Aberdeen Performing Arts’ festival for and by young people, Light the Blue has been hailed a triumph as the curtain came down on 13 incredible days of performances, exhibitions, theatre, art and workshops across Aberdeen.
This year’s Light the Blue asked participants and audiences “What’s your story?” in a theme throughout the festival that explored ‘looking forward and looking back’, with more than 1,000 young people and professional artists, 40 schools and audiences in excess of 5,500 all getting involved in the festivities.
Free or low cost performances, workshops, backstage tours, networking events and interactive exhibitions gave more opportunities than ever to find new and exciting ways to engage with the arts.
Light the Blue Creative Producer Jordan Blackwood said: “Our theme for Light the Blue this year has been focussed on looking forward and looking back, inviting artists and audiences to explore their own stories for joy, inspiration and hope as well as sharing dreams for the future.
“The result has been even more special than we could have hoped for, sparking so many unforgettable moments throughout the festival and it has been an absolute privilege to see it all come together.
“We are so grateful to all of the amazing organisations, groups and individuals who gave so much of their time and energy into making this such an incredible, fun and joyful festival.”
Highlights included Boys Don’t Dance, the co-commission by Imaginate in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts was a poignant dance theatre show by acclaimed disabled director, choreographer and dancer Marc Brew, reflecting on his journey as a boy who defied society’s expectations to embrace his love for dance. The show at the Lemon Tree featured a curtain raiser performed by young disabled and non-disabled dancers from across the region.
Organisations such as Benedetti Foundation, Catherine Wheels, Citymoves Dance Agency, Dundee Rep, Eden Court, Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen Arts Centre, Ten Feet Tall, Station House Media Unit, Playwrights’ Studio Scotland, North East Scotland College, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Scottish Theatre Producers, Starcatchers and Scottish Youth Theatre were among those who took part across the two weeks.
Families and youngsters enjoyed free and low-cost performances at Union Terrace Gardens, His Majesty’s Theatre and the Lemon Tree as well as various other city centre locations covering drama, dance and music, while specifically tailored backstage tours of His Majesty’s
Theatre proved hugely popular for young people and their families. Interactive workshops and exhibitions offered the chance to explore the festival’s theme in a variety of different ways.
The grand finale saw Light the Blue culminate with the Big Gig on Sunday, June 14 in the beautiful surroundings of the Music Hall. This year’s Big Gig featured performances from SC&T Youth, Big Noise Torry, Aberdeen City Music Service, Aberdeenshire Music Service, Emma Lowson Dance, Sound, and the Universities Folk & Trad Society, with behind-the-scenes footage captured by NESCol Film and TV Department students.
Aberdeen Performing Arts Chief Executive, Sharon Burgess, said: “What a joy it has been to see so many people enjoying Light the Blue over the last two weeks, finding their voices and exploring their creativity.
“As we reach the halfway point of our HMT 120 fundraising campaign celebrating 120 years of His Majesty’s Theatre at the heart of cultural life in the city, this wonderful festival represents the future of arts in Aberdeen, and I’m delighted to say it’s in safe hands!
“The lasting impact of collaborating with so many talented artists, educators and cultural partners from across Scotland to create such fabulous opportunities for young people here in Aberdeen will be seen for a long time to come and we’re so grateful to everyone who has supported us to make Light the Blue 2026 such a resounding success.”
To find out more about opportunities for young people to get involved in performing arts, visit https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/take-part/
To find out more about HMT 120, visit https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/hmt-120/