SCORCHED

Scorched is a powerful story of war, trauma and the disintegration brought on by dementia.

There’s a war raging inside Jack’s head. Egypt 1941. WWII. An escaped German officer. A two day chase across the brutal Sahara. A triumphant capture. A hero's return. England 1991. Jack reigns from the armchair of his rest home, a local legend and decorated veteran of Tobruk.

Former river warden, boxer, horse whisperer, charmer and highly prolific father. Memories are, by his own hand, tattooed on his body but dementia is eroding his mind. As the Gulf War rages in the media, the past drags him back to his own scorched sands.

Told from the armchair of Jack's care home Scorched uses new writing, physical theatre, period music, puppetry and projection to create a hazardous journey of remembrance.

Inspired by the true stories from life of writer Lisle Turner's grandfather in the 75th anniversary year of the battle of Tobruk.

Scorched played a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe followed by a national tour.

LIVE THEATRE. 70MINS.

PRESS

  • ★★★★ “Lisle Turner’s script covers much ground with admirable brevity. The heat and dust are brilliantly evoked in Claire Coaché’s production which creeps up on you with cunning stealth — it’s not until the end that you realise its quiet power.”

    The Times

  • ★★★★★“It’s ironic – how a show about failing memory should be unforgettable; but it is. ‘Scorched’ is a truly outstanding production.”

    FringeReview

  • “Exquisitely executed, creating a theatricality that’s rare in a solo show”

    The Scotsman

  • ★★★★★ “The sheer amount of work that has been put in by the production company to create such a moving piece of work is outstanding”

    Broadway Baby

  • ★★★★★ ‘Scorched is a lacerating play that achieves balance and nuance’

    FringeGuru

  • “Striking theatrical invention”

    The Stage

CAST

  • ROBIN BERRY

CREW

Directed by Claire Coaché
Written by Lisle Turner
Produced by Turtle Key Arts
Set Design by Andrew Purvin
Lighting & Video Design by Ben Hughes
Costume Design by Juliet Blamey
Sound Design by Robin Berry
Animations by Emma Lazenby & Susie Owens

Production Photography by Jack Offord

THANKS TO

With thanks to Lindy Turner, Sue Fletcher, Lyle Percival, John Percival, Ben Griffin, John Tittley, Veterans For Peace, Eddie Clark and the residents at Credenhill Court Care Home, Helen Loy, Gillian Hipp and Performing Arts Department at Hereford College of Arts, David Durant, Penny Allen & Katrin Cross at Courtyard Hereford, Dave Jones and all at Rural Media, Kelly Bray and www.topright.co.uk

Co-commissioned by Creative Ageing and Courtyard Hereford. Funded by Arts Council England National Lottery Funding with financial support from The Elmley Foundation