Isla Robertson, A Discussion On Audio Drama
4th May – 9th May 2023
Aros Park Group Walk Friday 5 May 4.30pm
Evening event Friday 5 May 6.00 -7.30pm
Isla’s How To Swim is an audio play about how much a place can mean to us, both when we’re local to it and when we’re visiting. Her work-in-progress sharing will offer visitors a chance to listen to sections of the soundscape (recorded on Mull) and to read extracts from the developing script which explores the drama between the two main characters, Graham and Kate, who discover that they have different visions for what should happen to a place special to them both.
As part of Isla’s week, there will be an opportunity to take audio from the developing drama out with you on a walk to a beautiful place near An Tobar and listen to the soundscape in situ.
On Friday 5 May you’re invited to an evening round table with Isla at An Tobar. We’ll be discussing the experience of engaging with audio drama while in the outdoors and the content of How to Swim, which includes themes of renewable energy, rural tourism and loss.
How To Swim by Isla Robertson - a work in progress sharing
How To Swim is an audio play which explores community energy and tourism in a small highland and island community. The setting is fictional but takes inspiration from many of the beautiful places around here. I have been writing it as part of my work as an associate artist at Mull Theatre where I have also been developing my sound recording skills.
In addition to the three extracts available to listen to in the room at An Tobar, this QR code will take you to a website page where you can download a twenty minute audio file I created for this work in progress sharing. It contains an introduction, a monologue from each of the two main characters and a guided soundscape of the loch. All the sounds included have been recorded by myself on Mull or in Morvern.
It is designed to be listened whilst walking around a loch and although you are welcome to listen to it anywhere, for this sharing I have designed it to be listened to as you walk around Aros Park, near Tobermory. On Friday 5th May we will be having a group walk around Aros Park, meeting at the sign in the carpark at 4.30pm. This will be followed by a discussion in An Tobar at 6pm on Friday 5th May. We warmly welcome you all to join and I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the work, about your experience of listening to the audio at the loch and about audio drama generally.
We ask that you download the audio file onto your own device in advance to prevent there being any issues with signal at the loch and that you bring your own headphones to listen to it. Please also remember to watch for any hazards or uneven ground as you move around whilst listening. Forestry and Land Scotland describes the walk as having a largely smooth and wide gravel surface although there are some uneven sections and exposed tree roots. The path is generally flat with a short steep slope down to the lochan and it includes a bridge and some steps. Some parts may be muddy. The route is 1 mile (1.7km) and we recommend allowing half an hour. There are picnic benches at the carpark if you would prefer to sit near the loch whilst you listen. If you are not able to join on Friday afternoon, this map should help you find the route around the loch and if you have any questions, please just ask. Thank you.