Stuntman is going on tour!

We are thrilled to be touring Scotland this Autumn with our new production of Stuntman, an explosive physical performance by two men exploring the relationships between violence and masculinity through stunts and satire. Taking inspiration from classic and contemporary action movies such as Die Hard and John Wick to create high-octane and sometimes ridiculous fight scenes, Stuntman examines the impact that having action-hero role models has on men and boys. 

A photograph of performers Sadiq Ali and David Banks, both wearing tight white t-shirts and black trousers, brightly lit against a white wall with their shadows dramatically large behind them. David, on the right, is facing front and yelling while swinging a punch that Sadiq, on the left, is bending backwards to dodge, hands in the air. Red light comes from the left.
Image credit: Brian Hartley

He says they made my hands into bombs. 

I’m waiting for him to say ‘you don’t have to do this, it’s ok. You don’t have to do this.’ 

Instead he says, ‘Jump on the spot. You’re shaking. We can’t let them see that you’re shaking.’ 

A striking, film set-inspired design by Rachel O’Neill, with sound by Richy Carey and lights from Michaella Fee, will immerse the audience in the excitement of the heightened, cartoonish fights and draw us into the performers’ personal stories of their experience with violence and aggression. With hard-hitting and entertaining theatrics, performers David Banks and Sadiq Ali introduce an up-close and personal look into their lives in an intensely physical, funny, and tender duet from men who wrestle with their relationship to violence – both onscreen and off. 

Set in traverse, the audience are front and centre of the action; an intimate yet explosive duo performance juxtaposes the anger, rage, and hype that men can feel on the brink of a fight with the calm softness and tenderness of not wishing to be violent. Adrenaline, tension and laugh-out-loud moments allows the audience to consider the themes of this work while watching an entertaining piece of highly physical theatre, taking away some food for thought around their relationship to violence in the media and how it influences our lives. Fusing the Pow! Biff! and Wallop! of over-the-top stunt fights with personal stories of real encounters with violence from the performers’ lives, Stuntman is for anyone who has ever enjoyed a violent action movie (but maybe felt a bit weird about it). 

Running Time 60 minutes 

Recommended for ages 14+. Contains themes of violence, reference to suicide and strong language (including racial slur) 

Dates

Friday 23rd – Saturday 24th SeptemberPlatform
The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Glasgow, G34 9JW https://www.platform-online.co.uk 
Thursday 29th SeptemberAn Tobar and Mull Theatre
Druimfin, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, PA75 6QB https://www.antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk 
Sunday 2nd OctoberBeacon Arts Centre
Custom House Quay, Greenock, PA15 1HJ 
https://www.beaconartscentre.co.uk
Wednesday 5th – Friday 7th OctoberThe Lemon Tree – Aberdeen Performing Arts
5 W N Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5AT 
https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com
Tuesday 11th – Wednesday 12th October SEALL (Various Locations tbc) 
Skye
https://www.seall.co.uk 
Friday 14th – Saturday 15th October Assembly Roxy (Roxy Centre)
2 Roxburgh Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9SU 
https://assemblyfestival.com/roxy 

Credits

Director & Deviser – Pete Lannon (he/him) 

Performer & Deviser – David Banks (he/him + they/them) 

Performer & Deviser – Sadiq Ali (he/him) 

Scenographer – Rachel O’Neill (she/her) 

Lighting Designer – Michaella Fee (she/her) 

Sound Designer – Richy Carey (he/him) 

Dramaturg – Kim Donohoe (she/her) 

Action Consultant – Emma Claire Brightlyn (she/her) 

Action Assistant – Robin Hellier (he/him) 

Engagement Coordinator – Eoin McKenzie (he/him) 

Producer – Nicola Lawton (she/her) 

Originally created by – Pete Lannon, Ellie Dubois & David Banks

Photographer – Brian Hartley 

Marketing & PR – Chloe Nelkin Consulting

All enquiries, high res images and further information: 

Georgina Carter, Chloé Nelkin Consulting 

E: georgina@chloenelkinconsulting.com, T: 020 3627 2960 

W: www.chloenelkinconsulting.com