*** World Premiere ***
Independent Arts Projects (IAP) in association with National Theatre of Scotland present
Shō and the Demons of the Deep
Written by Zoë Bullock, adapted from the work by Annouchka Gravel Galouchko
Directed by Shilpa T-Hyland
Designer – Claire Halleran, Lighting Design – Kate Bonney, Composer and Sound Design – Niroshini Thambar, Movement Director – Mele Broomes, Design Assistant – Morven McLeod
Cast: Itxaso Moreno, Christina Strachan and Rebecca Wilkie
Touring Scotland in April and May 2024
Coming to Edinburgh International Children’s Festival on Monday 27 – Thursday 30 May.
Independent Arts Projects (IAP) in association with National Theatre of Scotland present Shō and the Demons of the Deep, a timely new production for younger audiences aged 8 and over, written by Zoë Bullock, touring across Scotland in April and May 2024.
Shō and the Demons of the Deep is a visual adventure story about overcoming fear, and how the actions of one generation can affect the next. The production is inspired by the powerful picture book of the same name by Annouchka Gravel Galouchko.
“A dream. A dream of a hand reaching into the future and shaping it. A dream of change”
Shō’s city has been plagued by nightmares for as long as she can remember, but hers are the worst of all. One day, Shō had enough. She throws her nightmares away into the river, where they wash out to sea. Soon people start copying her; the city is rid of its nightmares, and everyone is delighted. But sixty years later, when the river becomes poisoned, to save her home, Shō’s granddaughter Hana must face her greatest fears.
Sho’s story unfolds through a magical mix of movement, music and miniature worlds, taking the audience from big cities to the ocean floor on a very big adventure!
Shō and the Demons of the Deep is a perfect story for the times we are living through; about young people dealing with anxiety and how to be a small brave person in a big scary world.
Zoe Bullock, writer, said: “Shō and the Demons of the Deep is a hopeful, joyous show about how we can work together to confront what scares us.
“It’s based on a beautiful picture book, and we’ve worked hard to do that justice and make something magical.
“Creating it with a wonderful team and the support of the NTS has been an absolute pleasure, and I can’t wait to share the story with people across Scotland.”
The production was supported through a National Theatre of Scotland Develop Residency in 2022.
Zoë Bullock is an award-winning writer based in Glasgow. Her writing for theatre includes The Listening Tree (Imaginate/Eco Drama, Edinburgh International Children’s Festival), Puss in Boots: A Solar Punk Pantomime (Hopscotch Theatre), Island Chains (New Earth Theatre, New Stories Festival), Octopus (Alpine Fellowship Award finalist). Her short films include: The Air We Breathe (Short Circuit, Grand Prize winner of The Script Lab Free Screenplay Contest 2023), Granny Fenella (Imaginate), Little Spoon’s Big Adventures (Visible Fictions), and the VR/360 experience Chamber 404 (Vroom Theatre/Camden People’s Theatre).
Shilpa T-Hyland’s directing credits include Wickies: The Vanishing Men of Eilean Mor (Paul Morrissey, Christopher Wheeler, Molly Morris), Kissing Linford Christie (Catherine Wheels, co-director), The Guns of Johnny Diablo, The Prognostications of Mikey Noyce and Oscar (A Play, A Pie and A Pint), Revolution Days (Bijli), We’ll Meet in Moscow (Traverse) and Miss Julie (Horsecross). She previously worked with NTS as an Associate Director on Burn and The 306: Dusk (NTS, Horsecross).
Itxaso Moreno trained at Bizkaiko Antzerki Ikastegia in Bilbao, Basque Country. Theatre includes Sleeping Beauty (Platform), The Tempest (Tron Theatre), Low Pay? Don’t Pay! (Glasgow Live/Tron Theatre) and has previously worked with National Theatre of Scotland on This Restless House (a co-production with The Citizens Theatre) and Home (NTS).
Christina Strachan has appeared in Forever Home by Pauline Lockhart, the critically acclaimed one-woman show Rose (Òran Mór and Milan), Department Q (Netflix), Payback (STV), Ghost Crew (Hex Media).
Rebecca Wilkie graduated from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, winning their prestigious James Bridie Gold Medal award. Her recent theatre credits include Everything Under the Sun (Army at the Fringe) winning a Scotsman Fringe First award, The Infernal Serpent (A Play, A Pie, and A Pint) and Nightlands & Fallen Angels of the Moine (Dogstar Theatre).
Independent Arts Projects (IAP) works with some of Scotland’s most talented and innovative artists and theatre makers to develop, produce and tour a programme of productions, arts projects, events, and opportunities for people across Scotland and beyond.
Shō and the Demons of the Deep is supported by Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund and Federation of Scottish Theatre. Development has been supported by Imaginate and Playwrights’ Studio Scotland.
Touring in 2024 to Platform, Easterhouse, Glasgow (Fri 12 & Sat 13 April); Lemon Tree, Aberdeen (Wed 17 April); Mareel, Shetland (Wed 24 April ); Mull Theatre (Tue 30 April); Dunoon Burgh Hall (Fri 3 May); Birnam Arts Dunkeld (Wed 8 May); Melrose Corn Exchange (Sat 11 May); Lyth Arts Centre, Wick (Fri 17 May) The Bridge, Dumfries (Tue 21 & Wed 22 May); Edinburgh International Children’s Festival (Mon 27 May – Thurs 30 May); Eden Court Theatre, Inverness (Mon 3 June) and Byre Theatre, St Andrews (Wed 5 June).
Opening Performance on Friday 12 September at Platform, Easterhouse, Glasgow
Tour information and full cast and creative biogs and access info here.
On social: #SHO
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