Three Scottish comedians are to create and stage work celebrating the artist and writer Alasdair Gray.
The performances by Alan Bissett, Ashley Storrie and Christopher Macarthur-Boyd were announced alongside a new partnership between the Glasgow International Comedy Festival and the Alasdair Gray Archive.
It also forms part of the wider Glasgow 850 Festival programme.
Ashley, daughter of comedian Janey Godley, told STV News: “I’m tasked with making some sort of digital show around his work – it’s just really exciting to put his work in front of eyes that maybe haven’t got to see it.
“I guess the whole work and the project is around really celebrating the city and its more expansive form. The three comedic interpretations will be looking at that from different perspectives.
“So yeah, it’s a really wonderful opportunity to sort of celebrate his work, but use it as a springboard to support other creative interpretations from it as well.”
All three comedians were invited to spend time at The Alasdair Gray Archive in Glasgow, researching his words, images and art and speaking to its Custodian Sorcha Dallas as part of their research to create their shows.
Alan Bissett will create the scripted response, delving into the story of when Alasdair Gray met another Glasgow icon, Billy Connolly, at the launch of Gray’s debut novel, LANARK, inspired by a photo of the meeting in the Archive.
Ashley’s digital response will centre around his striking murals throughout the city, while Christopher has been awarded the stand-up commission. His work will focus on stories about the characters in Gray’s work.
Christopher said: “I don’t think some people realise he was an absolute world-class artist and writer – he was absolutely amazing, and it’s important to remember him.”
The Glasgow International Comedy Festival will celebrate Glasgow as the “funniest city in the world” from March 12-30.
Sorcha Dallas, custodian at The Alasdair Gray Archive, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Glasgow International Comedy Festival on three new comedic responses to our collection in a seminal year with Glasgow 850, Alasdair Gray’s 90th and our own fifth birthday.
“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate than commissioning Alan Bissett, Ashley Storrie and Christopher Macarthur-Boyd to respond to our collection and create new work that will bring Alasdair’s work to wider attention.
“Alasdair had a socially-focused practice and we champion this through working with others, most notably here with GICF and our joint ongoing commitment to diversifying the arts in Scotland.”
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