Legendary Scots singer Barbara Dickson last night performed in a critically-acclaimed production hosted in Inverness to commemorate the centenary of WWI.
Forming part of Scotland’s Armistice centenary programme, Far, Far From Ypres uses the songs of the trenches to tell the story of the Scottish war effort.
It is touring 10 venues across the country throughout the centenary of the final hundred days of the war, and was staged last night at Eden Court Theatre in the Highland capital.
The tour is being delivered by WW100 Scotland in partnership with Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland.
The show was devised, written and produced by Ian McCalman of folk group The McCalmans to highlight the unique insight the songs offer into the life of a soldier.
It shares the hope, suffering, endurance and fear associated with the war through the eyes of fictional, prototypical soldier, Jimmy MacDonald.
Like many young men, Jimmy is full of enthusiasm and joins up right away, however, when he is sent to the Flanders trenches he begins to experience the true horrors of war.
Ian McCalman said: “During the war, soldiers sang together to bond and alleviate fear, sharing songs from contemporary music halls as well as creating their own.
“However, looking back on the music of the war today, we can see how attitudes towards the conflict changed over its course. From the early, jingoistic songs that promoted recruitment and betrayed an innocence about the reality of war, through to the resignation, black humour and resentment present in the later songs, the progression reflects the bitterness which grew among troops as they became disenchanted.”
The cast of 26 performers include Scottish folk scene favourites such as Barbara Dickson, Siobhan Miller, Dick Gaughan, Ian McCalman, Iain Anderson, Professor Gary West, Stephen Quigg and Ian Bruce.
Professor Norman Drummond, chair of the Scottish Commemorations Panel, said: “By the end of the war, thousands of men from Scotland had gone valiantly to the frontline, a high proportion of whom never returned.
“For many survivors, devastating injuries and the trauma of war changed their lives forever, while the nation as a whole grieved the vast loss of loved ones.
“It is vital that we continue to commemorate these losses today, and the Far, Far From Ypres tour, a key part of Scotland’s Armistice centenary programme, will carry this message to people of all ages across the country as we encourage families to attend with all generations in tow for what will be a highly moving and educational experience.”
