The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and National Theatre of Scotland will present a very special Talk Show featuring an online discussion inspired by the acclaimed novel And The Land Lay Still.
Winner of the Saltire Society Scottish Book of the Year 2010, And The Land Lay Still was heralded by the Sunday Times on publication as ‘powerful and moving. A brilliant and multifaceted saga of Scottish life in the second half of the twentieth century’.
It is a panoramic exploration of late 20th Century through the eyes of author James Robertson’s characters; natives, immigrants, journalists and politicians, drop-outs and spooks, making their way in a rapidly changing country.
Ten years on from publication, The Lyceum brings together author James Robertson and Playwright Peter Arnott, who is developing a stage adaptation of the novel. They will be joined by Lyceum Artistic Director David Greig, campaigner and activist Amal Azzudin, arts and politics journalist for The Scotsman Joyce McMillan, and National Theatre of Scotland Dramaturg, Rosie Kellagher to discuss the living memory of Scotland explored in James’ novel, the changes in the decade since its publication, the future of Scotland, and the role art and imagination plays in shaping our Nation’s story.
This Lively discussion will be interspersed by musical interludes from one of Scotland’s beloved folk singers, Mairi Campbell, and dramatic extracts of Peter Arnott’s stage adaptation, commissioned by National Theatre of Scotland.
The Lyceum’s Artistic Director David Greig said: “And The Land Lay Still is a book that I’m passionate about. It describes a crucial, often overlooked, time in Scottish life and history, the radical politics of the 1970’s and 80’s; the pre-devolutionary period. These were the times and people that planted the seeds of everything we’re living through now. James Robertson is a deeply thoughtful and imaginative writer whose work is beloved across the Scottish political spectrum, I’m looking forward to exploring the book with him, and a fantastic panel and looking at the cultural and political forces which shaped Scotland then, and which shape Scotland now, on the eve of the Scottish Election.”
Streaming online for 48hrs from 7:30pm 5 May 2021. Pay What You Can Tickets are on sale here
