Theatre Gu Leòr has announced its new production An t-Ùrlar as Àirde as part of celebrations marking 10 years of Scotland’s leading Gaelic theatre company.
Directed by Theatre Gu Leòr Associate Artist, playwright and performer Màiri Morrison, the production will tour South Uist, Skye, Inverness, Stornoway and Glasgow from 30 September to 13 November 2026.
The title, meaning “The Highest Stage”, is drawn from the company’s 2016 production Shrapnel and references themes of aspiration and ambition rooted in Gaelic culture and language.
The production will bring together extracts from four landmark Theatre Gu Leòr productions: Shrapnel (2016), Bana-Ghaisgich (2019), Stornoway, Quebec (2023) and Taigh Tŷ Teach (2024).
Performed entirely in Gaelic by an ensemble of five actors against a minimalist backdrop, the show has been designed as a celebration of the company’s artistic journey and its contribution to Gaelic theatre over the last decade. English synopses will be provided to audiences in advance of performances.
The tour opens at Cnoc Soilleir in South Uist on 30 September before visiting Las Portree in Skye, Eden Court in Inverness, An Lanntair in Stornoway and concluding at Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre on 13 November.
The production aims to reconnect with Gaelic audiences across Scotland, from fluent speakers and learners to supporters of the language, while exploring the future direction of Gaelic theatre.
Director Màiri Morrison said: “Having a theatre company dedicated to working in Gaelic is vital to our indigenous language. Theatre gu Leòr have supported, and invested in, many cast and crew over their 10 years and have always been committed to skills development. I’ve worked with them since their early productions primarily as an actress but more recently as a writer too and I couldn’t be happier to now be directing my first Theatre gu Leòr play!”
Company Manager Rhona NicDhùghaill said: “While there is greater awareness and support for Gaelic today, we still face huge challenges and the language is still endangered – so it’s essential that companies like Theatre Gu Leòr exist, making new work, providing development and employment opportunities, and connecting with audiences. Huge credit should go to founding Artistic Director Muireann Kelly, who led the company until 2024, and to Creative Director Seona McClintock who picked up the baton and secured continuing multiyear funding from Creative Scotland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig. We’ve been lucky to work with so many wonderful Gaelic artists over the years, and it’s fantastic to have many of them involved with An t-Ùrlar as Àirde. None of this would be possible without them.”
Theatre Gu Leòr began as a collaboration between actor Muireann Kelly and performer and writer Catrìona Lexy Chaimbeul before becoming a formally established company in 2016. Since then it has become a leading force in Gaelic theatre, supported by Creative Scotland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
