Hit festival stage play Mouthpiece returns as a film set in and around Edinburgh

LIVE theatre may be thin on the ground at the moment across the UK but that doesn’t necessarily mean that its influence can’t be felt in many of the online offerings being presented by venues across the Capital this August.

Lorn Macdonald as Declan

One highlight of the coming month is sure to be the Traverse Theatre’s ‘new take’ on their acclaimed 2019 Festival hit, Mouthpiece. Entitled Declan, the piece is an immersive film experience that will introduce audiences to an Edinburgh as seen by the titular character.

Directed by Lorn Macdonald, who played Declan in the original 2018 production of Mouthpiece, the piece confronts the city’s exclusion of sections of its population from its world-famous cultural offerings. Using excerpts of Kieran Hurley’s original text for Mouthpiece, Declan blends footage filmed in real Edinburgh locations with original animations and audio to place the audience firmly in Declan’s shoes.

17-year-old Declan’s Edinburgh isn’t the one the world knows and celebrates. Rather than theatres, galleries and concert halls, his days are spent protecting his little sister, avoiding his mum’s boyfriend and making sense of his world through his drawings... that is, until he meets Libby, a playwright who takes his story and puts it on stage for all to see.

Frank, unflinching and filled with unexpected humour, the work wrenches the spotlight away from those doing the talking, to those being talked about.

Macdonald says, “Mouthpiece and playing the part of Declan, was hugely important to me, so revisiting the character in this new way has been both surreal and exciting. The opportunity to explore Edinburgh through the eyes of Declan has been a unique and exciting experience. I’m grateful to the Traverse for the chance to investigate Kieran’s story through a new lens, and hope audiences will enjoy the twists and turns as much as I enjoyed making it.”

Traverse Executive Producer Linda Crooks adds, “2020 is a challenging year for many - none more so than the sections of our community already dealing with disadvantage and deprivation, who must not be left behind as we emerge into whatever the future may hold post-Covid. We are delighted that Declan’s story is being given a new lease of life, embedded firmly in Edinburgh’s streets, through the vision of Lorn Macdonald and a team of talented collaborators. Declan has much more to say - and it is imperative we listen and ensure we create culture which is truly representative, accessible and of interest to all.”

Watch Declan on the Traverse Theatre and EIF websites from 24 August.

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