Anything But Bland - Programme
The performance of "Anything But Bland" at the Ulster Hall on 15 February 2017, was a fabulous evening that I was involved in. These are some of my photos of the 200 female choir members performing the work of composer Brian Irvine and writer John McIlduff.
Anything But Bland is a celebration of Lilian Bland, a remarkable and inspirational young photographer, journalist, jujitsu expert, jockey and gambler from Carnmoney, Northern Ireland, who in 1910 became the first woman in the world to design, build and fly an aeroplane. Despite having no engineering experience she built the Mayfly (because "it may fly or it may not"). Using a whiskey bottle as a fuel tank and her aunt's ear trumpet as an engine hose, the Mayfly flew for the first time in Randalstown. On the day of the flight Lilian insisted the farmer keep his bull in the field so that she "would have every inducement to fly."
Anything But Bland is an exciting collaboration between Dumbworld, Northern Ireland Science Festival and the Ulster Orchestra.
