Kincorth Bridges of Light

On the evening of 23 November 2006, the banks of the River Dee sprung to life with a stunning evening show that used drama and light to illuminate two Aberdeen City bridges. 

Linked with the Arts Across the Curriculum project, pupils from Kincorth schools have been working with Allister Noble, a well known light artist from Brogan Arts, and art teacher Maggie Colquhoun, on an art and science project which has introduced pupils to modern energy saving light technology.

Pupils made a range of artifacts using light emitting diodes (LEDs) and low energy batteries, which included helium balloons that formed part of the display. Both sides of the riverbank between the King George VI Bridge and the Bridge of Dee were lit with a variety of low-tech devices. The bridges were also lit creating a spectacular arena of light along the riverbanks.

The idea for this evening of celebration and light was brought to life by the Arts Education Team with support from other Council services.

With the support of Councillor David Clyne's ward budget other pupils from the three Kincorth Primary Schools, Abbotswell, Craighill and Kirkhill worked with Poorboy Theatre Company to create a new promenade piece of theatre which was premiered on the night.

The piece below written by Cultural Co-ordinator Louise Baxter and Sandy Thomson, Artistic Director of Poorboy Theatre Company, tells us of the project from 'Working Day to Winter Extravaganza'.

'Poorboy Theatre Company were commissioned to work with three primary schools in the Kincorth area to dramatise, devise and produce a promenade performance based on encounters between pupils and older people during which the changing perceptions of Christmas were examined.

Grace Banks, a local Storyteller and Oral Historian, facilitated the reminiscence sessions between P7 pupils and older people from the Kincorth area and recorded some of the sessions. These recordings were passed on to Sandy Thomson, Director of Poorboy who used them as the basis for the devised piece. 

The spirit of Christmas for the children seemed to have very little to do with getting presents and much more about the people around them and the things that they and their families do together at that time of year. In sad contrast, there was one voice recorded by Grace, an elderly gentleman from the pensioners' group who mentioned quietly that he had no-one with him on Christmas Day last year. This contrast between the children's appreciation of family closeness and one man's loneliness helped to give shape to the narrative - A ghost from 70 years ago makes a journey back to be with his family on Christmas Day. This journey is aided by a little girl from the present day.

In preparation, each of the three schools were given a drama session which covered co-operation games, communication games, physical skills and drama skills.

One school specialised in singing, one in drumming and the third in percussion and verse speaking. Each school created the tableaux and set visual pieces in which the pupils would perform on the night.

This part of the work was completed in a single day…whew!!

Two of the schools, Craighill and Kirkhill also recorded radio plays that became the narrative and was played on the soundscape which was an essential part of the final performance. The soundscapes included the radio plays made by pupils, snatches of conversations recorded between pupils and older people and original music composed by a sound artist.

All 90 pupils from the three schools worked together for a whole day at a sports centre, to knit together all the scenes, singing, drumming, dancing, soundscapes and music.  The astonishing concentration and commitment shown by both pupils, teachers and assistants, enabled the performance to go ahead successfully with only one dress rehearsal on the riverbank.

The nature of the light show meant that the pupils would only see the lights, balloons and other installations on the night of the performance. I am pleased and proud that all of the young people gave a show without a single forgotten cue, missed line or forgotten direction. Professionals would have struggled to rival them.'