Murmurations Is A Theatrical Tour Into Big Tree Country

Murmurations by Tangled Feet in association with Perth Theatre will take audiences on a theatrical tour into Big Tree Country.

Taking place along the Dunkeld House Tree Trail from Friday 13 until Sunday 15 October, the live show experienced through headphones has been specially written for locals and visitors to Perth and Kinross, to celebrate and explore the people, the area’s rich landscape, wildlife and species and the threats they are under.

Meet the birdwatchers whose marriage is under strain from work or the lack of it, a woman come to mourn the mother she never understood, the young guy torn between love of his community and making a living, the property developer here to make a killing, and the activist whose memory still haunts the peace - even your guide has a story to tell. Through live scenes and songs, poetry and physical theatre, comedy and tragedy, Murmurations explores what we need from nature and what nature needs from us.

Originally made in 2021 responding to two different nature reserves in the East of England, Murmurations was reworked for Teesmouth National Nature Reserve as part of Hartlepool Waterfront Festival in July 2022. Reimagined for the Havering area last month and now specially re-written for Perth and Kinross. The production brings together outdoor theatre experts Tangled Feet, with its long history of site-specific and site-responsive work, with playwright and academic Steve Waters (The Contingency Plan) in a collaboration that explores the importance on the natural world on all our lives, and particularly in the time of Covid. An original score has been written by Polly Wight, whose 2019 album Sing as the Crow Flies was picked as one of The Guardian’s Albums of the Year, Murmurations is directed by Nathan Curry with sound design by Guy Connelly.

Director Nathan Curry said:

“We are thrilled to be re-staging Murmurations in Dunkeld in collaboration with Perth Theatre and Concert Hall this October. An historic site, where the forest meets the river, the Dunkeld House Tree Trail is an incredible setting for the stories that spring from the natural surroundings. The writer, Steve Waters, has adapted the play to take in the local wildlife, people and the threats they are under. His characters explore the importance of the area, the many aspects of the dualling of the A9, the search for new homes (for humans and animals) and the way in we reach for nature in times for crisis. Murmurations explores how defending the natural world often collides with personal cost and sometimes protecting the smallest things is the place to start. We are excited to partner with Perth Theatre and Concert Hall to bring with unique production in beautiful location and can promise a surprising piece of theatre experienced on silent disco headphones in the middle of glorious nature!"

Murmurations leaves from the Dunkeld and Birnam Community Archive at 10:30, 12:30 and 14:30 on Friday 13, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October. Buses from Perth Theatre can be booked when buying tickets. For tickets and info click here or call or visit the Perth Theatre Box Office – 01738 621031 (10:00 – 16:00 Monday to Saturday).

Friday 15 September 2023