A History of Paper
by Oliver Emanuel and Gareth Williams
Directed by Andrew Panton
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh (Travfest24)
2 August 2024 (World Premier)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very special
A History of Paper is a new musical from Dundee Rep and Edinburgh's Traverse Theatres. Originally produced as an award-winning radio drama for BBC Radio 4, this stunning new musical tells the story of an everyday and extraordinary love through the little pieces of paper that make up a life.
Written by Oliver Emanuel (Book and Lyrics) and Gareth Williams (Music) A History of Paper is an intimate musical love story featuring just two performers (Christopher Jordan-Marshall and Emma Mullen) along with a pianist (Gavin Whitworth.)
It starts when she puts a note through his letterbox: “Hello Number 4, this is Number 6. Please could you SHUT THE **** UP? Ta.” Not a promising beginning, but... they meet, they fall in love, they get married. And then...
I'm not sure I'd ever given paper much thought; but as we learn from 'A History of Paper' it's everywhere and it's more important than you may realise. The memories of our lives are immortalised on these fragile sheets from birth certificates, to postcards, passports, Valentine's day cards, concert tickets and even the fluttering confetti at our weddings.
What begins as a touching, relatable and humorous love story set in Glasgow grows into a hard-hitting, heart-shattering gem of a musical. The two lead actors are exceptional, and in their hands the script and the characters come to life in the most beautiful, captivating way. Their comic timing is razor-sharp and their chemistry is palpable.
The piece is directed with obvious fondness for the material and, despite attending the world premier, the whole production is already a slick, well polished, finely tuned delight. With ingenious use of props, truly sensational lighting and lots and lots of paper, the small space bursts with movement and intrigue.
The orginal songs are good, and the piano itself and the Musical Director are fully integrated into the performance. It's such an enchanting, refreshing new musical I fear nothing I say will do it justice. I'd urge you to go see it for yourself but the entire run is already SOLD OUT in Edinburgh. (See other tour dates here)
A History of Paper is a beautifully written, delightfully staged, funny, uplifting and utterly devastating new piece of theatre. It's very special indeed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A History of Paper plays at Edinburgh Traverse Theatre until Sunday 25th August and then tours to Dundee Rep and Glasgow Tron Theatre. Jump to Tour listings | Cast info
A History of Paper is a co production between Traverse Theatre and Dundee Rep Theatre and is part of the Made in Scotland showcase.
📸 production photos: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
⚠️ Recommended age guideline: 12+
⌚ Running time: 80 minutes
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A History of Paper Cast and Creatives
Cast
Emma Mullen
Christopher Jordan-Marshall
Creative Team
Written by Oliver Emanuel & Gareth Williams
Directed by Andrew Panton
Dramaturg Lu Kemp
Musical Director Gavin Whitworth
Set Designer Leila Kalbassi
Costume Designer Cate Mackie
Lighting Designer Emma Jones
Andrew Panton, Artistic Director of Dundee Rep and Director of A History of Paper, said: “I’m honoured to be directing this celebration of Olly Emanuel’s work. He and Gareth have created a beautiful piece of new music theatre that tells the story of two people, two countries and how a moment of chance can change our lives forever. I’m thrilled that we’re bringing this world premiere to TravFest24, building on Dundee Rep and the Traverse’s ongoing festival collaboration, and that it will also be recognised as part of the Made in Scotland programme for this year.”
A History of Paper 2024 dates and listings
Dundee Rep Theatre (Previews)
Thu 27 – Sat 29 July
Traverse Theatre (Edinburgh Festival Fringe)
Thu 1 – Sun 25 Aug
Thu 29 – Sat 31 Aug
Tues 10 - Sat 14 Sep
Made in Scotland Showcase
The 2024 Made in Scotland Showcase supports fourteen shows from Scotland this August during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Artists, performers, creatives, and their communities from across Scotland will have their work presented as part of this year’s Made in Scotland Showcase at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The 2024 programme will welcome fourteen shows from all over the country across a range of dance, music, theatre and interdisciplinary work. With international audiences, industry and media visiting the artists and performers will enjoy a unique opportunity to present their work with the potential of taking it to audiences across the world.
Established in 2009, this essential programme of work has supported 273 shows to date, has nurtured and encouraged international creative dialogue, and has been the catalyst for many exciting international collaborations. The onward touring fund component has supported over 100 productions in visiting over forty countries, providing an unparalleled opportunity to showcase Scottish work around the world.
This year’s showcase reflects the changing landscape of expression across the nation with traditional forms like theatre, which Scotland is known for, to new multidisciplinary works where voices in new forms are finding emerging audiences. Themes explored include international music collaboration, a musical love story, a Wild West dance spectacular, intergenerational ideas of masculinity, deforestation tackled in a miniature opera and life in the community after incarceration.
The selected works will be performed across ten venues throughout Edinburgh, including the Traverse Theatre, Summerhall, Assembly @Dance Base, the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Assembly Roxy. Other spaces include live music venue The Queens Hall and club La Belle Angele. Fringe-specific venues also include ZOO Southside, Assembly George Square and New Town Church.
The Onward Touring fund component has supported over 100 productions in visiting over forty countries, providing an unparalleled opportunity to showcase Scottish work around the world. This level of engagement would not have been possible without ongoing support from the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund through Creative Scotland. Through this support, the vibrancy and vitality of Scotland’s cultural landscape will be proudly on display during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August. From established, and award-winning companies, to new work from world class performers, audiences will be captivated by this year’s Made in Scotland programme.
Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture said:
“Scotland has a rich, internationally-renowned cultural heritage, and in bringing some of our best new talent to audiences around the world, the Made in Scotland Showcase highlights how that legacy continues to evolve in new and inspiring ways. The Scottish Government is committed to enhancing the international presence of our culture sector and we’re therefore proud to have supported this year’s showcase with £550,000 funding through our Expo fund, which is designed to help festivals innovate and maximise national and international opportunities for the artists who contribute to them.”
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: “The Made in Scotland showcase is a chance for our finest performing talent to be seen internationally and is an incredibly important platform for Scottish artists to have their work performed and promoted. All the works are chosen for the showcase by an international panel of experts and then presented at the Fringe to arts industry professionals from across the globe with a view to future touring and a life beyond the Fringe. Every year I’m amazed by the talent and creativity that make up the Made in Scotland showcase and I am proud that it has become a model of showcasing talent that other countries have recreated.”
For details of the full 2024 Made in Scotland programme visit: www.madeinscotlandshowcase.com
A History of Paper review, Traverse Theatre Edinburgh, Travfest24, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Dundee Rep Theatre, 2024.
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🎟️ Disclosure: I am an Edinburgh Festival Fringe accredited media reviewer and as such I receive complimentary press tickets in exchange for my honest reviews. My reviews and star ratings are always my honest opinions.
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