Building on the success of the 2005 and 2006 Nairn Community Celebration’s Projects aimed at young people in Nairn to develop their event management and performance skills as part of the Scottish Year of Highland Culture, this year’s winter lights switch on is gearing up to provide another unforgettable evening on Friday 30 November.

It will see the centre of Nairn transformed into the magical Kingdom of ‘NAIRNIA’ featuring live music, giant effigies, street performers and an epic, climatic battle between Aslan, the White Witch and their respective supporters in Rosebank Square involving over 400 participants.

Auditions for the central children’s parts of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy saw young hopefuls attended a workshop last week run by Alastair McDonald, the Project’s Co-ordinator who had the difficult task of choosing who should play the four latter day heroes.

Alastair commented, ‘There’s so much talent and enthusiasm around and with Mellow Yellow Creative Arts, we have in Nairn an excellent vehicle for young people to develop that talent. The four I’ve chosen not only look the part but are already getting under the skin of the characters, discovering what makes them tick. None of them seem phased by the daunting prospect of performing in front of so many people on Friday and I’m confident Marcus Muir, Kirsty Anniss, John Hay and Megan Fairley will do us proud.’

The four Nairn Academy pupils will be performing along side professional street artistes from te POOKa, Scotland’s pre-eminent outdoor performing arts company, chosen for their stilt walking skills. Mat Clements, the Procession Director explained, ‘With over 3,000 people expected on Friday evening on the streets of Nairn, it’s important that the main characters are seen and what better way of ensuring this than to have them up high, above the crowds, on stilts. Mr Tumness, the fawn is a heaven sent character for the powerskip style of stilts, where a skilled performer can bounce around and even do summersaults!’

The performers are made up of community and schools groups from throughout Nairnshire. Expect to see the White Witch, Queen of Nairnia aboard her chariot, with her army, Mr Tumness, Aslan and his faithful followers, the now legendary percussion and brass carnival street band, frozen portable trees, the odd lamp post, a giant effigy of Aslan, cheerleading reindeer, Belenos and Nairn fire twirlers, the Howlin’ Gael, Nairn and Charleston Pipes and Drums, Nairn Gaelic Choir and Nairn Belly Dance group, who have been rehearsing with live drummers to add an exotic touch to the proceedings.

It all begins at 5.45pm at the bottom of the High Street, where Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are discovered… in a wardrobe wearing fur coats. From there they begin their journey through NAIRNIA meeting all manner of strange characters along the way, past the Court House, where the Provost of Nairn, Councillor Liz MacDonald will join the fun for the winter lights switch on, before battle commences in Rosebank Square.

But a somber word of warning from organising group INSPIRE’s Shiobhan Rushforth, ‘I can’t wait for Friday but I recommend that folk coming to see NAIRNIA wrap up warm because you never know what the weather may do. After all it is winter. It might even snow!’ she said with a twinkle in her eye.

The Project has attracted welcome financial support from Highland 2007, Leader +, The Highland Council, HIE Inverness and East Highland through Hi-Arts and the Association of Nairn Businesses to deliver the winter celebration in Nairn as a contribution towards Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland Culture.

Not to be outdone, the business community’s involved too, with local shops staying open late and staff dressing up in NAIRNIA costumes, with prizes being awarded for the best dressed window and staff member.

And the fun doesn’t end there. The brand new Nairn Community Centre hosts the climax to the Project with a Ceilidh Dance featuring NAIRNIA participants, the Elastic Ceilidh Band and topping the bill, the riotous Orkestra del Sol, some of whose members are involved in the procession. These high energy, maverick troubadours, fresh from their summer festival triumphs, are sure to hit the stage with the swagger of a Balkan wedding band and the flare of Latin ballroom. Be prepared to dance!

Tickets are available from MacRae’s Travel Agency, 65 High Street Nairn and on line through www.thebooth.co.uk  
For more information and photo ops, contact Alastair McDonald on:
0781 303 7883 and alastair@artsaction.co.uk