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WORLD PREMIERE

Told by an Idiot, National Theatre of and The , in association with Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse present I Am Thomas - a brutal comedy with songs

Written by Told by an Idiot, music by Iain Johnstone, lyrics by Simon Armitage, directed by Paul Hunter, designed by Laura Hopkins, sound by Adrienne Quartly and lighting by Paul Anderson.

Touring from 19 February - 30 April to Liverpool, Salford, Salisbury, Edinburgh, and

With press performances at Liverpool Playhouse on 24 February 2016 at 5.30pm; The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh on 24 March 2016 at 7.30pm; Wilton’s , London on 21 April at 7.30pm.

The cast is John Cobb, Amanda Hadingue, Myra McFayden, John Pfumojena, Hannah McPake, Dominic Marsh, Charlie Folorunsho and Iain Johnstone.

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. With original lyrics by award- winning poet Simon Armitage, the show is first-time collaboration between The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, the National and Told by an Idiot.

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. I Am Thomas - a brutal comedy with songs is inspired by fact, fantasy and an original short story by James Robertson.

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. Get Happy, the company’s first show for children returns for a second run at the Barbican in December 2015.

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 says

“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.”

Join the conversation: #iamthomas

Touring to Liverpool Playhouse (18 to 27 February 2016); The Lowry, Salford (1 to 5 March 2016); Salisbury Playhouse (8 to 12 March 2016); The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh (23 March to 09 April 2016); One Touch, , Inverness (12 to 16 April 2016), Wilton’s Music Hall, London (20 to 30 April 2016).

With press performances at Liverpool Playhouse on 24 February 2016 at 5.30pm; The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh on 24 March 2016 at 7.30pm; Wilton’s Music Hall, London on 21 April at 7.30pm. ______

I AM THOMAS/TOLD BY AN IDIOT publicist Nancy Poole, 07957 342 850, [email protected]

Emma Schad - Press Manager – [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)227 9016 M: +44 (0)7930 308018

Follow the National Theatre of Scotland’s press office on Twitter @NTS_press ______

KEY ARTISTS BIOGGRAPHIES

Paul Hunter – Director of I am Thomas

Paul Hunter is co-founder and artistic director of Told by an Idiot. Paul has worked on all Told by an Idiot shows to date as director/devisor/performer. Directing credits include: Every Last Trick (Royal & Derngate, Northampton); Get Happy (Barbican Pit); The Mouse and his Child (RSC), Low Pay, Don’t Pay (Salisbury Playhouse), Senora Carrar’s Rifles (), Not With That Hand (BAC), Ordago (for Punto Finco in bilbao). As associate director at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, Paul Hunter directed: The Venetian Twins, The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Best Production, Manchester Evening News award), Accidental Death of an Anarchist and Cleo, Camping Emmanuel and Dick. Film and TV credits include: Cinderella (directed by Kenneth Brannagh); Pan (directed by Joe Wright); Alice Through the Looking Glass; Marvellous (BBC).

Simon Armitage- Lyricist on I am Thomas Simon Armitage was born in West Yorkshire. He has published ten collections of poetry, three best-selling non-fiction titles, two novels, is a broadcaster and presenter and writes extensively for television and radio. For his song-lyrics in the BAFTA winning film Feltham Sings he received an Ivor Novello Award. His most recent theatre work includes The Last Days of Troy for Manchester Royal Exchange and Shakespeare's Globe and The Odyssey: Missing Presumed Dead, for English Touring Theatre and Liverpool Everyman. He is Professor of Poetry at the University of Sheffield and in 2015 was elected Professor of Poetry at Oxford University. In 2010 he received the CBE for services to poetry.

Iain Johnstone – Composer of I Am Thomas Iain is a musician, composer, actor and director who has worked extensively in UK theatre, with companies including National Theatre of Scotland, Improbable, National Theatre Wales, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stadsteatern Stockholm, Communicado, Royal Lyceum, Rep, Northern Stage, Lyric Hammersmith, Regents and Theatre Sans Frontieres. Iain is Artistic Director of the award-winning Wee Stories Theatre, an Edinburgh based company dedicated to making child-friendly work for an intergenerational audience with shows including Arthur the Story of a King, Treasure Island, The Emperor’s New Kilt and One Giant Leap. Iain is an Associate Artist with Told by an Idiot and has collaborated with the company on numerous productions over many years including The Dark Philosophers, I Weep at My Piano, Shoot Me in the Heart, A Little Fantasy, Casanova and The Firework-Maker’s Daughter.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The National Theatre of Scotland is dedicated to playing the great stages, arts centres, village halls, schools and site-specific locations of Scotland, the UK and internationally. As well as creating ground-breaking productions and working with the most talented theatre-makers, the National Theatre of Scotland produces significant community engagement projects, innovates digitally and works constantly to develop new talent. Central to this is finding pioneering ways to reach current and new audiences and to encourage people’s full participation in the Company’s work. With no performance building of its own, the Company works with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. Founded in 2006, the Company, in its short life, has become a globally significant theatrical player, with an extensive repertoire of award-winning work. The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the . www.nationaltheatrescotland.com

2. Told by an Idiot creates theatre for national and international touring and for specific spaces. They set out to explore the human condition by celebrating and revelling in a style of theatre that is bigger than life. The company always seeks to acknowledge the artifice of theatre and makes no attempt to put reality on stage. They remain, however, fascinated by the fine line between comedy and tragedy that exists in the real world. Through collaborative writing, anarchic physicality and a playful but rigorous approach to text, the company is committed to creating a genuinely spontaneous experience for the audience. Using a wealth of imagery and a rich theatrical language, they aim to tell universal stories that are accessible to all.

3. Currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary year, the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company is a crucible of Scottish talent and the best of world theatre with a strong reputation for developing Scotland’s considerable indigenous artists while presenting the best of international drama. With a strong reputation for excellence in both classical and contemporary work, The Lyceum is committed to developing Scotland’s indigenous theatre talents and presenting the best of international drama from its home in a magnificent, intimate Victorian building in Edinburgh’s West End. In recent years, The Lyceum has staged co-productions with Theatre Royal, Bath; The , London; Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company; National Theatre of Scotland; ; Dundee Rep; Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse; Chichester Festival Theatre and the Lyric Hammersmith. In addition, The Lyceum also runs an award-winning, ambitious and acclaimed Creative Learning programme which engages with over 16,000 young people across Scotland annually. For more information, please visit lyceum.org.uk