Hollywood in hunt for 'young Jimmy Shand'

Published on Sunday 11 October 2009 22:24

AUDITIONS for a young Scottish accordionist to star in a Hollywood movie began yesterday at this year's Royal National Mod in Oban.

One of Scotland's most acclaimed authors, James Kelman, is to make his first foray into the world of film with a new musical road-movie set in the United States.

Now, casting directors want a Scot aged between 14 and 20 who can play accordion to take on the main role.

The film could re-popularise the instrument made famous by – among others – Sir Jimmy Shand.

Kelman – who won the Booker Prize for How Late It Was, How Late and Book of the Year for his latest work, Kieron Smith, Boy – will write the script for Dirt Road to Lafayette, about a boy and his father as they travel across the southern states of America.

In what is described as a "coming of age" story, the pair travel to visit Scottish relatives following the premature death of the boy's mother.

The film, which will feature a large amount of music – although stopping just short of being a full musical – sees the boy rebelling against his father and his American family and "discovering his independence through music."

Auditions will be held in Oban's Skipinnish Ceilidh House until Wednesday.

Kelman's script shows the boy – named Murdo – being introduced to accordion-led Zydeco music that "blows his mind." The movie will also feature a lot of blues, traditional Scots and Irish music, and a plethora of American roots music.

The film will be made by the production company of Scottish director Kenny Glenaan, who made the movie Summer. Dirt Road to Lafayette has been given an 18,750 investment from the national film agency, Scottish Screen, to develop it further.

Meanwhile, organisers at the Mod said the number of young fluent Gaelic speakers competing has doubled in the last decade.

John Macleod, President of An Comunn Gidhealach, put the soaring entries down to the success of Gaelic Medium Education, which gives youngsters the chance to learn the language.

Latest musical success stories from the Mod

PIPING: B360 Piobaireachhd (James R Johnston Memorial Quaich):

1. Angus D MacColl, Oban

2. Pipe Major Gordon Walker, Ayrshire

3. Euan MacCrimmon, Inverness

B361 March, Strathspey and Reel (John T MacRae Cup)

1. Pipe Major Gordon Walker, Ayrshire

2. Angus D McColl, Oban

3. Euan MacCrimmon, Inverness

Sheelah J Nicol Memorial Trophy (B360 and B361)

Shared by Angus D MacColl and P/M Gordon Walker

B362 Hornpipe and Jig

1. Angus D MacColl, Oban

2. Pipe Major Gordon Walker, Ayrshire

3. Gavin Ferguson, Glasgow

C130 March (16-18) (Royal Highland Fusiliers Cup)

1. Scott McLean, Lochgilphead

2. David Shedden, Glasgow

3. Steven Leask, Irvine

C131 Strathspey and Reel (16-18) (Col. Murdoch MacTaggart, Bowmore, Memorial Trophy)

1. Gordon McCance, Bishopton

2. Scott McLean, Lochgilphead

3. David Shedden, Glasgow

C108 March (13-15) (Roderick Munro Trophy)

1. Connor Sinclair, Crieff

2. Iain Crawford, Strathaven Academy

3. Bruce MacDonald, Ard-sgoil Phort Righ

C109 Strathspey and Reel (13-15)

1. Connor Sinclair, Crieff

2. Angus J McColl, Oban

3. Iain Crawford, Strathaven Academy

C86 March (13 and under) (Roderick Ross Memorial Trophy)

1. Seumas O Baoighill, Isle of Skye

2. Sandy Cameron, Spean Bridge Primary

3. Brighde Chaimbeul, Bun-sgoil Shleite

C85 Chanter (under 13)

1. Fergus J B MacVicar, Sgoil Chairinis

2. Sim MacDhomhnaill, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise

3. Eoghainn Peutan, Bun-sgoil Chille Mhoire

SOLO FIDDLE: B340 (Open) (Sutherland Cup)

1. Erin Smith, Aberdeen

2. Cairena Campbell, Isle of Skye

C118 (13-18) (Robert McCallum Memorial Trophy)

1. Amy Westwell, Orkney

2. Ewan Zuckert, City of Edinburgh Music School

3. Jayne Paterson – Ard-sgoil a' Phluic

C83 (under 13)

1. Hannah MacRae, Ard-sgoil Lochabair

2. Seamus O Baoighill, Isle of Skye

3. Arlene MacKechnie, Strachur

FIDDLE GROUPS: C176 (under 19)

1. Fuaim Ceolmhor

2. The Nicolson Fiddle Group

C176A (under 13)

1. Fonnmhor

2. Mnranach

3. Binneas

ACCORDION: C178 (under 19)

1. Graham MacLennan, Sgoil Mhic Neacail

2. Iain Mac a' Ghobhain, Ard-sgoil Thiriodh

3. Anne-Louise Stewart, Sgoil Mhic Neacail

C84 (under 13) (Daniel G. R. Burt Memorial Trophy)

1. Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul, Bun-sgoil Shleite

2. Innes MacKintosh, Ard-sgoil Lochabair

3. Cameron Bennet, Achaleven Primary School

MELODEON: C179 (under 19) (Hebrides Haulage Trophy)

1. Anne-Louise Stewart, Sgoil Mhic Neacail

2. Alexander Maciver, Carloway

3. (equal) Annabel MacLennan, Coisir Og a' Bhac, and Daisy Nash, Sgoil Mhic Neacail

C88 (under 13) (Salar Trophy)

1. Isabelle Bain, Coisir Og a' Bhac

2. Mairi MacLennan, Coisir Og a' Bhac

3. Emily Jane Currie, Coisir Og a' Bhac

PIANO: C116 (13-18) (Margaret Hill-Boyle Memorial Trophy)

1. Ciorstaidh Pheutan, Kilmuir

2. Robert Robertson, Ard Sgoil Lochabair

3. Christina L MacLeod, Ard Sgoil Mhic Neacail

C81 (under 13) (Jenny M B Currie Kilt Pin)

1. Brighde Chaimbeul, Bun-sgoil Shleite

2. Keir Carmichael, Tobermory

3. Finlay Sinclair, Ard-sgoil an Obain

KEYBOARD: C117 (13-18)

1. Ewan Zuckert, City of Edinburgh Music School

2. Lisa Marie Parkinson

3. Padruig J P Moireasdan, Sgoil Lionacleit

C82 (under 13)

1. Eilidh MacAlpine, Sgoil Mhic Neacail

2. Isabelle Bain, Coisir Og a' Bhac