I Am Thomas - Wilton's Music Hall
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
TOLD by an Idiot, National Theatre of Scotland and The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh in association with Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse are presenting the critically acclaimed I Am Thomas at Wilton’s Music Hall – from April 20 to April 30, 2016.
Using Told by an Idiot’s trademark anarchic physicality and inventive storytelling, I Am Thomas glimpses into Edinburgh’s dark past to bring out the black humour in the true story of Thomas Aikenhead, a Scottish student who was the last person in Britain to be executed for blasphemy.
Resonating across time and cultures, this riotous and unsettling comic drama shifts between 1696 and present times to explore notions of freedom of speech. With a live score performed by a cast of eight, the show weaves together eclectic references from the Last Passion of Christ to Archie Gemmell’s goal for Scotland, against Holland, at the 1974 World Cup.
Described as a brutal comedy with songs, I Am Thomas is inspired by fact, fantasy and an original short story by James Robertson.
Paul Hunter directs a cast that includes John Cobb, Amanda Hadingue, Myra McFayden, John Pfumojena, Hannah McPake, Dominic Marsh, Charlie Folorunsho and Iain Johnstone.
Written by Told by an Idiot, I Am Thomas has music by Iain Johnstone, lyrics by Simon Armitage, designs by Laura Hopkins, sound by Adrienne Quartly and lighting by Paul Anderson. It is a first-time collaboration between The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, the National Theatre of Scotland and Told by an Idiot.
Told by an Idiot’s recent production of My Perfect Mind returned for a second UK tour in autumn 2014 prior to transferring to 59E59 Theater, New York in June 2015, as part of 59E59’s Brits Off Broadway season. In May and June 2015, The Ghost Train by Arnold Ridley and directed by Paul Hunter, was presented at, and in collaboration with, the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester.
Simon Armitage is one of UK’s foremost poets, playwrights and novelists. His production of The Odyssey: Missing, Presumed Dead opened at the Everyman Theatre, Liverpool in October 2015.
Paul Hunter, Artistic Director of Told by an Idiot and director of I am Thomas, said:
“Told by an Idiot is thrilled to partner with the National Theatre of Scotland and The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh for the first time, to bring this extraordinary episode of hidden history to life. This is a highly pertinent piece, examining the notion of freedom of speech in a surprising, provocative and unsettling manner. We are delighted to collaborate with Simon Armitage alongside Associate Idiot Iain Johnstone to create a vibrant theatrical musical form to tell the universal story of Thomas Aikenhead.”
Read more about Wilton’s Music Hall’s new season.