The Dodo Experiment

By Martin Travers and Chloe Wyper

Performed by The Citizens Theatre’s Wac Ensemble

20 – 23 April 2022

The Dodo Experiment is supported by Arts in the City (supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland).

CAST

GENNA ALLAN ARIA REILLY / MISS CLARA EYNSFORD HILL

HUNTER CHRISTIAN JESSEN HUGO WINSTON / COLONEL PICKERING

SHANNON LYNCH LAYLA ARNOULT / MRS EYNSFORD HILL

KIERAN MCKENZIE TREVOR RIVERS

CAITLIN RUBY MUIR BELLA CONSTANTINE / MRS HIGGINS

ALLAN OTHIENO DAVID KNOH / HENRY HIGGINS

NATALIE ROCHACELLI PEGGY MACKAY / MISS ELIZA DOOLITTLE

LOUISE SCOTT MADDIE DOUGLAS / PARLOUR-MAID / FREDDY EYNSFORD HILL

CREATIVE TEAM

Writers: Martin Travers And Chloe Wyper, Director: Fiona Mackinnon, Set Designer: Christine Ting - Huan Urquhart, Costume Design: Elaine G Coyle, Lighting Design: Stuart Jenkins, Composer/sound Designer: Calum Paterson, Fight Director: Emmaclaire Brightlyn, Choreographer/movement: Daniel Brawley, Dance Captain: Genna Allan, Project Support: Keira Lucchesi

THE CITIZENS THEATRE WAC ENSEMBLE

The Citizens Theatre WAC Ensemble is a theatre company for careexperienced young adults aged 18 – 26. It offers a positive, supportive and empowering space for its members to explore and learn about all aspects of a professional theatre, develop their creative talents, and tell the stories that are important to them. For more information visit citz.co.uk/WACensemble

PROJECT PARTNERS: ARTS IN THE CITY

When I was first approached by the Citizens Theatre and asked if I’d be interested in being part of the steering group for a new theatre group for care experienced young people, I was genuinely excited. As administrator for Arts in the City, the social work project promoting the engagement of care experienced young people in the arts, it seemed a perfect fit. I had little idea then just how much could be achieved.

A lot of thought and preparation went into making the conditions just right for these young theatre makers to engage and learn, but the real success of the WAC Ensemble is down to the amazing young people who brought their energy and dedication to every session. An awardwinning sell-out show, dramatic radio play, two films and Edinburgh festival performances exceeded my expectations.

The Dodo Experiment is their most ambitious project yet. It feels like they’ve changed the link between care experience and theatre making in Scotland forever... and they’ve only just started their journey!

Clare Macaulay, Arts in The City

A NOTE FROM THE WRITERS

Since 2018, I have been a member of the Citizens Theatre WAC Ensemble. During those four years, I have raised my confidence as a performer and now as an emerging playwright. I was unable to act in this production because I was going to have a baby, so Martin suggested I co-write The Dodo Experiment with him. I have written poems, short plays and stories in the past but having the opportunity to do something this in-depth was really an honour for me.

Chloe Wyper, Co-Writer

Working with Chloe, Maureen Carr and the WAC Ensemble on the development of the script for this play has been an amazing experience. Scotland needs more acting ensembles like this one. Ensembles where young talented theatre makers with care experience can be professionally supported to make direct, entertaining and at times savage work. The WAC Ensemble are trailblazers – the future of Scottish theatre is in the palms of their hands as far as I can see.

Martin Travers, Co-Writer

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

With special thanks to The Clutha Trust, Maureen Carr, Megan Kay and Dr Louise Hill.

Playtext

THIS DYSTOPIAN THRILLER IS AVAILABLE TO BUY FOR £5.

All proceeds from our sales go to the Ensemble’s work.

THE CITIZENS COMPANY

Esther Batterham Marketing & Communications Officer, Catherine Bird Payroll Officer, Ashleigh Blair Scenic Artist, Alex Brady Box Office Supervisor / IT, Suzanne Brady Box Office, Katrina Caldwell Learning Tutor, Peter Clerke Learning Tutor, Natalia Cortes Company Stage Manager, Elaine G Coyle Head of Wardrobe, Denise Differ Box Office Manager, Louise Dingwall Press and Marketing Officer, Karen Dunbar Learning Tutor, Lisa Dundas Box Office, Elaine Ellis Front of House, Catrin Evans Head of Creative Learning, Barry Forde Assistant Stage Manager, Tabitha Gardner Front of House, Elly Goodman Community Drama Artist, Davy Harrop Stage Technician, Stephen Harrop Stage Technician, Dominic Hill Artistic Director, Neil Hobbs Deputy Head of Lighting & Sound, Olivia Hughes Box Office, Euan Jenkins Stage Door Administrator / Front of House, Stuart Jenkins Head of Lighting & Sound, Simon Jones Stage Door Administrator, Amber Keating Digital Officer, Jenny Knotts Box Office, Carol Laula Learning Tutor, Jamie Leary Box Office, Alison Lewis Marketing & Communications Manager, Alison MacKinnon Head of Marketing & Communications, Carly McCaig Community Drama Worker, Grant McDonald Front of House, Morna McGeoch Learning Tutor, Alex McGowan Executive Director, Lawrie McInally Stage Door Administrator, Claire McNeil Finance Manager, Jon Meggat Stage Technician, Rachel Mimiec Learning Tutor, Jim Morrison Front of House, Jacqueline Muir Production Administrator, Jack Mullen Box Office, Ailsa Munro Learning Tutor, Denis Murphy Head of Workshop, Katherine Murphy Front of House, Neil Packham Community Drama Director, Frances Poet Literary Associate, Gail Power Learning Tutor, Valerie Rickis Deputy Stage Manager, Molly Ross Individual Giving & Events Officer, Saffron Shearer Wardrobe Assistant / Dresser, Mags Smillie Head of Finance , Laura Smith Deputy Head of Production, Andy Stuart Sound Supervisor / Number 1, Graham Sutherland Head of Production, Martin Travers Producer (Citizens Learning), Colin White Learning Tutor, David Young Facilities Supervisor

Board

April Chamberlain (Chair), Alex Reedijk (Vice Chair), Councillor Susan Aitken, Laurence Fraser, Dominic Hill, Jackie Kay, John McElwee, James Scanlon, Irene Tweedie and Louise Welsh.

SUPPORTING CITIZENS

CORPORATE CITIZENS

Kube Networks, Two Fat Ladies

SUPPORTERS

Arts in The City (supported by National Lottery through Creative Scotland), Comic Relief, Cruden Foundation, The Ernst Maas Educational Trust, The Garrick Charitable Trust, Glasgow Buildings Preservation Trust, Glasgow City Health & Social Care Partnership, Life Changes Trust, Morrisons Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund (Young Start), The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, Postcode Community Trust, Scottish Government, Souter Charitable Trust

Citizens Theatre warmly acknowledges support from our core funders Glasgow City Council and Creative Scotland.

BEST FRIENDS

Amish Amin, David Armstrong, Susan Bell, John Bremner, Rosemary Bremner, Kevin Roderick Brown, April Chamberlain, Sean Daisley, Julie Doughty, John Ferris, Mary Henderson, Eleanor Hyland, Gordon Jeyes, John & Agnese Keeper, Joe Kelly, Chris Kenny, Roddy & Christine Macpherson, John McElwee, Miriam McKenna, Ian McSeveny, Chris Paterson, Rita Rae, Walter & Janet Reid, Adrienne Scullion, Nancy Smillie, Sheila Stallard, Larry Sullivan, Louise Welsh

Additional thanks to the many individuals that have also given donations throughout the year, and those who would prefer their support to remain anonymous.

Contact the Development Department – development@citz.co.uk

HELP US GET BACK HOME

We’re making big changes to 119 Gorbals Street as we work to repair, conserve and transform our iconic home. We can’t wait to welcome you back to our auditorium and we’re making good progress – but we still need your help to complete the project.

Please donate now at - citz.co.uk/redevelopment

Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @citizenstheatre

citz.co.uk

Citizens Theatre Ltd. Registered No. SC022513 and is a Scottish Charity No.SC001337.