Tether 

5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Part Ceilidh, Part Play , and a Good Night Out is the tag line of Wonderfools and SAN theatres epic new play, echoing the ethos of 7:84’s Cheviot, the Stag and The Black, Black Oil, and the motto of John McGrath. 

Tether spans 60 years from 1918 to 1970 , each fragment memory and story is told during these years, however like all good memory plays the timelines jump around and tease the story out. 

In 1918 Dae Han arrives in Scotland from Joseon- Now Korea – a missionary studying Scottish Religion – The Korean translation of the Bible was done by a Glaswegian. He meets Jane and teaches her their National Anthem “Aegukga” which was sung to the melody to Auld Lang Syne.

During this time there are some lovely Glasgow lines , Are ye’ Dancing?..... and Away and Bile yer Heed.

In the early years of the 50’s the North and South Korean conflict begins Nancy a Scottish girl is working on the front line as a nurse it’s here she meets Min Guk and while tending him she asks him to get a letter to Dae Han.

It’s now the 70’s and Mi So has left Korea to visit Glasgow; to explore connections between Korean and Scottish Folk music, she meets with Jane to discuss this and the cycle of lives all intertwined is told. 

The cast both Scottish and Korean excel in this as one huge company all dancing and singing the folk songs with heart, I defy anyone not to shed a tear at Auld Lang Syne or The Banks of Loch Lomond. 

The live band adds so much to this play, with cast dancing with audience members. 

Both Scots and Korean is spoken by the cast, the backdrop is surtitles with the text of both languages displayed. Don't worry too much if you can't see what is written the performances by the cast make it clear what is being said. 

Folk songs are about Politics and protest and being on the right side of history, as Jane says she supported the right side on the Spanish Civil War, Korean Conflict and now is a member of the CND. Something Scots have always championed in the past, and I hope will continue to. 

This show is selling out so buy tickets as far in advance as you can, you will not regret being part of the lives, stories and music of Tether.