The Universal Hall

Brought up in a highly musical family, it was no surprise that Örn Eldjárn and Ösp Eldjárn would often collaborate throughout their artistic careers spanning two decades. They have now joined forces again, returning to their folky roots to perfect the ‘Blood Harmony’ concept – which happens when close family members sing together. Örn and […]

OUT OF HER MOUTH Cantatas by Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre In partnership with HERA, Mahogany Opera and the National Centre for Early Music Programme: Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre Cantates Bibliques: ‘Judith’, ‘Rachel’ & ‘Susanne’ Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre’s twelve biblical cantatas are extraordinary historical jewels. Written by a woman, about women, for […]

Tibetan Buddhist Monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery open a magical window on to a world of reincarnation and Buddhist mysticism which has inspired audiences in theatres and festivals throughout the world. From the contemplative, mesmerising chant of Buddhist texts to swirling costumed masked dances accompanied by ancient Tantric musical instruments including horns made from human […]

A new production by choreographer Katie Armstrong created in collaboration with multi award winning DJ and Composer Mariam Rezaei. Described as a “brilliantly bizarre…beautiful whirlwind”, SKETCHES is inspired by Bachs’ Violin Concerto in A Minor, and incorporates a group of dancers, a string quintet and an onstage DJ. Keep your eyes peeled for SKETCHES Film […]

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik BOCCHERINI arr Strings: Quintet Op 30 No 6 in C ‘Musica Notturna delle Strade di Madrid’ BOCCHERINI: Cello Concerto in G, G480 MOZART arr Strings: Fantasie in F minor for Mechanical Organ, K608 MENDELSSOHN: String Symphony No 10 in B minor MOZART: Serenade in G, K525 ‘Eine Kleine Nachtmusik’ Philip Higham cello/director […]

Shooglenifty was formed in 1990 by musicians from the Scottish Highlands, Orkney and Edinburgh. Its bright spark was the idea of fusing traditional and traditional-sounding melodies with the beats and bass-lines of a mixed bag of more contemporary influences. As happy playing a small highland village hall as they are on an outdoor festival stage […]

surrogate presents Who Killed My Father, based on the book by Édouard Louis, translated by Lorin Stein and adapted and directed for stage by Nora Wardell. Growing up gay in a small town in France, Édouard endured the violence and homophobia of his alcoholic, right-wing father, a factory worker. In 2000, his father suffered an […]

Lulo Reinhardt, from Germany (Koblenz) is the grandnephew of Django Reinhardt and has toured in the UK several times in the past 10 years, including an appearance at Cork Jazz Festival and a prior performance here at Universal Hall. Whilst Lulo has a repertoire of Romany swing as you might expect, he has extended and […]

One of Scotland’s most gifted and versatile composer/performers, internationally celebrated pianist, harpist and singer Phamie Gow offers a rare chance to listen close-up as she shares her innovative compositions, intertwined with entertaining stories. With music ranging through classical, Celtic, folk and beyond, Phamie has performed with music notables including Ray Davies and Alan Stivell, and […]

One good turn deserves another… Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre Company’s show ‘Elves and the Shoemaker’ tells the story of a poor shoemaker who has only one pair of shoes left to make – and not enough money to pay his rent. With the help of two mischievous elves, he creates some unusual shoes that are very […]

Nairn Gaelic Choir is a 4-part a capella choir, whose main purpose is to keep alive the Gaelic language through performance of traditional and modern Gaelic songs. The choir was formed in 1991 and since then has competed in the annual National Mod, winning their competition several times and appearing on television, while also visiting […]

Firelight Trio play European folk music that is evocative, inventive, and endlessly exciting. Driving fiddle and gorgeous nyckelharpa meet deep accordion grooves in a rich tapestry of lively Swedish polskas and Scottish reels, lilting French waltzes, toe-tapping klezmer, dazzling original tunes and more. It is breath-taking stuff performed with masterclass panache and smile-inducing, very natural […]

Fired up and raring to go after a lockdown spent creating hugely popular film project, ‘The Orkney Series’, Scottish powerhouse quartet FARA unveiled their highly anticipated third studio album in 2022. Bursting with brand new self-penned instrumental tracks, and with songs adapted from the words of Orcadian poets, ‘Energy Islands’ is fuelled by their native […]