The streets of the Granite City are lined with sparkling blocks of its namesake.
Now, the sturdy rock is to become the inspiration for theatre performances across Aberdeen as part of a project that aims to bring its streets to life.
People who live in the north-east are being called on to take part in a major new arts project – aptly named Granite – which will celebrate all that is great and good about the place they live.
From September, a team of professionals from the National Theatre of Scotland will settle in Aberdeen for eight months and work alongside Aberdeen City Council to produce a programme of performances, interactive multimedia installations and events that, they say, will tell the story of the city.
In April next year, Granite – sponsored by Deloitte – will culminate in a series of “large-scale” performances within the quadrangle of Marischal College.
Aberdeen Performing Arts, ACT Aberdeen, Citymoves Dance Agency, SHMU and Aberdeen University’s Department of Music are already signed up to take part.
Laurie Sansom, Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Scotland, said there was no question that the theme of the project would be granite, celebrating the stone from which the city is built and upon which it has built its global reputation.
“I can’t wait to see how Aberdeen chooses to tell its story, and how its people will come together to celebrate this unique and vibrant city,” he said.
National Theatre of Scotland associate director, Simon Sharkey, will lead the project, joined by a team which includes costume and set designer Becky Minto, who worked at the 2014 Commonwealth Games Ceremonies, and video artist Graeme Roger, the Culloden Battlefield artist in residence.
It will be supported by Aberdeen Inspired, Balmoral Group, Mackie’s of Scotland and Creative Scotland.
Lord Provost of Aberdeen, George Adam, said Granite would provide a “fabulous opportunity” to tell Aberdeen’s “unique” story.
“Granite will showcase and celebrate the talent already in the city and encourage others to get involved and I am sure that this project will confirm Aberdeen’s place on the cultural map and inspire even greater artistic ambition in the city,” he said.
Details of how to participate can be found at www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/granite