Elsa Jean McTaggart and Gary Lister’s Caledonia is the perfect musical escape for those wanting a break from the amazing, yet albeit emotionally heavy, material that some of the shows at this year’s Fringe have to offer.
This 45-minute performance promises light-hearted, humorous commentary from McTaggart and Lister as they transport listeners temporally through key periods in Scottish folk history.
What stood out to me most about this performance was the sheer musical talent that the pair demonstrated. McTaggart’s virtuous commanding of two penny whistles, her ethereal fiddle playing, and both the musician’s impressive vocal harmonisations added to the sense of authenticity that this performance delivered. As the pair experimented with a wide scope of instrumentation – ranging from bagpipes to the acoustic guitar to the fiddle — the audience were kept excited, and engaged in this exploration of Scotland’s historical entanglement with the folk genre.
McTaggart and Lister’s energy was infectious. As they engaged the audience through questions, encouraged sing-alongs and even at one point invited a couple on stage to dance to a ceilidh tune, the atmosphere boasted inclusivity. Accompanied by the visual display behind the musicians, showing bullet pointed information on key Scottish artists, and most importantly, the lyrics to the all-time favourite, Dougie MacLean’s ‘Caledonia’, any gap between Scottish and non-Scottish audience members was closed. Whether you knew these classics and the stories behind them or not, the accessibility that readable lyrics and the pair’s humorous storytelling provided ensured the music could be appreciated and enjoyed by everyone.
I would highly recommend this performance to anyone interested in learning something new about the roots of Scottish folk, or those simply craving a sing-along to the tunes of Jimmy Shand, The Corries and many others! McTaggart and Lister captivate the audience through their skilful musicianship and impressive commanding of the stage and space, making this performance a must-see for folk lovers.
Caledonia is running until August 29 at Flemming Theatre at thespace, Surgeon’s Hall. Buy tickets here.
Image credits to Brooke Balentine on Unsplash.
