The curtain will soon rise on the 2024 St Magnus International Festival, with an exciting programme of performances lined up, all set against the beautiful backdrop of midsummer in the islands.
The festival has been at the heart of the season since 1977, bringing events as varied as theatre, dance, literature, cabaret and music to venues across Orkney. Community is central to the festival’s ethos too, with education and learning opportunities forming an important part of the programme.
We’ve picked out some of our own highlights from this year’s line-up that would be well worth checking out if you’re visiting Orkney later this month.
Carve The Runes Then Be Content With Silence: Erland Cooper
This special concert in the stunning setting of St Magnus Cathedral marks the homecoming of Orcadian composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, Erland Cooper. He has released five acclaimed albums, including a trilogy of work inspired by his childhood home in Stromness. He’s also known for burying the only existing copy of the master tape of his first classical album in Orkney, and deleting all the digital files. The tape was found in 2023 and the album will be released exactly as it sounds from the earth, and this will be the Scottish premiere of the finished piece.
The Whale: Circo Rum Ba Ba
A giant from the ocean will arrive on land in Orkney during the festival. Circo Rum Ba Ba’s 50ft inflatable sperm whale will be one of the more unique venues this year, hosting a very special theatre show for young folk. Using puppets, comedy, and music, the team will explore the tales of sea creatures and their battle to survive in an ocean full of plastic.
Carmina Burana: Festival Chorus
Featuring the St Magnus Festival Chorus, this performance of one of the most iconic choral works of the 20th century will fill the Pickaquoy Centre venue with percussion and pianos. Carmina Burana has become increasingly well-known with some of its music being used in film and TV, and now a local audience will be able to enjoy its themes of the fickleness of fortune and wealth, the joy of the return of spring, and the pleasures and perils of gluttony, gambling, and lust.
The Bookbinder: Trick of the Light Theatre Company
This award-winning production brings a story of mystery, magic and mayhem to life on the stage. From pop-up book to puppetry, and storytelling to live action, this is an original dark fairytale in the vein of Neil Gaiman. It has toured across the world, from New Zealand to the United States, and comes from a company that likes to make theatre playful, inventive, and thought-provoking.
Magnus Mixtape: Morris Begg Duo & The Assembly Project
Back at St Magnus Cathedral, this promenade-style performance will transform the ancient building with music, video mapping, and special lighting. In an immersive experience with ever-changing musical performance, the audience can move around to see the cathedral as never before. The video mapping will explore the building’s history and the story of St Magnus too.
Invocations and Improvisations: Edinburgh Quartet & Alon Sariel
The St Ninian Kirk is found right on the edge of Orkney’s east mainland, a beautiful setting for this special performance. The Edinburgh Quartet will be joined by mandolin player, Alon Sariel, for a varied and fascinating programme, including inspiration from Mozart and songs from Spain and Banffshire. Music from Puccini and Shubert will round off a captivating collection.
These are just some of the many highlights to be found at this year’s St Magnus International Festival. View the full programme online and book your tickets now. The festival will be held across Orkney between the 21st and 29th June 2024.