Flashback Theatre Company
This group is for anyone over the age of 18 who are interested in making their own theatre.
Made to Connect
In the not-too-distant future, robots take care of every human need. Why then, does everyone seem so unhappy? Will it take a malfunctioning robot to enable people to find human connections again?
Following on from last year’s hit The Lobby, Flashback Theatre Company presents a comedy exploring how we can refind our humanity in an absurd world.
Where: The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh EH6 8RG
When: 20th June, 6.30pm | 21st June, 6pm & 8pm | 22nd June, 6.30pm
Cost: £9 (£6)
Licensed cafe open 30 minutes before show.
Previous Performances:
The Lobby
It's a big day for the staff of the Glimpse of the Sea Hotel. Things have been quiet of late, but today legendary seventies punk band Pickled Tonic will be checking in. Surely everything will run smoothly? Small annoyances like leaks, room mix-ups and dead bodies won't be a problem as long as it all looks good on instagram right?
Following on from last year's sold out show The Boundary, Flashback Theatre Company present a comedy that gives us some space to laugh about how incompetent leadership and style over substance are unfortunately part of our everyday lives.
The Boundary
1920. The residents of a block of tenement flats on the border between Leith and Edinburgh go about their daily business on the backgreen; hanging out washing, filling the coal scuttle, queueing for the cludgie – and occasionally acting out news stories from the Leith Observer. Can they make sense of all the politics at play?
Marking a hundred (and two!) years since the Edinburgh Tramways and Extension Bill, The Boundary explores the amalgamation of Leith into Edinburgh in 1920. We are sorry if material and jokes about trams and referendums on independence have no relevance today...
The Sideshow
Omawick. A small town on the edge of a big town. A place with a rich history and a strong community spirit. But recently times have been hard and change is needed. The Fair is coming. Change is coming. But is it the change that the community wants? Who speaks for Omawick and what will be left behind once the Fair has moved on?
Inspired by the current Save Leith Walk campaign, The Sideshow continues the successful partnership between Active Inquiry and Strange Town, this year in collaboration with All or Nothing. It is part of the Displaced project exploring gentrification and regeneration in Leith and beyond.
Overtime
Leith walk 2018. A lollipop man and a homeless woman watch the thousands of people going about their daily routines - hiding in the toilet, answering emails at 2am or struggling to make ends meet. Is the money worth the effort?
Continuing the successful partnership between Active Inquiry's Flashback Drama Group and Strange Town Young Company, Overtime is devised by the cast based on their experiences of work today and written by Catherine Exposito.
The Waves on the Seas - Leith and Fringe Festivals 2017
Following on from the success of last year's Tales from the Hanging Captain, Active Inquiry's Flashback Drama Group, Strange Town Young Company and writer Duncan Kidd join forces again to continue to tell the story of Leith Docks.
Following three generations of Italian immigrants the play explores how Leith has affected the lives of all those who have come and gone over the years and the mark that they have made.
"This excellent ensemble cast keep the action tight and focused, ensuring an engrossing view of Leith that certainly doesn't outstay its welcome" 4 stars, Broadway Baby. Read the full review
Tales From The Hanging Captain - Leith Festival and Forest Fringe 2016
Following the hugely successful production of "Persevere", part of last year's Gretna 100 Project, Active Inquiry's Flashback Drama group and Strange Town Young Company join forces again to explore the history of Leith docks. This inspirational play reflects some of the hidden stories and voices of Leith docks. Set in the fictional Leith pub, 'The Hanging Captain', the audience will be taken on a voyage through time, as stories of the Dockers' involvement in the whaling industry, the 'Darien Scheme' and the strikes of 1913 unfold.
"if ever there was a town full of stories, that knew how to persevere in telling them, it’s the venerable, beautiful and unpredictable Port of Leith." 3 stars, Joyce Mcmillan, The Scotsman. Read the full review
Persevere - May, Leith Festival and Forest Fringe 2015
On the 22nd May 1915, at Quintinshill near Gretna, the worst train disaster in British railway history left over 200 men from the 1/7th Royal Scots dead. This "Leith Battalion" trained at the Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street which later became the focus point for families looking for information after the disaster.
Working with Out of the Blue in this same building 100 years later, a group of community actors from Active Inquiry and Strangetown have researched and devised a piece of promenade theatre, Persevere, which guides the audience around the Drill Hall and enables them to catch glimpses of stories of Leithers 100 years ago saying goodbye to sons and brothers, hearing the news of the crash and coping with the aftermath.
"It's difficult not to be moved and shaken by the profound sense of place, time and continuity conjured up by this fine 24-strong community Company" 4 Stars, Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman. Read the full review
Fish is the Future - Leith Festival and Forest Fringe 2014
Will Fishtowners keep their autonomy or cross the mysterious bridge?
The small island community of Fishtown has existed for centuries, cut off from the world. But when a mysterious bridge appears, heading off into the mist, Fishtowners are faced with a choice – seek a connection with others or preserve their autonomy? Is this a religious miracle, an opportunity or a threat of invasion? As Fishtowners try to find the answers they are forced to confront the divisions within their own community.
Fish is the Future takes a humorous look at what independence means for Fishtown and may be of interest to residents of other countries having similar debates…
Taking Care of Business - Leith Festival and Forest Fringe 2013
Will the Contract be fulfilled?
Why do millions of people tune in every week to watch TV chat show The Business? Is it for the fashion and cookery tips, celebrity guests and music performances? Or is it to see someone murdered in the name of entertainment?
Taking Care of Business explored the dark side of entertainment and the lengths people will go to for celebrity status.
The Retreat - Leith Festival 2012
The reunion has been organised but will anybody come?
The Retreat was a special time for Jason, a time to get away from things and meet new and different people. So special in fact, that he has organised a reunion. But how do people change over time? Is the reunion a good idea? Will it ever happen?
The Retreat explored the effects that time and economic decisions have on people's lives.
Next in Line - Leith Festival 2011
John has always believed in taking a ticket and waiting his turn. But when he wakes up in the mysterious "Waiting Room" he has to figure out how he got there, what he is waiting for and, more importantly, how to escape.
Next in Line explored the concepts of "order" and "chaos" through the uniquely British pastime of queuing!
"A clever script and expertly-choreographed performance won over the sold out audience, who leave the Out of the Blue Drill Hall happy." Rebecca Gordon, STV
The Legacy - Leith Festival 2010
The Cafe was always a place where you could go and talk about changing the world. But now a bigger change is happening; something that requires less talk and more action...
Devised and written by the cast and directed by Gavin Crichton, The Legacy explores how we deal with change and how we can be actively involved in enabling positive change to happen in our lives and communities.
“It has a real sense of life and topicality.” Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
Comfort Zone - Leith Festival 2009
It is the year 2030 and the launch night of SpaZe Inc’s plans for the redevelopment of the Harbourstone area. Will everything go as planned or will community resistance finally boil to the surface?
“A strong piece of issue-based theatre that works both as entertainment and as a call to take on responsibility for yourself.” Thom Dibdin, Evening News
Think Tank – Leith Festival 2008
Welcome to the opening night of the latest exhibition by renowned artist Tunde Aragundade. As a group of art lovers casually mill around the exhibits and installations, the evening takes a sinister turn… blackouts, visions, abductions and bloodshed. Is this part of the artistic experience or is there something more menacing at work? Join the group as they embark on a thrilling journey through a series of darkly comic incidents.
“A strong, tense situation...conveyed with plenty of energy by the cast”. Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman