A FRINGE production which 'shamelessly ridicules the systems of power' is set to take to the Eastgate stage later this month.
After premiering as part of the Traverse Festival at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Exodus, a play created by Uma Nada-Rajah, will begin its tour in Peebles next week.
The satirical play follows Home Secretary Asiya Rao (Aryana Ramkhalawon) and her cut-throat advisor Phoebe Bernays (Sophie Steer) on a campaign path to to become the country's new leader.
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— National Theatre of Scotland (@NTSonline) August 18, 2022
"searing scrutiny on our values..." (Sunday Express)
Exodus is an uncomfortably funny look at how far a politician will go for the top job from writer @UmaNadaRajah3, directed by @DebbieHannan.
See it @TraverseTheatre and touring this Autumn: https://t.co/N03D2InNlc pic.twitter.com/LtiuXrq5YY
A spokesperson for Exodus said: "Bold, satirical and uncomfortably funny, Exodus explores systematic deception and the indifference to human suffering.
"In her bid to become the country’s leader, Home Secretary Asiya Rao prepares to make a major policy announcement that will establish her as the front-runner of the political race. Alongside her cut-throat and calculating advisor Phoebe, she embarks on a publicity stunt starting with a photo shoot by the white cliffs of Dover. But rather than the tide washing her reputation clean, something else washes up…
"An omen or an opportunity? The women are determined to keep their eyes on the prize, no matter the cost, even if it’s a human one."
Ramkhalawon and Steer are also joined by Anna Russell-Martin who takes on the role of young journalist Tobi Tucker, and Habiba Saleh who plays Haben Haile, a performer trained in opera.
Uma Nada-Rajah was the Starter Female Political Comedy Writer in Residence with the National Theatre of Scotland.
Her works include: The Domestic for National Theatre of Scotland’s Scenes for Survival digital programme (which has more than 4.4million views), National Theatre of Scotland’s online festive show Rapunzel, and Toy Plastic Chicken.
Toy Plastic Chicken recently won Uma the inaugural Kavya Prize, a Scottish literary prize celebrating published work by Scottish writers of colour.
Uma is based in Kilbarchan and also works as a nurse for NHS Scotland.
Exodus will be at the Eastgate Theatre, Peebles, on Wednesday, August 21 at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £16 (£14 concession).
For more information on the show and the cast, visit: www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/exodus
To buy tickets, click here.
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