'No Pseudo Indy Debate' bore the legend scrawled onto a small blackboard slammed on the upstairs bar of Glasgow's best-connected West End hostelry as a pair of punters bordered on the verge of a square go last night.
While such an accessory may prove essential for all pub landlords between now and September, the blackboard was actually displaying one of a series of punchlines that made up writer Cat Hepburn's contribution to the National Theatre of Scotland's marathon twenty-four hour online extravaganza of bite-size works inspired by the forthcoming referendum on Scottish independence.
Downstairs, some twelve other playlets were performed live to camera and broadcast globally as part of a programme of more than 180 works selected by playwright David Greig and theatrical maestro David MacLennan, who sadly passed away last week.
Oran Mor's selection opened with Victoria Bianchi's touching letter to her unborn child, while George Drennan performed MacLennan's waggish poem on whether independence would really change anything. Greig's response, penned since MacLennan's death, was a moving tribute. Inbetween came mini interviews with some of the major figures who helped forge the nation's vibrant theatre scene alongside MacLennan.
What was most thrilling about watching this, be it live or virtually, was witnessing several generations of Scotland's finest theatre makers coming together with schools and community groups for a demonstration of artistic solidarity possessing an energy, generosity and spirit of inclusivity that proved truly inspiring.
Whatever the result in September, it is events like this that will have defined what is possible. If you're reading this before 5pm, you can watch the world changing online right now.
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Oran Mor
Glasgow
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