Pioneering Locker Room Talk returns for Traverse Festival 2017

The Traverse Theatre is thrilled to announce the World Premiere of Locker Room Talk returns for Traverse Festival 2017.

Article Source: Traverse Theatre
Last Updated: 12 May 2017 12:17

The Traverse Theatre is thrilled to announce the World Premiere of Locker Room Talk by award-winning playwright and Traverse Associate Artist Gary McNair during Traverse Festival 2017. Following its sell-out Work in Progress rapid response performances in February, the show returns for a one day, two performance event on Monday 21 August. The cast for these performances will be Jamie Marie Leary, Rachael Spence, Joanna Tope and Maureen Carr.

Directed by Traverse Artistic Director Orla O’Loughlin, Locker Room Talk is a provocative piece of event theatre. Inspired by Donald Trump’s leaked sexually aggressive comments, the show is a confronting exploration of the phenomenon the then presidential candidate later dismissed as ‘locker room banter’.

McNair uses these comments as a creative catalyst, provoking and gathering hundreds of conversations with men and boys about women. These recordings are relayed via headphones and performed verbatim by a cast of women. A vital part of each performance is a post-show conversation, inviting the audience to examine the issues raised: Just how prevalent is this misogynistic language? And how much ownership of the current situation do we need to take before seeing change?

Due to the overwhelming audience response and industry interest generated in February, Locker Room Talk has been invited to play as a Work in Progress at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, 18-20 May (with an Irish cast) and Latitude Festival, 15 July ahead of its performances at Traverse Festival 2017. It will be the first time the Traverse has shown work at either venue.

Tickets for all Locker Room Talk performances are on sale now.

Gary McNair, Writer, says:
“The Traverse is my favourite theatre in the world and I’m particularly thrilled to give Locker Room Talk its Festival premiere there. The work feels important and urgent and I can’t wait to share it with the international audience that the Traverse attracts in August. It’s also brilliant to be able to get another couple of chances to develop aspects of the piece before August. First, it’s an honour to be invited to the National Theatre of Ireland and join in the amazing work that's going on there, and then on to arguably the coolest music festival in the UK – Latitude Festival. Having performed there in 2011 I’ve been really keen to get back since, so I’m delighted that we can be there.”

Orla O’Loughlin, Artistic Director, Traverse Theatre says:
“Though initially shown as a ‘rapid response’ piece, events both local and international prove that Locker Room Talk has only grown in agency: as an act of resistance, a means of provocation and a rallying call to arms. I am especially proud that Locker Room Talk has been invited to both the Abbey Theatre and Latitude Festival ahead of its World Premiere in August. Both are organisations whose fearless commitment to championing provocative contemporary theatre absolutely chimes with that of the Traverse. It is heartening to know that the work of the Traverse continues to have such powerful resonance at home and further afield.”

LISTINGS:
Traverse Theatre
Monday 21 August 2017, 2:45pm & 7pm (both Press Performances)
Box Office: 0131 228 1404 Tickets: here

WRITER BIOGRAPHY, Gary McNair

Gary McNair is a playwright, director and performer based in Glasgow. His aim is to make work that will entertain and challenge audiences in equal measures.

After graduating with first class honours in Contemporary Theatre Practice from the RSAMD (now RCS) in 2007 he has produced work with, and for, many of Scotland's major theatre companies and his work has been translated into several languages and performed around the world.

His most recent work includes A Gambler's Guide to Dying, which enjoyed a successful run at the Traverse Theatre during the 2015 Edinburgh Festival, a subsequent world tour and was part of the Adelaide Festival in 2016. The show received huge critical acclaim, was the recipient of a Fringe First and the Holden Street Theatres’ award and was featured in the BBC's best solo shows of the Fringe.

Gary’s other recent writing credits include Let The Bitch Burn (RCS), After the Cuts (Oran Mor), Fess Up (Company of Angels), Donald Robertson is Not a Stand-Up Comedian (Traverse/NTS) and How to Choose and What You Don’t Know (Trigger).

DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHY, Orla O’Loughlin

Orla is Artistic Director of the Traverse Theatre. Prior to taking up post at the Traverse, she was Artistic Director of Pentabus Theatre and International Associate at the Royal Court Theatre.

Directing work for the Traverse includes: Girl in the Machine, Grain in the Blood, Tracks of the Winter Bear, Milk (Tom Erhardt Award), The Scotsman Fringe First and Scottish Arts Club Theatre award-winning Swallow, The Scotsman Fringe First award-winning Spoiling, The Scotsman Fringe First, Herald Angel and CATS award-winning Ciara, The Devil Masters, Clean, Fifty Plays for Edinburgh, The Arthur Conan Doyle Appreciation Society, the Herald Angel award-winning Dream Plays (Scenes From A Play I’ll Never Write) and the CATS nominated A Respectable Widow Takes to Vulgarity and The Artist Man and the Mother Woman.

Other directing work includes: For Once (Hampstead Theatre, National Tour); Kebab (Dublin International Festival/Royal Court Theatre); How Much is your Iron? (Young Vic); The Hound of the Baskervilles (West Yorkshire Playhouse/National Tour/West End); Tales of the Country, Origins (Pleasance/Theatre Severn); Relatively Speaking, Blithe Spirit, Black Comedy (Watermill Theatre); Small Talk: Big Picture (BBC World Service/ICA/Royal Court Theatre); A Dulditch Angel (National Tour) and The Fire Raisers, sob stories, Refrain (BAC).

Orla is a former recipient of the James Menzies Kitchin Award and the Carlton Bursary at the Donmar Warehouse. She was also listed in the Observer as one of the top 50 cultural leaders in the UK.

Her upcoming projects include Locker Room Talk by Gary McNair which will play at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin in May and the Traverse Festival in August, and the world premiere of Meet Me at Dawn by Zinnie Harris which will premiere at the Traverse as part of the Edinburgh International Festival in August.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Edinburgh News

Laser Fundraiser Marathon for Cash for Kids will benefit 412 Children

Laser Station in partnership with Cash For Kids, is thrilled to announce the success of its recent Laser Marathon fundraiser in Edinburgh, Hull & Braehead, raising a total of £2266.

Top Dogs at Loch Lomond Shores returns this Saturday

Top Dogs is back! Dog lovers invited to come and have a fun day out with their four-legged family members.

May happenings round up for Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh has a bumper series of events planned for May, including an unmissable Summer Gin Garden, live music each Thursday and a new Peruvian menu for the Commons Club Chef's Table.

Drink Beer, Win Cash!

Britain's biggest independent craft brewer, BrewDog is giving beer lovers a chance to 'Drink Beer, Win Cash' with the return of its Cash Cans scavenger hunt this Spring.

TikTok returns as Official Virtual Stage of the Fringe Festival 2024

We're thrilled to announce that, for the third year running, TikTok will be the Official Virtual Stage of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Aberg, Fleetwood and Hovland set to star in Genesis Scottish Open

European Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are set to reunite at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.

Six Company announce further investment into Edinburgh restaurant scene

Six Company announces additional investment in the Edinburgh hospitality industry with the opening of Six by Nico Edinburgh West End and Somewhere by Nico Edinburgh.

Uber Releases Limited Edition Swiftie Inspired Friendship Bracelets

Uber releases Swiftie-inspired friendship bracelets, offering £20 credit ahead of the Era's Tour this June.

Fayre Play announces phenomenal ticket giveaway for Taylor Swift Eras Tour

Fayre Play, the ultimate adult funfair games experience in Glasgow & Edinburgh, have announced an exclusive ticket giveaway for Taylor Swift's highly anticipated show at Murrayfield on June 8th!

PURE Spa & Beauty partners with O2Worx to launch Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Edinburgh

PURE Spa & Beauty is proud to announce its partnership with 02Worx by launching Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in 16 of its spa locations across the United Kingdom including three in Edinburgh.

Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals Returns to the Edinburgh Playhouse May 2024

For the first time, audiences will be treated to a dazzling dozen amazing pro dancers from BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing, performing this spectacular show at Edinburgh Playhouse!

National Chef Gary Maclean hosts Oyster and Champagne Bar for Edinburgh Seafood Festival

Scotland’s National Chef Gary Maclean is hosting an exclusive Oyster and Champagne Bar as part of the Edinburgh Seafood Festival on Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th at Bonnie & Wild.

Edinburgh to host UK premiere of blockbuster floral show for second consecutive year

Fleurs de Villes, the world-renowned floral show has announced it will return to Edinburgh next month with its major new exhibition; ARTISTE.

Edinburgh Tradfest kicks off this Friday

A packed programme of music, film and storytelling kicks off Edinburgh Tradfest this weekend (3 May to 13 May).

Make Time for a Cuppa to help support families with dementia

Dementia specialist nursing charity, Dementia UK, is running its 14th annual 'Time for a Cuppa Fundraiser' to raise vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK.

Discover the magic of trees with Dobbies

Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting children aged four to 10 to a free workshop in May to learn more about trees and how to protect them.

Sign up for 2 free tickets to the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

It's just days until the opening of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which is back SEC, Glasgow on 11-12 May 2024.

More than 14,100 Kiltwalk heroes step up to achieve record breaking Glasgow event

Glasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today as the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £2.5m.

RUSK & RUSK shares the Spanish Butcher menu ahead of opening in two weeks

RUSK & RUSK, the independent Scottish restaurant group, today shares details of the menu set to ignite tastebuds for The Spanish Butcher which officially opens in Edinburgh on Friday 10th May.

Johnnie Walker Princes Street seeks new talent to join award winning team

Johnnie Walker Princes Street, the award-winning global visitor experience in the heart of Edinburgh, has announced exciting opportunities for passionate individuals to join its renowned team.

All Aboard for Unmissable Tales of Adventure at the Port Edgar Open Weekend

THREE captivating and inspiring stories of adventure, near-death experiences and endurance are set to thrill the crowds at Port Edgar Marina’s 10th anniversary Open Weekend on 4th and 5th May!

Van Gogh experience announces Scottish premiere dates

A spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!

A Big Map for the Big Yin! Interactive map launched to celebrate Billy Connolly

National Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.

Cast announced for Scottish tour of Hen Night Horror

Touring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!

The Best Home Bar competition from Aldi Scotland returns for 2024

Aldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!

Fingal sails to top of world best luxury hotels list

Edinburgh’s Fingal has sailed to the top of the world’s best hotels list in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards 2024.

UNIQLO will officially open the doors to its Princes Street store tomorrow

Edinburgh – Global apparel retailer UNIQLO, will welcome its first Scottish customers through the doors of its Edinburgh store on Thursday, 25th April.

CHICAGO Announced for the Edinburgh Playhouse

David Ian for Crossroads Live in association with Barry and Fran Weissler are delighted to announce further dates for the 2024/2025 UK and Ireland tour with dates at Edinburgh Playhouse in 2025.