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   

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