Memories of Alness community play The Cruikit Rainbow wanted
DO you remember The Cruikit Rainbow?
If you live in the Cromarty Firth ward area, remember the days of the aluminium smelter and have any interest in the arts, chances are you will.
In 1990, the community of Alness produced a hugely successful play of that name. The Cruikit Rainbow, performed by local people, was staged in the town’s Averon Centre.
It reflected historical and mythical events from the area, including the closing of the aluminium smelter. The Cruikit Rainbow has been described as a celebratory play about the community, by the community and for the community.
Over a period of several months the play was researched, written and directed by Alan Cameron and Nick Fearne.
Since then, Alan has worked all over Scotland, had a 10-year spell as a drama lecturer and latterly set up and ran a charity called Stand Easy. Its objective is to work with participants with mental health issues such as post traumatic stress and excessive anxiety and they support their recovery through involving them in drama activities.
A couple of years after the play, Nick became arts officer with Ross and Cromarty District Council followed by stints in various capacities in Aberdeen, Moray and Evanton.
Technically retired, he works on a freelance basis in the area, including weekly sessions of Just Act at Eden Court Theatre.
Alan is now more or less retired and has just finished the first series of a podcast on Podbean, called ‘Community Theatre – Who needs It?’. For one episode in the second series he would love to get together a small group of Cruikit Rainbow participants to have a conversation about what it was like working on the community play – from its very small beginnings to its sell-out performances.
This could be in person, or, if some of you live far away now, the episode could be recorded via a Zoom meeting. The important thing is, if you were involved in the production in any way, do please get in touch with Alan and he will take it from there. You can contact him at: alanc658@aol.com.
