Brutal comedy ‘I Am Thomas’ tells true story of execution of Thomas Aikenhead, with songs by Simon Armitage.

I Am Thomas tells the true story of Thomas Aikenhead, the last person in Britain to be executed for blasphemy, with original song lyrics by Yorkshire poet Simon Armitage.

 Collaborating with award-winning poet Simon Armitage, Told by an Idiot, National Theatre Scotland and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh present a wildly comic and provocatively subversive piece of music theatre.

 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 Lyceum, Edinburgh, the National Theatre of Scotland and Told by an Idiot.

 Edinburgh; a cold town on the edge of civilisation, in very much the Year of Our Lord, 1696. The church has spies everywhere. Here, you keep your counsel and choose your words with care … unless you are Thomas – a loud-mouthed, smart-arsed and likable student at the university. A man in the wrong place at absolutely the wrong time … trouble is brewing for Thomas.

A rich vein of black humour is exploded in this account of the last person in Britain to be executed for blasphemy. Using Told by an Idiot’s internationally celebrated theatrical invention, we glimpse into Edinburgh’s dark past to reveal this true story with universal resonance. A riotous and unsettling drama which swings between 1696 and the present day, I Am Thomas is performed with an original live score. 

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 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.

I Am Thomas

Tue 1 March – Sat 5 March

Times 8p, Wed & Sat 2:30pm

£18.00 – £20.00 (Includes £2 booking fee)

To book call Box Office: 0843 208 6000 or visit http://www.thelowry.com  

 

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