Sea Words

Theatre (clown, lgbtq+)

  • Summerhall - Former Womens Locker Room
  • 17:15
  • Aug 27
  • 1 hour
  • Suitability: 16+ (Guideline)
  • Country: United Kingdom - England
  • Group: Olly Gully in association with NTA Productions
  • Warnings and additional info: Audience participation, Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, Strong language/swearing
  • Accessibility:
    Captioning
    May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
  • Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
  • Policy applies to: Children under 2 years

Description

Chris and Christine are a seasoned seaside double act. But when Christine mysteriously refuses to perform, Chris' chaotic solo-effort takes both dangerously out of their depth. Written and performed by award-winning theatre maker Olly Gully (Hear Myself Think, Dietrich: Natural Duty) and directed by Sophie Mercell (Told by an Idiot), this camp and irreverent new play takes a darkly comic cannonball into the heart of the untameable deep. Reviews for Natural Duty: ***** (Fest), ***** (BroadwayWorld.com), ***** (BritishTheatreGuide.com).

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General venue access

  • Captioning
  • Accessible entry: From the main reception you can either take the stairs (10 steps) underneath the main stair case and into the basement or the lift just off from the main reception.
  • Wheelchair access type: Building Lift

  • Stairs: 11- 20
    Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.

Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info


Captioned performances

  • Dates: 22 August
  • Type: Open
  • Booking options: You can book independently online, or contact our access team to book your tickets and request any specific seating locations or if booking a unit is required.

How and when to make an access booking

Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:

  • Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
  • Requires extra assistance when at a venue
  • Has specific seating requirements
  • Is a wheelchair user
  • Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance

Jo 39 days ago

An innovative twist on old-fashioned British comedy, this show features a strong script and a remarkably versatile performance from Gully as it moves from camp to dark comedy to genuinely bleak. The incidental queer representation was a pleasant bonus, as were the moments of environmentalist content. 5/5 stars.

ACCESSIBILITY: Captions were generally very good but at two points they failed to cover what was being said, which is not ideal. One just said [COMEDY AD LIB], which was frustrating for me as an autistic hearing person with auditory processing issues, but must have been much worse for anyone who couldn't hear or lip-read the audio component. I wished the show description had come with clearer content warnings, too, as it ends on a particularly distressing note (see below for my attempt at detailed content warnings).

CONTENT WARNINGS (MAJOR SPOILERS): Second-hand embarrassment and stress (a lot of things ostensibly 'go wrong' with the show, which is played mostly for comic effect), portrayal of depression and possible C-PTSD, first-person description of child abuse (physical abuse: near-drowning), portrayal of toxic positivity and failing to perform mental health first aid on a loved one, implication of psychosis and bereavement/abandonment. The final moments of the show portray a person having a breakdown and sobbing.

Rachel 46 days ago

Hilarious show, brilliantly and energetically performed. Starts off laugh a minute but will surprise you with its heart too. Absolutely recommend.

Nick Hunn 50 days ago

This is an absolutely brilliant piece - think "The Entertainer" on steroids. Veering from raucous hilarity to pathos, it's unlike anything else you're likely to see at Summerhall and a must see. It deserves to sell out, so catch it while you can.

Loretta Hope 55 days ago

Bloody fantastic & very funny, start to finish...what a show! A must watch, in the solo show category.


Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

The Crumb (4/5 stars) 42 days ago

This is a truly virtuosic one-man show. It deserves to pack out every performance.

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ThreeWeeks (3/5 stars) 42 days ago

Excellent physical comedy and smooth are-you-being-served patter.

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To Do List (3.5/5 stars) 46 days ago

An undeniably impressive solo performance from Olly Gully

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Theatre Travels 48 days ago

Pure gold clowing. What a privilege to be in the room. Go see this show!!

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Disrupting Stages 48 days ago

Pure gold clowning. What a privilege to be in the room. Go see this show!!

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The Crumb (4/5 stars) 52 days ago

A truly virtuosic one-man show

Read the full review


Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.