Grit
Theatre Production
Director
Written by Kieran Hurley
★★★★
“A brilliantly coherent combination of narrative, music, dance, acrobatics and projected imagery. It stands in a Scottish tradition of multiform, event theatre.”
- The Telegraph
An ambitious cross-form, Scots-Canadian site-specific production based on the inspiring life and music of one of Scotland’s most innovative, pioneering and influential musicians; the tragically late Martyn Bennett.
Reflecting Martyn’s own Scots-Canadian heritage, GRIT: The Martyn Bennett Story was an exciting International collaboration with Canada’s renowned choreographer Dana Gingras (of Animals of Distinction) and some of Canada’s finest circus artists who worked alongside an ensemble of Scotland’s dance and aerial artists, actors, live folk singers, and classical musicians, whilst of course featuring Martyn’s groundbreaking dance music in it’s original form.
This production told the painful yet inspiring story of a young man’s phenomenal musical imagination, and his fierce fight against the cancer which ultimately robbed him of his short life at 33. His passion, his fierce love of life, music, the country and people who inspired his ground breaking creations were evoked and explored visually, physically and immersively in this highly ambitious musical adventure.
“It’s not how long you live, it’s what you do with the time you’ve got.”
★★★★
“An irresistible show, borne along on a fine central performance from the great Sandy Grierson as Bennett. If you’re searching for political or emotional subtlety, you won’t find it here. You will, though, experience the raw power of a moment when Scottish culture changed for good, combining a new pride in its past with a hugely dynamic sense of its creative future.”
- The Scotsman
Event of the Year
2015 Scots Trad Music Awards
Backstage
In the media
Martyn Bennett's musical legacy remembered in new show.
BBC Scotland’s arts correspondent Pauline McLean reports on GRIT
Photo: BBC
Martyn Bennett story should tour world
Cora talks to The Scotsman about GRIT. “When I listen to Martyn’s music, it just shrieks of physicality and visuals…”
Daily Record article
Award-winning director Cora Bissett on play about life of maverick musician Martyn Bennett and his battle with cancer
The Scotsman
New show celebrates fusion pioneer Martyn Bennett
The Herald
Celebrating a musician whose short life was lived to the full
Daily Record
Glasgow Girls director Cora Bissett is to bring the tragic story of piping star Martyn Bennett to the stage
Photo: Daily Record
Cast
Sandy Grierson   
Hannah Donaldson   
Gerda Stevenson   
Creative Team
Directed by   Cora Bissett   
Written by   Kieran Hurley   
Acrobatic Director   Andrew Watson   
Choreographer   Dana Gingras   
Costume Design and Wardrobe   Jess Worall   
Set and Lighting Designer   Kai Fischer   
Sound Design   Garry Boyle   
AV Design   Kim Beveridge   
Produced by Pachamama Productions.
Dancers
Shay Kuebler   
Guilia Montalbano   
Ruth Mills   
Trapeze Artist   Maxime Yelle   
Pole Artist   Steve Ryan   
Production Team
Producer for Pachamama   David McDonald   
International Producer   Richard Jordan   
Production Manager   John Wilkie   
Artistic Director, Tramway   Tim Nunn   
Artistic Director, Mull   Alasdair McCrone   
Chief Executive, Mull   Caroline Winn   
Sound Engineer   Garry Boyle   
Stage Manager   Sarah Scarlett   
Assistant Stage Manager   Dougal Gudim   
Production Electrician   Malcolm Rogan   
Vertical Dance Advisor   Kate Lawrence   
BJ Stewart   Photographer