Theatre Royal Plymouth to co-produce Islander: A New Musical, in The Drum this Autumn
Theatre Royal Plymouth is delighted to be co-producing Islander: A New Musical, with Setasea LLC and Helen Milne Productions.
The show arrives in The Drum at TRP this Autumn, before undertaking an extensive tour of North America in Autumn 2023 - Summer 2024. It will then return home to Scotland next year before embarking on a UK wide tour.
There is a girl. She stares out to sea and dreams of a new life beyond her lonely island. Myth and reality collide when the tide washes a mysterious stranger onto her beach.
Epic storytelling intimately staged with a contemporary Scottish folk-inspired score, this award-winning smash hit musical is coming to Theatre Royal Plymouth from 25th September – 7th October. It follows sell-out performances at the Edinburgh Fringe, London’s Southwark Playhouse and Off Broadway.
Exploring themes of loss, identity, migration and home, Islander was created on the Isle of Mull and is inspired by the sights, sounds and smells of the wind-beaten and wave-struck Western Isle.
BritishTheatre gives Islander ★★★★★ calling it "A flawless gem. A modern folk tale that is hard not to fall in love with."
Two performers create a world of characters while live-mixing and layering their voices, harnessing looping technology to create a dazzling and unexpected soundscape. This new musical about a community in peril and two young people finding connection inside it, is staged with a contemporary Scottish folk-inspired score and epic storytelling.
The Daily Beast touts that “Islander is really gorgeous—sharp, moving, funny, and one of the best musicals in New York.”
Originally developed in association with Mull Theatre and the support of Creative Scotland, Islander was originally directed by Amy Draper, with staging and associate direction by Eve Nicol. The book is written by Stewart Melton and music and lyrics are by Finn Anderson. After a celebrated and critically acclaimed run off-Broadway, the ISLANDER creative team is joined by scenic designer Emma Bailey (SIX, Broadway & West End), touring the US and UK with a new physical landscape. Lighting design is by Simon Wilkinson, costume design by Hahnji Jang and sound design by Sam Kusnetz.
WINNER - MUSICAL THEATRE REVIEW’S BEST MUSICAL AWARD WINNER EDINBURGH FRINGE 2019
“A gorgeous production, rich in wit, musicality and transformation.” – ★★★★ The Guardian
“A beautiful, carefully crafted folk fairytale with harmonies that transport you to the sea and back.” – ★★★★ WhatsOnStage
“Although a new piece of work, it feels timeless, like an archetype or folk tale.” – ★★★★ The Stage
Tickets for Islander: A New Musical are available now from the TRP website www.theatreroyal.com
Neill Kovacic-Clarke
Please note: To the best of my knowledge, all details in this article are correct at the time of publishing.
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