Empire Theatre, Eden Court, 24 October 2008

Simon MacKenzie

THE EVENING was billed as a ‘celebration’ of Simon Mackenzie’s life and work, and that it certainly was – there were tears in the house, but most of them were caused by laughter rather than mourning.

Simon Mackenzie (1949-2008) was one of Gaeldom’s best known actors and the most ardent of Gaelic’s supporters in the 20th century, and in an evening of poetry, drama, song and music the audience was presented with a snapshot of the man, his work and his impact on the world of Gaelic drama and music.

The evening was held to launch the new Simon Mackenzie Trust which will continue to support Simon’s vision for Gaelic drama by supporting young Gaelic actors.

The almost sold-out production, co-produced by Pròiseict nan Ealain and Highland and Islands Theatre Network and hosted bilingually by John Carmichael and Dolina Maclennan, featured a high profile line-up of artists and writers, linked by read memories of Simon from his friends and colleagues.

His impact on Gaelic drama was echoed in a brand new and hilarious comedy piece written for the evening and performed by well known Gaelic actors Carina Nicleoid and Daibhidh Walker. Even non-Gaelic speakers were able to get the ‘jist’ of proceedings through the easy switching from Gaelic to English from both actors.

Similarly understandable, and continuing the comic theme, was the monologue by Gaelic TV ‘doyenne’ , Seasaidh Lexy, resplendent in red spangles and stories of self-peeling prawns and designer body parts, which was guaranteed to cause hoots of laughter from most of the audience, and almost a ‘sharp intake of breath’ from the rest. Simon would have approved.

Simon Mackenzie liked nothing more than a good old fashioned cèilidh, and Gaelic poet Angus Peter Campbell read a new piece he wrote for the evening, entitled ‘An Ceilidh’ – The Ceilidh, placing Sìm watching over the evening and enjoying every minute of it.

The musical line up included moving and appropriate performances from many of Gaeldom finest singers and musicians including Allan Macdonald, Art Cormack, Johnny Hardie, Andy Thorburn, Rona Lightfoot, Ishbel Macaskill, Alyth Macormack, Christine Primrose and Jenna Cumming.

Alyth’s songs included the fine lament,’A’Chaoidh Mhic’Im Shimidh,’ taught to her by Simon when she first went to him for advice on her acting career. Art gave a performance of one of Sim’s favourite songs, ‘A’Pheigi a ghràidh’, that had the audience both joining in and remembering past shared cèilidhs and parties.

Rona Lightfoot’s duet with Allan MacDonald on pipes and cainntearachd (vocal method for orally transmitting pipe tunes) reminded us of Simon’s love for the classical pipe tradition. Sim was also very fond of classical music and opera in particular, and a most moving performance was given by Inverness born opera singer Harry Nicoll, who is not heard often enough in his home pairts.

Visually reminding us of the man himself and his past projects was the backdrop of clips of some of his many TV and stage appearances, closely complemented by moving memories of Sim from his friends, including Cathy Ann Macphee, one of his first prodigies. Sim started Cathy Ann on her acting and singing career through his work with the Fir Chlis stage company, and Cathy Ann acknowledged the invaluable support he gave her in her fledgling career to become one of the world’s best loved Gaelic singers and actresses.

‘Celebrating Simon’ was a night of music and memories of one of Nature’s gentlemen, and although there were a few tears, they were of love and warmth. Sim, the Man and the Actor, would have been delighted and honoured. He would be equally thrilled that the Trust now set up will continue his work in supporting young Gaelic actors in both TV and stage work.

© Fiona MacKenzie, 2008

Links

• Fiona MacKenzie