A dram of whisky, kilts, sporrans and a dramatic reciting of Rabbie Burns’ great Tam O'Shanter meet Scottish folk music, masterpieces inspired by the beauty of Scotland and a sing-along performance of his world-famous Auld Lang Syne. Let’s celebrate Robert Burns with a real Hootenanny – a Scottish party of words, music and song! Tonight’s musical programme includes the most haunting Scottish melodies ever composed: Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ Farewell to Stromness, Percy Grainger’s Scotch Strathspey and Reel and a special arrangement of Burn’s epic ghost story Tam O’ Shanter for narrator and piano by George William Warren – by intimate candlelight. Award-winning concert pianist Matthew Shiel and renowned author Alastair Sim meet alongside a digital art exhibition and lightshow designed by acclaimed Chinese artist and Disney illustrator Emma Yitong Shen – to create an immersive musical experience which the press are calling “a ripping good yarn. 5 stars!” Tonight’s show also invites you and our audience to join us in community renditions of our most treasured Scottish songs including The Skye Boat Song, Scotland the Brave and Auld Lang Syne.
“The absolute highlight of the night was when Sim declaimed Burns’ epic poem “Tam o’ Shanter”: all about witches, demons, and a haunted, hectic horse ride. Sim would read several stanzas and then pause while Shiel punctuated the performance from selections from a “Tam o’ Shanter” musical arrangement, making for a ripping good yarn.”
“Sim and Shiel both are masters of their crafts.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Binge Fringe Magazine
"Truly, Shiel and Sim can pride themselves on creating an atmosphere which is all too often missed in our digital world.”
“Moonlight can pride itself on designing an evening of authentic stories and skilful narration.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Corr Blimey
