And The Birds Did Sing

Recommended Age 12+

This is about living but it began with a death.

This is about existing and not existing, and a child’s heart-bursting belief that there is something in between.

This is about love.

Blending contemporary dance and storytelling, And the Birds Did Sing is an intimate solo dance theatre work, performed with an evocative soundtrack, poetic text and ethereal set design. Loosely structured around creator and performer Christine Devaney’s childhood memories, made in collaboration with musician Luke Sutherland and artist Yvonne Buskie, this work leads the audience on a poignant journey.

Personal in tone, And the Birds Did Sing speaks to universal human themes such as growing up, life and death, the passing of time and love. Holding a delicate balance between sadness and joy, this solo incorporates dance, spoken word, visuals, and music, with humour and tenderness. The work won a Herald Angel Award at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and was runner-up for the Scottish Arts Award.

‘a moving offering of a life marked by love and loss.’  ★★★★ The Scotsman
‘a poetic and elliptical evocation of childhood memories of loss and resilience.’ Fest Magazine
‘Poignantly poetic…exquisite’. ★★★★ The Herald

Choreographed, written and performed by Christine Devaney

Each performance will be followed by Staying On: an informal sharing of excerpts of work from invited artists. Co-curated by playwright and poet, Ellie Stewart, Staying On is an invitation for audiences to stay on for an informal celebration of regional talent: poems, prose, music, and song.

The Staying On artists for the performances on 22nd & 23rd of March will be:

Friday 22^nd March

Laura Bradshaw (CW: themes of loss in pregnancy and birth)

Jack Dickson (CW: one instance of strong language, themes of vascular dementia)

Rose Dagul

Saturday 23^rd March

Skye Loneragan

Howie Reeve

Dorine Mugisha

_{Supported by Creative Scotland
Image credit: Yvonne Buskie, graphics by Val Reid}