Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2015
In 2015, the Pipes and Drums of Christchurch City made its first appearance in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Those of us who had played in previous tattoos at Edinburgh Castle as members of other bands noticed a change of emphasis. Showcasing the British military had always been a major focus. That focus was still there, but the event was also becoming more of a vehicle for celebrating the cultures of all countries, and not just those of the Commonwealth.
This change was visionary because giving people the opportunity to experience other cultures is the best way to foster universal peace and goodwill. Culture should always transcend politics because of its dominance in all areas of human society: religion, music, sport and literature, to name a few. It is hard to think of a more prestigious and iconic annual event in any country better placed to lead the way than the Edinburgh Tattoo.
When 2015 was officially declared the UK-China Year of Cultural Exchange, the production team adopted 'East Meets West' as the theme for the 66th Edinburgh Tattoo. The Tattoo's enormous prestige made it the flag-bearer of the many events being held in China and the United Kingdom that year to strengthen the relationship between the two countries across the arts and creative industries.
The theme was ingeniously incorporated into the show. The producers used an ancient Chinese idea that everything has both yin and yang aspects. Yin and yang are opposite forces that are actually complementary – quiet and noise, light and shadow, fire and water, modern and traditional, earth and sky. For example, a shadow cannot exist without light.
In Chinese philosophy, when these opposing forces interact, they make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. Yin and yang opposites were therefore woven into the various acts that comprised the Tattoo. This was to be seen in the lighting effects, the contrast between the traditional and the modern, different styles of music, changes in tempo, the transitions between quiet and loud, and so on. Taken together, they turned the show into a celebration of universal harmony and a synergy of the cultures present.
The massed pipes and drums set the scene by forming a large yin and yang circle in the opening performance. Further on, the 140-strong Lotus Dragon Dance Folklore Group from Changxing entertained the audience with a traditional Chinese dragon dance. This was followed by a troupe of dancers drawn from India and various south Asian groups based in Scotland. Their routine portrayed the timeless theme of boy meets girl and the associated dynamics that develop when cultures and customs collide.
But the British military, and the Chinese and Indian dancers were not the only talented performers in the cast of 1,200. The overseas guest list also included Switzerland's Top Secret Drum Corps, South Carolina's Citadel Regimental Band and the United States Air Force Honour Guard. And then there was the rest of the home grown talent, which included The Shetland Fiddlers and Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools Choir.
The 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain was marked each night by the fanfare in the opening sequence and also, on some evenings, by a Royal Air Force fly over. Historic film and images of the air battle were also projected onto the Castle as a backdrop when the military bands performed their marching displays.
At this point, it would be remiss not to mention the spectacular use of light. In past tattoos, it may have been sufficient merely to bathe the Castle in different colours. Not anymore! This year, nearly every part of the show seemed to have an appropriate and sophisticated back drop.
The finale was a magical mix of colourful costumes and uniforms that reflected the cultural diversity on display. It also symbolised the peace and harmony that develops whenever cultures meet in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
The cast was accommodated at the university, near the heart of Edinburgh. This made it easy to explore the city once the rehearsals had finished. In walking along the streets, a person could not help but feel the sense of history that was part of every stone building and cobbled footpath. Few other places anywhere in the world can match the city's rugged romantic charm. Everything about Edinburgh seemed to complement the objectives of the Tattoo being performed on the castle courtyard high above the city.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2015
The 2015 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was a magnificent event, and the members of the Pipes and Drums of Christchurch City were delighted to have been a part of it.