Orcadian Stories – George Rendall: The Rive Gauche

The second film in the Orcadian Stories interview series is now available to watch on YouTube via The Orkney News Channel – George Rendall: The Rive Gauche.

In this film, former Secretary and Chairman of the St. Magnus Festival, George Rendall, tells some stories of his time with the Festival. George also reflects upon how his experiences working with the Festival committee from the time of its inception influenced his thinking. Founders of the Festival included composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and Orcadian teacher and writer Archie Bevan.

“When I got involved with the Festival, and Archie Bevan, I guess the Stromness end – the “rive gauche” of Orkney – I was amazed Archie was so adamant that there be local involvement, and we have a local drama… to me that was almost like heresy!”

George Rendall, Orcadian Stories – The Rive Gauche

Filmed and edited by Martin Laird, researched by Fiona Grahame, and produced by Orkney News Ltd, Orcadian Stories is a series of short filmed interviews of people who have played a part in creating a cultural legacy for Orkney. The films focus on individuals telling their stories, and include original theme music composed by Orkney musician Eamonn Keyes (based upon the sound of a spinning radio televisor).

Orcadian Stories has been supported by the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund. This fund is being delivered in partnership between VisitScotland and Museums Galleries Scotland with support from National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players. 

An exhibition of portrait photos of the interviewees from the Orcadian Stories series will open at Northlight Gallery at 11am on Saturday the 26th of November. This exhibition is being held in conjunction with St. Andrews Fair Saturday, which exists as an antidote to the rampant consumerism of Black Friday. Fair Saturday events raise money for charity, and the Orcadian Stories portrait exhibition will be raising funds for Orkney Rape and Sexual Assault Service.