It’s 2009. We’re in the early years of a new recession, Gordon Brown is Prime Minister, climate change is still mostly discussed in future tense, and everyone is getting very anxious about something called “swine flu.” World leaders arrive in L’Aquila, Italy for the annual G8 summit, met by demonstrations from anti-capitalist protestors demanding a different, better, world. Kieran Hurley, 23 years old, leaves his flat in Glasgow and sticks out his thumb, to be there too.
Originally presented in 2009, the year the journey was made, Hitch was Hurley’s critically-acclaimed debut solo show. A coming-of-age road movie for the stage, it’s a story of a strangers and service stations, of the search for community, and of jaded youth seeking hope in a failing world. Now, 15 years after its premiere, Hurley returns to this play, older, and in a much-changed world, to ask what its spirit of political hope might mean to us now in an era like this one.
This work in progress performance was a script-in-hand reading of the original play, with live music from Gav Prentice performed at the Traverse Theatre March 2024.
“Brilliant” The Scotsman
“Warm, generous, unexpectedly moving” The Observer
“…its real message is that even ordinary people can be exceptional, and even if you are a bit scared and nervous, together we can make a difference. Change is in our hands.” The Guardian
The Gaza Monologues
“I dream of having ONE day of safety… When can we live in peace like the rest of the World?”
– Mahmud Abu Sha’ban (born 1996) 2014
In response to Ashtar’s Theatre’s call out for a Global Reading, Stellar Quines and Disaster Plan presented a rehearsed reading of The Gaza Monologues at the Lyceum Theatre.
The Gaza Monologues are testimonies written by Ashtar Youth in 2010 following their survival of violence on the Gaza Strip. In this solidarity event we brought together Scottish, Palestinian, Jewish and Arabic voices to give life to these stories and call for justice, equality and freedom.
The event took place at The Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh on 30 Nov 2023
Move
Inspired by ancient keening rituals and performed on the beach, Move is about migration, loss and communal healing. Weaving storytelling, movement, choral soundscape and Gaelic song, five women portray the ebb and flow of people across the globe throughout the ages.
This epic outdoor beach production performed in the Traverse Ed Fest programme as part of Made In Scotland in 2021 at Silverknowes beach and then in 2022 toured beaches on the Isle of Mull, The Isle of Skye, The Isle of Lewis, Benbecula, Ayr, St Andrews, Thurso and Nairn.
Written and directed by Julia Taudevin
Performed by Morven Macbeth, Nerea Bello, Ellinor Larsson, Fiona MacNeill, Isela Hamilton
Dramaturg: Kieran Hurley, Technical Director: Matt Angove, Movement Director: Natali McCleary, Choreographer: Laura Bradshaw, Production manager: Louise Gregory, Sound Tech: Gav Thomson
Produced by Luke Holbrook and Michelle McKay in association with Slung Low and supported by An Tobar and Mull Theatre
★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★ The Scotsman ★★★★ The Stage ★★★★ The Skinny ★★★★ The Wee Review
