A CAST of injured and sick former service men and women are to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe to premiere Unspoken, a play based on the stories of 100 veterans.
The play, written by Gary Kitching, is presented by the Bravo 22 Company military arts-based recovery programme.
Wheelchair user Ken Bellringer plays the club singer and “sit-down stand-up comedian”.
He was given only the "slimmest chances of survival" after his attempt to save another soldier from a Taliban bomb resulted in injuries including the loss of both legs.
Other performers suffer from PTSD, paralysis and other injuries.
Kitching said:“Unspoken reflects the experiences of love, loss, loneliness and hope that are the reality for sick and wounded veterans and their families.
"These aren’t people who want sympathy. They just want to tell their story and be better understood.
“I spoke to people all round the country and have tried to reflect their stories and experiences, characters, culture and the challenges they face.
"And if ever there was a time to think about how much has been endured by so many, it must be 2018 – the anniversary of the end of the First World War."
It will run at the Pleasance venue from August 21-27.
Unspoken is directed by Phil Hoffman.
www.unspokenplay.com
THE Assembly Roxy, in Edinburgh, is seeking proposals from artists based in Scotland looking to make "bold new work which explores and tests the boundaries of live performance."
Usually the Roxy has invited work, but now says it is to open submissions from "emerging Scottish and Scotland-based artists and companies at all stages of their careers."
The work can be theatre, dance, comedy, spoken word, performance art or interdisciplinary work.
Luke Holbrook, programmer of Assembly Roxy said: "At the Roxy it is our ambition to create a vibrant hub where artists can meet, collaborate and most importantly, have the opportunity to make new work.
"Our Open Submissions Programming model will work alongside our Invitational Programming model and aims to complement our existing programme in ways which we hope will excite, surprise and provoke both us and our audiences."
All proposals must be submitted by Sunday 2 September.
www.assemblyfestival.com/roxy/open-submissions
THE Total Theatre Awards, given at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, have announced their short lists in five categories.
The short lists have been put together from 461 eligible shows, assessed over the first 11 days of the Fringe.
They are in the strands of Physical and Visual Theatre, Innovtion, Emerging, Circus and Dance.
Awards Co-Directors Jo Crowley and Becki Haines said: "This year’s shortlist highlights the power theatre and performance have as vehicles for communicating lived experience.
"Including exploration of political protest, consent, disability and power, this list celebrates the vital space theatre offers.
"These independent artists are navigating complex and personal conversations with exceptional care and rigour, and their process-led practices plant the seeds for how the sector can grow and develop to be more inclusive and accessible."
A total of 22 productions from 11 countries have been selected as the 2018 Shortlist for the awards.
Seven awards will be given across five categories and the judging panel will announce their decisions at an awards ceremony on 23 August.
www.totaltheatrenetwork.org
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