As the CND & its iconic peace symbol turn 60 and the renewal of Trident gears up, Jenna Watt’s seminal work Faslane heads to the Theatre Royal, Dumfries this Month– an unpicking of the conversations centred around the Scottish home of the UK’s nuclear arsenal – continues to be increasingly relevant.
Don’t miss your chance to see the multi award-winning show about what it means to understand both sides of the debate: the Edinburgh Festival Fringe First winning Faslane, written and performed by Jenna Watt, tour the UK this Summer 2018.
With family employed at Faslane all her life and friends protesting at the gates, Jenna Watt (How You Gonna Live Your Dash, Flâneurs) explores what happens when the personal and political collide. Faslane is Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, situated just 34 miles outside Glasgow, home to the UK’s nuclear missile program: Trident. Drawing upon interviews with individuals at the front line of the nuclear debate and featuring an immersive sound design by Kim Moore (Blow Off, Tiger Tale), Jenna navigates her own journey through the politics, protests and peace camps.
A deeply personal yet meticulously researched take on the nuclear debate, Jenna delves into not only the global politics of Trident but also the personal struggle when taking a stance on such a divisive issue. Rejecting a didactic approach, Faslane invites audience members to question their own thoughts on the issue and to interrogate just what a nuclear deterrent really means. The piece represents the culmination of years of research including multiple trips to Faslane, countless Freedom of Information requests, interviews with current and former MOD staff and activists as well as forays into the world of activism by Jenna herself.
A month-long run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe garnered a coveted Scotsman Fringe First award. The extensive 2017 tour spanned all corners of Scotland, from Edinburgh, Glasgow and down the road from Faslane as well as the Highlands and Islands. The play has also had runs at London Camden People’s Theatre and the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Faslane is a Contact Flying Solo commission, supported by Summerhall.
Supported in development by Creative Scotland and Cove Park.
Praise for FASLANE:
“An extraordinary piece of documentary theatre… Always engaging, impressively entertaining and often surprisingly funny.” ★★★★★ British Theatre Guide
“Watt’s show delicately pulls apart all of the complexities of the issue and puts them under her theatrical microscope… An illuminating piece of topical theatre” ★★★★ Telegraph
Fringe First Winner 2017 – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Theatre Royal on the 28th May – Box Office 01387 254 209 or online at: theatreroyaldumfries.co.uk
