Traverse Theatre Marks Referendum Week with Series of Plays and Events, Now thru Sept 20

The Traverse Theatre will mark Referendum Week (16-20 Sept) with a series of plays and events reflecting the spirit of the Referendum debate and offering a place for discussion and reflection.

A new addition to the Autumn season, Traverse Theatre Company in association with Traverse Associate Artist David Greig is delighted to announce a special one-off stage performance of The Yes/No Plays taking place on the historic day itself, Thursday 18 September 2014. After a successful run at Theatre Royal Stratford East, the Traverse Theatre welcomes back John McCann's award-winning 2014 Festival hit play, Spoiling, directed by Traverse Artistic Director Orla O'Loughlin. Following his award-winning production, Donald Robertson is Not a Stand-Up Comedian, Gary McNair returns to the Traverse with Davey Anderson in a one-off performance of decision-making drama, How to Choose?.

Traverse Artistic Director, Orla O'Loughlin commented: "The Traverse Theatre is a gathering place and a platform for artists and audiences based in Scotland and beyond to explore issues relevant to contemporary life, to facilitate engagement and debate and present a full range of experience, viewpoint and possibility. This is reflected during September by a Referendum related body of work including the return of festival hit, Spoiling by John McCann, How To Choose? by Gary McNair and Davey Anderson and our Writing on the Wall project from our young writers groups."

Written on Twitter over the last year by renowned playwright David Greig, The Yes/No Plays became an ongoing sit-com capturing the comedy and silliness of the campaigns and those obsessed by it. Poking fun at both sides in an hour-long show, The Yes/No Plays will be performed twice on Thursday 18 September, the day votes will be cast in the Scottish Referendum.

Playwright David Greig commented: "The Yes/No Plays have been an ongoing project for me over the last year, a way of sharing my emotions and observations during the campaigns. They've been a chance for me to laugh at myself, my fellow campaigners and the politicians. It's a delight to be making them into a show at the Traverse Theatre for Referendum night. The atmosphere is going to be electric and I think people will want to gather together to share the moment. I hope they give everyone a chance to relax and laugh on this extraordinary, momentous day."

In the week running up to polling day, Edinburgh audiences have another chance to see award-winning production, Spoiling by John McCann, coming back to the Traverse after a sell-out run during August. Due in front of the world's media, Scotland's Foreign Minister is set to deliver a keynote speech outlining the newly-independent nation's relationship with the former UK. But there's a problem, she's refusing to speak the words she's been given.

Playwright John McCann comments, "From the first reading at the Write Here Festival in 2013, I've been on an incredible journey with Spoiling. After the unbelievable reception from both Edinburgh Festival and London audiences, it's a real pleasure to be back in the Traverse Theatre. The fact that it's playing for the full week leading up to the Referendum, I have to say that's more nerve-wracking than an opening night!"

Glasgow-based arts organisation, Trigger brings a unique theatrical vision to the question of how we make critical life decisions in their production How to Choose?. Set in a radio station, writers and performers Davey Anderson and Gary McNair host a programme called FlipSide featuring interviews with a host of experts, including neurologists, psychologists, philosophers and campaigners and examining how we make important decisions.

Producer Angie Bual said: "I wanted this project to encourage people to think about the deeper issues behind the Referendum. With such a significant decision on the horizon, the Traverse Theatre is the prefect platform for How to Choose? where Gary and Davey can discuss and debate all sides of decision-making. What I have found most striking is that, rather than talking about political personalities, both sides seem to have similar values at heart."

September is also the last chance for Traverse visitors to see the ongoing project, Writing on the Wall, inscribed on walls and various surfaces throughout the Traverse building for public viewing. Created in conjunction with writers from the Traverse Theatre Class Act, Young Writers and Scribble groups, participants were challenged to produce short plays, no more than 200-words in length, on the theme of 'What Happens Next?', their response to the current Referendum question. Eight pieces were selected and each mini play received a scratch performance with a professional ensemble of Traverse Theatre Company actors as part of National Theatre of Scotland's 5-Minute Theatre project in June. The piece will remain on display until the end of September 2014.

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