A Spectacle of Herself

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Dance, Physical Theatre and Circus (theatre, contemporary)

  • Venue 26
    Summerhall - Main Hall
  • 12:55
  • Aug 13
  • 1 hour
  • Suitability: 16+ (Guideline)
  • Country: United Kingdom - England
  • Group: Laura Murphy, Contra and Carré Magique
  • Warnings and additional info: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, Nudity, Strong language/swearing
  • Accessibility:
    Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
    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

Join Laura on a mission to serve herself up (in)appropriately for your consumption, in a bold, cinematic, acrobatic odyssey through the frontiers of mental health, queerness, rage and the 21st Century space race. Directed by Ursula Martinez, with Laura’s critical and cheeky signature mix of autobiography, lip-sync, video and aerial rope, A Spectacle of Herself navigates the personal and political, to seek out new worlds and ways to be seen. Summerhall Mary Dick Award Winner 2023. ‘Blistering’ **** (Fest). ’A complex new form of solo-theatre’ (Scotsman). ‘Murphy’s ability as a circus performer is mesmerising' **** (TheWeeReview.com).

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General venue access

  • Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
    Captioning
  • Accessible entry: Once in to the courtyard, follow the signs up the access ramp, around the front of the bar and into the main reception. Down the corridor on your right hand side is the lift on your right hand side. Take this to the first floor, then take a left through the double doors. The Main Hall is on your right.

    • Wheelchair access type: Permanent Ramp, Lift (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: 2 August, 13 August, 6 August, 8 August, 9 August, 10 August, 11 August, 12 August, 5 August, 4 August, 3 August
  • Type: NotSelected
  • 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

Ian Ritchie 103 days ago

Laura Murphy apparently has autism and a PhD and performs climbing on a rope with ease. She is preoccupied by many things, including Elon Musk and space. She performs in front of and behind a giant see-through screen on which videos and most of the dialogue is projected. A wide variety of (mostly weird) themes are explored.
At the end of the show Summerhall presented her with a trophy as one of their best new performances. ****

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Maria Savona 111 days ago

This is a real gem.
Perfect rhythm,
powerful message,
overwhelmingly clever way to narrate mental health,
a touching and comforting way to de-demonize anger, for all those that feel left alone when having to deal with it.
Laura is mesmerizing, and the performance is powerful, both physically and mentally.
You would go from bursting into unstoppable laughter with the Whitney Houston soundtrack to an amazing sense of empowerment. Not to be missed.

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Shani Peretz 113 days ago

Wasn’t sure what to expect but I loved this show. The rope acrobatics are amazing but the heartfelt story was the real treasure. I have seen over 20 shows and this is one I keep thinking about it…. Something you won’t see elsewhere, the sort of show you go to the fringe to see.

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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.

The Skinny (4/5 stars) 98 days ago

Murphy's connection with the audience is easy and honest; it feels like a safe place to laugh.

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Everything Theatre (4/5 stars) 105 days ago

Laura Murphy’s brainchild is a blistering jigsaw of different artforms and personal thoughts.

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Theatre Travels 107 days ago

Mesmerising!

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The Scotsman (4/5 stars) 113 days ago

A Spectacle of Herself is at once daring, dynamic, and disruptive.

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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.

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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.