Dumfries and Galloways very Own ‘Big Burns Supper Festival’ Scotland’s largest contemporary Burns celebration, attracted a digital audience of 327,000 with viewers tuning in from Scotland and 50 countries across the world to its first-ever fully digital show which aired on Burns Nicht.
The virtual celebration hosted by award-winning Scottish comedian, Janey Godley, with special guests including musicians KT Tunstall, Donovan and Skerryvore, Tide Lines, Dougie McLean as well as Artistic Director of Birds of Paradise Theatre Company, Robert Softley Gale, Jamaican World Roots Reggae singer Brina, Scottish Hollyoaks star, Amy Conachan and many, many others.
Marking the Festival’s 10th anniversary, Janey Godley’s Big Burn Supper a free, star-studded show, was broadcast on Burns Night (25 January), simultaneously on the Festival’s Facebook page and YouTube channel where it is still available to all those wishing to relive the fantastic experience.
On hosting the show Janey Godley said: “What an absolutely cracking night! I’m still knackered. Hosting the Big Burns Supper virtual show was a proper honour. It was so clear from the outpouring of support and positivity from folk tuning in from around the world and raising a dram to Rab, just how vital culture and the arts are to us all. The Big Burns Supper showcased the incredible power culture and the arts have in bringing us together, providing light in dark times and giving us all a much-needed laugh!”
Executive Producer, Graham Main said: “We set out to present an unforgettable experience for all Scots and fans of Burns around the world and I believe we delivered just that. Janey Godley’s Big Burns Supper was a unique contemporary reflection on the Bard’s work, not least as it brought together a superb line-up of local, Scottish and international musicians, actors, comedians and cabaret and burlesque artists, beamed into living rooms in Scotland and across the world for a brilliant collective moment of positivity.”
Thank you to Janey and the incredible artists who made the show such a success and of course we extend a huge thank you to those who tuned in and joined us from Scotland and across the world. We have been absolutely blown away by the outpouring of joy, celebration and thanks received from folk around the world – it’s been our absolute pleasure to provide a moment of light in these challenging dark times. Here’s to another 10 fantastic years of Big Burns Supper!”
Comments from Janey’s Big Burns Supper audiences online:
“Pure dead brill Janey Godley! Such diversity! It made oor nicht! “A great wee cheer up at home wi #BigBurnsSupper! Oidhche Bhlas Burns! Slainte!”
“This has been one of the best Burns Night Programmes ever. Fantastic array of talent and great entertainment. Well done Janey Godley for being a brilliant host.”
“Loving the Big Burns Supper and its inclusive and diverse approach to Burns Night – this is Scotland, a place where anyone, even a new Scot like me, can belong!”
“I can’t tell you how wonderful, special and comforting it is to have Big Burns Supper this year for #BurnsNightIn for this proud Scot in Speyer, Germany.”
