The National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to be taking part in the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics 2022.

On Saturday 13 August, the Company will present a live rehearsed reading of Holding/Holding On, scripted by playwright Nicola McCartney in collaboration with care experienced people and those within the care system. Holding/Holding On was originally commissioned as part of the National Theatre of Scotland’s Care in Contemporary Scotland – A Creative Enquiry programme.

Nicola McCartney’s creative enquiry into Scotland’s care system followed on from the Independent Care Review published in 2020 and at its centre, The Promise, a commitment to implement change demanded by the review to ensure that all children grow up ‘loved, safe and respected.’ As part of her creative process, Nicola, who brings many years of experience as a foster carer, met with young people and professionals from across the care system and listened to their stories. In a series of thought-provoking scenes and interventions Holding/Holding On interrogates how society treats those in care, those who are care experienced and the experience of the carers.

Holding/Holding On is directed by Claire Lamont and performed by Maureen Carr, Daniel Cahill, Callum Cuthbertson, Brooklyn Melvin, Yolanda Kettle and Saskia Ashdown. 

Following the reading, a panel discussion, Care, Love and Understanding? will explore the way society treats and views young people and adults in the Scottish care system. Panellists include Kenneth Murray, Nicola McCartney and Ryan McCuaig.

National Theatre of Scotland’s Portraits of an LGBTI+ Generation exhibition will be displayed throughout the Festival in the Cafe Bar. The exhibition celebrates National Theatre of Scotland’s LGBTI+ Elders Social Dance Club members. The LGBTI+ Elders Social Dance Clubs were presented monthly from 2019 to 2021 as part of The Coming Back Out Ball, a multi-event celebration of lesbian, gay bisexual, trans and gender diverse and intersex elders in Scotland.  

Tiu Makkonen was photographer in residence with The Coming Back Out Ball and along with filmmakers Graeme Roger and Ania Urbanowska they created this new multimedia exhibition in collaboration with the Dance Club members. This series of portraits of Scottish LGBTI + Elders reflects their own personal experiences and gives a sense of the rich and remarkable lives of the many LGBTI+ elders living across Scotland. 

On Saturday 13 Aug, a panel discussion, LGBTI+ Elder Care will ask if the care profession is offering safe and respectful environments for all sexualities. Chaired by Emma Roddick MSP, panellists include Karen Hedge, Dr Rebecca Crowther and Colin Mitchell.

The Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics runs from 11 - 13 August 2022 in the iconic surroundings of the Parliament and online.

Portraits of an LGBTI+ Generation is a National Theatre of Scotland and All The Queens Men co-production, in partnership with Eden Court and Luminate in association with Glasgow City Council

Full information here