Scottish Gaelic First World War Play Goes on International Tour

The acclaimed Scottish Gaelic play ‘Sequamur’ portrays the grief and guilt of a headmaster who encouraged pupils to fight in World War I. Written by Isle of Lewis writer Donald S. Murray, it tells the poignant story of William J. Gibson, the headmaster of the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway (Scottish Gaelic: Steòrnabhagh) between 1894 and 1925. He struggled with his conscience and endured personal turmoil following the death of 148 of his own pupils. In 1932 William J. Gibson returned to Lewis (Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas) to unveil a memorial plaque for the 148 pupils who lost their lives during the four years of war. The play which has already been performed in various venues in Scotland is set to go on international tour following the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2015, visiting Ireland, London and Belgium. Sequamur, Latin for Let us Follow, is a 60-minute play performed in Gaelic, but is available to non-Gaelic speakers on live simultaneous translation via headphones.