I AM THOMAS Coming to Wilton's Music Hall in April

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. I Am Thomas, opens at Wilton's Music Hall on the 20th April and runs til the 30th April. Press night 21st April, 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 Theatre of Scotland 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."

To post a comment, you must register and login.