PRESS RELEASE
30 August 2012
ThickSkin presents:
The Static
Arches Brick Award winning company follow 2010’s hugely successful Blackout
Written by Davey Anderson I Directed by Neil Bettles
*WINNER* Scottish Arts Club Edinburgh Guide Scottish Theatre Award
*WINNER* Three Weeks Editor’s Award
*NOMINEE* The Stage Awards for Acting Excellence Best Actor 2012: Brian Vernel
PRESS NIGHTS: 26 Sept Corby Cube, CORBY I 19 Oct 7:30pm Riverside Stds, LONDON
Award winning company ThickSkin, who combine bold Frantic Assembly inspired movement work with
sharp, edgy theatre, tour the UK this autumn with new play The Static. The show, which has wowed critics
during its world premiere run at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe, is a kinetic coming-of age story about desire, guilt
and mind over matter, and follow up to ThickSkin’s critically acclaimed Blackout, also written by Davey
Anderson. Anderson’s previous work includes the National Theatre of Scotland supported Snuff (2006).
Combining a striking mix of multi-media, movement and text, this visually arresting and fast-paced new
play explores the ugly flipside to positive thinking – the terrifying idea that our darkest fantasies could
come true. The play is centered on Sparky, a bright but volatile 15-year-old boy, who is written off at school as
a disruptive influence and lost cause. When he falls in love with classmate Siouxsie his thoughts become
telekinetic. How will he use his newfound superpower – to win Siouxsie’s heart, or to take revenge on his
classmates and teachers?
Continuing their tradition of developing and showcasing emergent talent alongside established artists,
ThickSkin is reunited with 21-year-old Brian Vernel who won over 2010 Fringe audiences with his
compelling performance as young skinhead offender James, the lead character in Blackout. As part of a
cast of four, Brian takes centre stage again as Sparky. Blackout was Brian’s first professional production and he
is now training at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Brian is joined on stage by Edinburgh-born Nick Rhys (Leo Brodie from River City, BBC Scotland); Edinburghbased Pauline Lockhart (Men Should Weep, NTS 2010) and Glasgow-based, Samantha Foley, making her
professional debut in The Static.
The Static is ThickSkin’s second production, and the first time the company has commissioned a
playwright. The collaboration between Davey Anderson and ThickSkin builds on the success of the
company’s 2010 Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut with Blackout for which the company won the Arches Brick
Award and was shortlisted for the Holden Street Theatre Award.
Davey Anderson is a playwright, director, musician and composer based in Glasgow. In 2005, Davey
won the Arches Theatre New Directors Award, giving him a platform to stage his debut play Snuff. The
Press Contact: Sharon at Mobius 020 7269 9929 or sharon@mobiusindustries.com.
following year he became Director in Residence with National Theatre of Scotland. He was an Associate
Playwright with the Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland from 2010 - 2011. www.daveyandersontheatre.com
Neil Bettles is co-founder and Artistic Director of ThickSkin. Neil recently worked as Associate Director
on The Bacchae and Blood Wedding (Royal & Derngate, Northampton, 2011). He was previously Associate
Director on the tour of Frantic Assembly’s Lovesong (2011) and will tour with the company as Associate Director
for Beautiful Burnout this autumn.
“A dazzling display of current small-scale theatre technique, delivered with outstanding wit and flair.”
Joyce, McMillan, The Scotsman on The Static
“A small put persuasive package that has real energy and excitement…”
Lyn Gardner, The Guardian on The Static
Running Time: 65 minutes (no interval) | Ages: 14+ (some strong language)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMtaXDXQjB0
www.thickskintheatre.co.uk | @ThickSkinTwit
Company Information
Commissioned and produced by ThickSkin
Devised and Choreographed by Neil Bettles
Performed by Brian Vernel, Samantha Foley, Pauline Lockhart and Nick Rhys
Lighting Design Simon Wilkinson
Developed in association with The Core at Corby Cube, in partnership with Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland and with support from National Theatre of Scotland
and The Arches, Glasgow. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and Creative Scotland. Part of Made in
Scotland 2012.
Notes to Editors:
ThickSkin are committed to producing collaborative, cross-disciplined performance that will inspire and
challenge audiences. They aim to unearth new talent and engage established artists in the creation of
innovative work. ThickSkin was formed by Neil Bettles and Laura Sutton in 2010 who met through their work
with renowned physical theatre company, Frantic Assembly. They both continue to work freelance with Frantic
Assembly (Neil as Creative Associate and Laura as Assistant Producer) and are heavily inspired by the
company’s dedication to deliver high quality, accessible theatre. ThickSkin has developed its work to date with
Glasgow-based artists and has quickly built a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting emerging companies.
Alongside The Static, they are also touring two other shows this autumn. The first of these is new groundbreaking digital theatre project White Noise which brings together two theatres and two communities in
Greenock and Corby simultaneously and Boy Magnet, a twisted tale of static shock which immerses the
audience in a club like environment. See clips of previous performances at www.youtube.com/thickskintheatre.
Listings Information:
3 – 6 Sept
The Arches, Glasgow
253 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8DL
3 – 6 Sept at 7pm, 6 Sept at 9pm I Signed performance 6 Sep (7pm)
www.thearches.co.uk I 0141 565 1000
Free post show discussion 5 Sep
8 Sept
Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock
9 Green Street, Kilmarnock, KA7 3BN
8pm I Free post show discussion
Press Contact: Sharon at Mobius 020 7269 9929 or sharon@mobiusindustries.com
www.visiteastayrshire.com I 01563 554 900
Free post show discussion
13 – 14 Sept
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2ED
7.30pm I www.traverse.co.uk I 0131 228 1404
Free post show discussion 13 Sep
15 Sept
Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock
Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, G46 6UG
7.30pm I Free post show discussion
www.eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk I 0141 577 4970
Free post show discussion
17 Sept
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
Bishop's Road, Inverness, Inverness-Shire IV3 5SA
7.30pm www.eden-court.co.uk I 01463 234234
Free post show discussion
19 Sept
The Lemon Tree Studio, Aberdeen
5 West North Street, Aberdeen, Aberdeen City AB24 5AT
7pm I www.boxofficeaberdeen.com I 01224 641122
Free post show discussion
21 Sept
Arts Guild Theatre, Greenock,
Campbell Street, Greenock Renfrewshire, PA16 8AP
7.30pm I www.artsguildtheatre.co.uk I 01475 723 038
Free post show discussion
22 Sept
Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy
Bennochy Road, Kirkcaldy, Fife KY1 1ET
7.30pm I www.onfife.com I 01592 583302
Free post show discussion
24 Sept
Derby Theatre
Theatre Walk, Derby, DE1 2NF
7.30pm I www.derbytheatre.co.uk I 01332 593939
Free post show discussion
26 – 28 Sept
The Core at Corby Cube
Parkland Gateway, George Street
Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 1QG
7.30pm I www.thecorecorby.com I 01536 470 470
Free post show discussion 27 Sep
9- 10 Oct
The Albany, London
Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG
7.30pm I www.thealbany.org.uk I 020 8692 4446
Free post show discussion 9 Oct
Press Contact: Sharon at Mobius 020 7269 9929 or sharon@mobiusindustries.com
13 – 13 Oct
Dundee Rep, Dundee
Tay Square, Dundee, DD1 1PB
12 Oct 8pm & 13 Oct 2.30pm I www.dundeerep.co.uk I 01382 223 530
Free post show discussion 12 Oct
16 Oct
The Garage, Norwich
14 Chapel Field North, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1NY
7.30pm I www.thegarage.org.uk I 01603 283 382
Free post show discussion
18 Oct
The Hat Factory, Luton
65-67 Bute Street, Luton, LU1 2EY
7.30pm I www.thehatfactory.org I 01582 878 100
Free post show discussion
19 – 20 Oct
Riverside Studios, London
Crisp Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 9RL
7.30pm (also 2pm on 20th) I www.riversidestudios.co.uk I 020 8237 1111
23 Oct
Unity Theatre, Liverpool
1 Hope Place, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 9BG
8pm I www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk I 0844 873 2888
Free post show discussion
24 – 25 Oct
Contact, Manchester
Oxford Road Manchester, Lancashire M15 6JA
Signed performance 25 Oct 8pm
8pm I www.contactmcr.com I 0161 274 0600
Free post show discussion on 24 and 25 Oct
26 Oct
mac, Birmingham
Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH
7.30pm I www.macarts.co.uk I 0121 446 3232
Free post show discussion
Press Contact: Sharon at Mobius 020 7269 9929 or sharon@mobiusindustries.com