Jake Mace
Women’s contributions to the global peace movement are deftly curated, historicised, and woven into a tapestry by skilful singer-storyteller Morna Burdon. Gie’s Peace navigates a kaleidoscope of stories from exploring the occupation of Greenham Common in Berkshire, to Faslane Peace Camp in Dunbartonshire, through as far away as peace walks through the USSR in the 1990s, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Somalia. With a careful hand and mindful spirit, Burdon provides context and compassion in equal measure.
‘Gie’s’ is a Scots word translated to mean ‘Give Us’ in English – and Burdon gives this show her absolute all – you are captivated by her sense of purpose and pragmatic sympathy with the women who have inspired the show. The piece is patchwork – Morna launches into tangential stories where in mentioning the show in passing to an acquaintance or friend, they have revealed their own relationship to peace, or in the case of some, a life-long commitment to peace activism.
This piecemeal approach has allowed an immense sense of authenticity to permeate the piece – it has developed in time as times have changed yet again, and as the world once again sees conflict continue to rise globally year-on-year. Burdon effortlessly wields a mirror of past, present, and prospective futures – from discussing current conflicts around the world, back to those who contributed to challenging the status quo around Nuclear Weapons in the aftermath of the Cold War. Even in ‘peace time’, there is an important place for resistance in civil society.
A pervading folk nature underpins the musical accompaniment – performed by Burdon in a way that gives them a nursery rhyme-esque quality. Morna takes moments of breath and pause to step out of delivering the stories to punctuate them with relevant songs from across the peace activist movement and written by those whose stories she’s actively highlighting. It’s a remarkably informal, impassioned ethos that allows you to connect with how media and music impacts camaraderie and solidarity. From women singing together while chained to the outside of Greenham Common air base, through to songs written about the first flowers growing after the Hiroshima bombings.
The pure breadth of the show’s themes and stories does sometimes leave certain topics explored fleetingly – there’s a lot packed into this hour. You still get the sense that Burdon manages to just about cover each story with enough finesse to give the gravitas needed for every person involved. It’s pertinent, and powerful, and Morna doesn’t waste a moment on stage.
Gie’s Peace ends with a moment of solidarity between the audience which creates an indescribably emotive and cogent way of binding the audience with these stories. You’ll leave with at least one tear in your eye, and your heart moved.
Recommended Drink: Pair Gie’s Peace with the World Peace Cocktail.
Performances of Gie’s Peace have now concluded at Dundee Fringe 2024.
Phoebe Bakker
