Pachamama Productions is delighted to announce that GRIT: The Martyn Bennett Story has been shortlisted for Event of the Year at the 2014 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.
The shortlist for the prestigious awards was announced following weeks of anticipation and thousands of nominations from the public, with the grand unveiling of the winners taking place at a glittering awards ceremony in Inverness on Saturday 13 December.
This production told the painful yet inspiring story of a young man’s phenomenal musical imagination, and his fierce fight against the cancer which ultimately robbed him of his short life at 33. His passion, his fierce love of life, music, the country and people who inspired his ground breaking creations were evoked and explored visually, physically and immersively in this highly ambitious musical adventure.
Directed by Cora Bissett and written by one of Scotland's brightest writing talents, Kieran Hurley, in collaboration with Cora and the company, GRIT: The Martyn Bennett Story showcased at Glasgow’s Tramway and Druimfin, Mull in the summer, as part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme.
The production received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike for its visually spectacular theatrical exploration of one of Scotland's most innovative musical maverick visionaries, which saw world-class trapeze artists and stunning choreography by Montreal-based choreographer Dana Gingras come together to create a visual extravaganza, set against the backdrop of Martyn's legendary dance music in its original form.
Commenting on the nomination, Cora Bissett said:
Martyn was a phenomenal creative force, making music which was way ahead of its time and it was fantastic to present his story to a whole new generation who may not have been aware of the work he produced in the short life he had. We were overwhelmed by the audience response to the run in the summer and it is just amazing to see people moved so much by Martyn’s music and story and its an honour that the audience have nominated the production for the event of the year. I am very excited to be joining such amazing talents at what is the most prestigious event in the traditional music calendar in December and look forward to hearing the results!
The poll is now open for the public to register their votes for the winners. To vote for GRIT: The Martyn Bennett Story to win the Event of the Year category visit: http://projects.scottishcultureonline.com/scotstradmusicawards/voting/