WORLD PREMIERE
Told by an Idiot, National Theatre of Scotland and The Lyceum, Edinburgh in association with Liverpool
Everyman and Playhouse present
I Am Thomas - a brutal comedy with songs
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.
Touring to Liverpool, Salford, Salisbury, Edinburgh and Inverness from 18 February to 16 April 2016
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 awardwinning poet Simon Armitage, the show is first-time collaboration between The Lyceum, 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, co-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 Lyceum, 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.”
Cast: to be announced
Join the conversation: #iamthomas
Touring to Liverpool Playhouse (18 to 27 February 2016); The Lowry, Salford (1 to 5 March 2016);
Salisbury Playhouse (8 to 12 March 2016); The Lyceum, Edinburgh (23 March to 09 April 2016); One Touch,
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness (12 to 16 April 2016), Wilton’s Music Hall, London (20 to 30 April 2016).
Opening performances on 24 February 2016 at Liverpool Playhouse and The Lyceum, Edinburgh on 24
March 2016
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I AM THOMAS/TOLD BY AN IDIOT publicist
Nancy Poole, 07957 342 850, nancy@nancypoolepr.com
Emma Schad - Press Manager – emma.schad@nationaltheatrescotland.com
Tel: +44 (0)227 9016 M: +44 (0)7930 308018
Follow the National Theatre of Scotland’s press office on Twitter @NTS_press
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KEY ARTISTS BIOGGRAPHIES
Paul Hunter – Director of I am Thomas
Paul Hunter is co-founder and artistic director of Told by an Idiot. Paul has worked on all Told by an Idiot
shows to date as director/devisor/performer. Directing credits include: Every Last Trick (Royal & Derngate,
Northampton); Get Happy (Barbican Pit); The Mouse and his Child (RSC), Low Pay, Don’t Pay (Salisbury
Playhouse), Senora Carrar’s Rifles (Young Vic), Not With That Hand (BAC), Ordago (for Punto Finco in
bilbao).
As associate director at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, Paul Hunter directed: The Venetian Twins, The Beauty
Queen of Leenane (Best Production, Manchester Evening News award), Accidental Death of an Anarchist
and Cleo, Camping Emmanuel and Dick.
Film and TV credits include: Cinderella (directed by Kenneth Brannagh); Pan (directed by Joe Wright); Alice
Through the Looking Glass; Marvellous (BBC).
Simon Armitage- Lyricist on I am Thomas
Simon Armitage was born in West Yorkshire. He has published ten collections of poetry, three best-selling
non-fiction titles, two novels, is a broadcaster and presenter and writes extensively for television and
radio. For his song-lyrics in the BAFTA winning film Feltham Sings he received an Ivor Novello Award. His
most recent theatre work includes The Last Days of Troy for Manchester Royal Exchange and Shakespeare's
Globe and The Odyssey: Missing Presumed Dead, for English Touring Theatre and Liverpool Everyman. He
is Professor of Poetry at the University of Sheffield and in 2015 was elected Professor of Poetry at Oxford
University. In 2010 he received the CBE for services to poetry.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The National Theatre of Scotland is dedicated to playing the great stages, arts centres, village halls,
schools and site-specific locations of Scotland, the UK and internationally. As well as creating
ground-breaking productions and working with the most talented theatre-makers, the National
Theatre of Scotland produces significant community engagement projects, innovates digitally and
works constantly to develop new talent.
Central to this is finding pioneering ways to reach current and new audiences and to encourage
people’s full participation in the Company’s work. With no performance building of its own, the
Company works with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theatre of the
highest quality. Founded in 2006, the Company, in its short life, has become a globally significant
theatrical player, with an extensive repertoire of award-winning work.
The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government.
www.nationaltheatrescotland.com
2. Told by an Idiot creates theatre for national and international touring and for specific spaces. They
set out to explore the human condition by celebrating and revelling in a style of theatre that is
bigger than life. The company always seeks to acknowledge the artifice of theatre and makes no
attempt to put reality on stage. They remain, however, fascinated by the fine line between comedy
and tragedy that exists in the real world.
Through collaborative writing, anarchic physicality and a playful but rigorous approach to text, the
company is committed to creating a genuinely spontaneous experience for the audience. Using a
wealth of imagery and a rich theatrical language, they aim to tell universal stories that are
accessible to all.
3. Currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary year, the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company is a crucible of
Scottish talent and the best of world theatre with a strong reputation for developing Scotland’s
considerable indigenous artists while presenting the best of international drama. With a strong
reputation for excellence in both classical and contemporary work, The Lyceum is committed to
developing Scotland’s indigenous theatre talents and presenting the best of international drama
from its home in a magnificent, intimate Victorian building in Edinburgh’s West End.
In recent years, The Lyceum has staged co-productions with Theatre Royal, Bath; The Bush Theatre,
London; Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company; National Theatre of Scotland; Citizens Theatre;
Dundee Rep; Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse; Chichester Festival Theatre and the Lyric
Hammersmith.
In addition, The Lyceum also runs an award-winning, ambitious and acclaimed Creative Learning
programme which engages with over 16,000 young people across Scotland annually.
For more information, please visit lyceum.org.uk