July 26th 2024.
Fifty years ago, amidst the turmoil of the Vietnam War, a heart-wrenching series of events took place that would forever change the lives of many young children. These innocent souls, some just babies, were torn from their homes and sent on a journey across the world to unfamiliar lands, often in the most unconventional and heartbreaking manner - packed in boxes. These children were not orphans, despite the common belief. They were simply unfortunate victims of a war-torn zone, tragically separated from their families.
The new homes that these children were sent to were scattered across the western world, including America, Australia, the UK, Canada, and Germany. They were placed in loving, middle-class families, often alongside their adoptive parents' biological children. However, this came at a cost - any connection to their family or heritage in Vietnam was lost. Now, 50 years later, the stories of these children, and the lives they have led, are being brought to the forefront at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
One such story is that of Precious Cargo, a one-person play that delves into the lives of six Vietnam war adoptees and their unbreakable bond. The play, which has received critical acclaim, is the brainchild of Australian-raised actor Barton Williams. While filming on the Isle of Lewis for the feature film Silent Roar, which opened the Edinburgh International Film Festival last year, Barton met musician and composer Andy Yearley - also a Vietnam war orphan, raised in the Outer Hebrides. Despite being raised in vastly different environments, the two connected instantly, sharing a unique and personal experience as fellow Vietnamese war orphans.
The chance encounter sparked a creative collaboration between the two men, with Precious Cargo expanding to incorporate their shared experiences. Andy expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to work on such a meaningful and personal project, stating that it is unlike any other he has been a part of in his career as a musician. Born in a warzone, raised on the shores of Adelaide, and now living in a bothy under the Northern Lights in Uig, this is a story of two lives that have traveled a long and uncertain path, guided by fate.
Barton also shares his sentiments, stating that Scotland has given him a unique chapter in his life, and working with Andy and sruth-mara (a Gaelic musical trio) has been a surreal and rewarding experience. Precious Cargo will be playing at Summerhall's Demonstration Room from 1st to 26th August, offering audiences a glimpse into the lives of these extraordinary individuals and the impact that fate has had on their journey.
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