World premiere of Poena 5X1, or How I Came To Agree With Right-Wing Thinking
Sex, politics and the power of love are explored in the world premiere of this brilliant, provocative Scandi noir thriller from Northern Ireland’s multi-award-winning Abbie Spallen (Pumpgirl, Strandline, Lally The Scut - Irish Play of the Year, Irish Times December 2015).
Bryony Adams is an idealistic government scientist working to create a new and humane form of punishment, within a justice system crippled by prison overcrowding. But when a cabinet minister with a reputation tries to exploit her idealism for profit she feels betrayed. Her response is extreme and unexpected and will have devastating consequences for her and those she loves.
Commissioned and directed for Inside Intelligence by Robert Shaw (Product, Assembly 2014), Poena 5X1 also has music specially composed by twice Grammy-nominated Tarik O’Regan, described by Gramophone Magazine as one of the leading British composers of his generation. Poena 5X1 has a fierce political edge and one final terrifying twist.
Director Robert Shaw comments, "I’m really excited to be working with Abbie on our first new commission. We look forward to honouring her play as we develop this key aspect of our work.
Rosie Kellagher, Literary Associate, Traverse Theatre comments, Gripping, enormously relevant and impressive. I particularly like the fact that it’s an overtly political story that places a woman centre stage in exploring issues of global significance."
Abbie Spallen is a renowned writer, actor and film producer. Her awards as a writer include the Stewart Parker major award, The Tony Doyle award, The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the Clare McIntyre Bursary from The Royal Court, the Peggy Ramsay award, the Dublin City Council Bursary for Literature and the HALMA Foundation award for excellence in the European arts.
PERFORMANCES
Performance Dates Wednesday 3rd – Monday 29th August (not 17th), 15:20
Running time 50 minutes
Location Underbelly Med Quad (Ermintrude), Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG
Box Office Tickets are available from www.underbellyedinburgh.co.uk or www.edfringe.com or 0131 226 0000
Previews: £6
Weekday: £9 (£8)
Weekend: £11 (£10)