Stream: Ghost Light

National Theatre of Scotland 

Commissioned by Edinburgh International Festival 2020 – My Light Shines On

Conceived by Hope Dickson Leach this extraordinary piece of theatre is a love letter to Scotland during the pandemic. From an organisation which was conceived as ‘a theatre without walls’ this half hour production takes us into the backstage life of the Festival Theatre. Starting from an empty stage with just a few house- lights on to where on-stage theatres traditionally leave one stage light on whilst black. Who would have imagined a situation like this? Not since Shakespeare’s era has this happened. It will go down as an extraordinary moment in time and history will record how artists responded to this.

The National Theatre of Scotland has risen to the challenge. Repurposing previous works this online film takes you on a journey through every nook and cranny of a theatre from the empty auditorium to dressing rooms, wardrobe, wings and flies, prompt desk, front of house, each a venue for an extract from a previous production.  From James McArdle channelling Rona Munro’s James 1, to Afton Moran’s ‘Peter Pan’ as Tinkerbell is chased from the stage light to different spaces. Many extracts, where ‘fuck’ seems the go-to adjective of modern work, embrace comedy memory and modern angst. [Much like the use of 'bloody' in the 1963 film of Keith Waterhouse’s novel, 'Billy Liar'. Outrage!] This is a story of a theatre itself taking centre stage.

For me it was pure nostalgia. I love the spaces that no one ever sees. The dark and the warmth, bizarre costumes, and actors running their lines.  Beautifully filmed with perfect transitions, ending with Siobhan Redmond nailing it with ‘Waiting in the Wings’ by Jackie Kay. It is a triumph of invention and enjoyment. Where the opportunity to see actors working live is non-existent go watch this terrific piece.

Available for free on YouTube.