We're still collecting donations
On the 11th April 2022 we'd raised £5,527 with 106 supporters in 56 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
To bring Saltire Sky's hard-hitting story to the rest of the UK, showcasing working-class voices, and making theatre more accessible to all.
by Ella Stokes in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
On the 11th April 2022 we'd raised £5,527 with 106 supporters in 56 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
This is for contingency.
We need to raise £5,000 to take 1902 on it's UK Tour.
This is why it matters:
THE JOURNEY
Originating in 2016, Saltire Sky have worked tirelessly to create immersive and lasting theatre experiences that bring stories by the people to the people. Specialising in new writing and modern classics, Saltire Sky makes Theatre for people who don't go to the Theatre. This ethos has led to four separate sell out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival alongside further productions across Scotland and the Midlands. 2018 and 2021 saw the production take on a 44 show run at the Festival on a two show a day basis.
Since debuting at the Wee Red Bar in 2017, '1902' has gone from strength to strength through the hard work of our Company, with many of us doubling our stage roles with writing, directing and production management. As a young Company, with little capitol, we have embraced the DIY nature of Fringe Theatre and are looking to take the next step in our journey by taking our work beyond the realms of Edinburgh.
Over the course of August '1902' garnered a lot of steam thanks in part to the outstanding support from the BBC who filmed and showcased the production in the Edinburgh Special of "Loop", which can be found on BBC iPlayer now. The cast were also invited to the BBC Edinburgh Festival site twice, once to record The Afternoon Show with Grant Stott that went out on BBC Radio Scotland, and a second time to a sold out audience in their BBC Fringe Showcase, highlighting some of the best of the festival.
In 2021, Saltire Sky were presented with Broadway Baby's Bobby Award marking '1902' as one of the best shows of this years festival, alongside an Off West End Nomination for a Short Run.
With '1902' up and running and ready to progress to the next stage, Saltire Sky are excited to present our Crowdfunder Campaign where you can get stuck in, and help us showcase how important working-class theatre is to the rest of the UK (and tomorrow THE WORLD).
PRESS
*OFFIE WINNER 2022*
OffFEST Winner for shows under the umbrella of Theatre Festivals
https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/offies-2022-the-winners-in-full
"Can't recommend this great show highly enough...Great piece of writing, acting and directing."
-Irvine Welsh
*BROADWAY BABY BOBBY AWARD WINNER 2021*
"A masterpiece of visceral theatre...Saltire Sky Theatre have created a stunning piece of immersive theatre, that's as uplifting as it is tragic."
-Richard Beck: Broadway Baby
"I can safely say this had to be one the most powerful performances I have ever watched. Leaving the arches I was completely blown away by the entire experience which is exactly what live Theatre is all about."
-Elaine Chapman: MyTheatreMates / Theatre and Arts Reviews
"With an electric atmosphere from beginning to end, spectacular performances, crucial subject matters and an immersive experience that heartens both the senses and soul, 1902 is a riveting watch that leaves you with a buzz like no other."
-Chloe Vilarrubi - TheTheatreGal
"Searingly Powerful"
-Joyce McMillan: The Scotsman
"This is an inspired piece of theatre, beautifully crafted by the writer and passionately performed by a flawless company... It’s bold and brash and I cannot recommend it highly enough, grab a ticket if you can."
-Euan Rose: London Pub Theatre Guide
MEET THE TEAM
Nathan Scott-Dunn (Artistic Director & Writer, "1902")
Nathan Scott-Dunn is a 26 year old Actor/Playwright and also Co-Director of 1902. Nathan founded Saltire Sky Theatre back in 2016 with an aim to create Visceral theatre that remains accessible to all. He recently graduated from the BA Acting Course at The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Recent Theatre Credits include Deeks “1902”, Jason “Medea” and Macbeth “Macbeth”.
What does 1902 mean to you?
Theatre is for everybody, this play is that incarnate. We wanted to create a show that is accessible to the football fans that inspired it, and bringing the show to working class areas is how we are going to do it. 1902 opens doors that would otherwise be closed.
Sands Stirling (Co-Director, "1902") - Tony Longstaff
Sands is a Glasgow born Actor and Director. Originally meeting Nathan Scott-Dunn during 2015’s Comfort Slaves, they formed a partnership that saw them Co-Direct 1902 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2017 and the rest is history. Acting credits include The Lieutenant of Inishmore, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Jesus Christ Superstar, whilst Directing credits also include Alan McHugh’s Sleeping Beauty.
What does 1902 mean to you?
Having had the privilege to watch “1902” develop and grow since 2017, I have never tired of the connection felt between our audiences and our characters; taking in every sip of a drink, every joke told and every pain felt. Nathan’s writing encompasses the human spirit that truly deserves to be seen by many, brought to life by an incredibly talented group of young actors who, I’m proud to call friends. It would be an honour to take this show on tour and bring this story to the masses.
Cameron Docker - Company Member
Cameron Docker is a former student at Edinburgh College's PASS course who joined Saltire Sky for their first show "Jumpers For Goalposts". Outside of Saltire Sky, Cameron has taken part in Award winning short films such as the cortoLovere Film Festival winner "Nowhere Yet" and the feature length multi-award winning "Riptide".
What does 1902 mean to you?
1902 is the only show I know that's truly about opportunity. The only show that speaks for the people, and is spoken by the people. While Hibs and perseverance might be the main backdrop of the story, the true focus is on hope and moving forward despite whatever hardships may face you as a member of the working class. It's not that people will want to see this show. People need to see this show.
Bailey Newsome - Derek "Deeks" Longstaff
Bailey is a 23 year old actor from Glasgow. He graduated from the Royal Conservatoire Of Scotland in 2019. Since then he has worked with Dundee Rep, The Citizens Theatre and BBC Scotland. Theatre Credits: Middletown, Philistines, Julius Caesar, Strucken moon, Wilf and The Whale, The Breathing House and San Diego (All RCS) Humbug! (RCS/Citizens Theatre) Tay Bridge, A-Z of Dundee, Oor Wullie: The Musical, A potted Christmas Carol and. A wee swatch of Oor Wullie (All Dundee Rep) 1902 (Saltire Sky/LME) Film and TV credits: The Field of Blood (BBC Scotland) The Sunny and Scot Squad (The comedy unit) Saved (Creative Scotland).
What does 1902 mean to you?
1902 matters to me because it combines my 2 loves, football and theatre. It’s also an incredibly important play in regards to men's mental health, which is something very close to my heart. The main thing, however, is seeing the response of folk watching the show, a lot of the time the audience is filled with people who don’t normally go to the theatre, and for me that’s the magic of it! It’s a theatre show for everyone.
Ella Stokes - Margaret "Mags" Evesham
Ella is a 23 year old actor-singer from Surrey. She has just graduated from The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire; where she was awarded, ‘The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation’ Scholarship. Before studying in Birmingham, Ella trained at ‘The Guildford School of Acting’ on their acting foundation course. She spent a year training with The Lyric Hammersmith’s ‘Lyric Ensemble’, where they devised their own show ‘Abandon’. She is also a member of ‘The National Youth Theatre’. Ella worked with Saltire Sky Theatre’s on their shows, ‘1902’ and ‘The Candy Factory’ at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019 & 2021.
What does 1902 mean to you?
This play is everything I love about Theatre. It makes you laugh, cry, smile and think. It touches everyone who sees it. It is accessible to everyone, which Theatre needs to be. I have performed in this play for some years now, and have never gotten bored of it, and don't believe I ever could. It's a special piece of work that needs to be seen by more people behind its home in Leith.
Josh Brock - Frank "Frankie" Armstrong
Josh Brock is a 26 year old actor based in Edinburgh, and co founder of Saltire Sky Theatre. Graduating from Performing Arts Studio Scotland in 2015. Previous theatre credits include; A View From The Boundary, As If By Magic and 1902. Josh is greatly looking forward to touring 1902 and cannot wait to show people the talent that is behind all at Saltire Sky Theatre.
What does 1902 mean to you?
This is more than a show to me, this is the story of so many people, not just from Scotland, but from all over. To me, it’s important this show tours because for 80 minutes we can show people that theatre truly is for everyone.
Jonny Tulloch - Craig Turnbull
Jonny Tulloch is a Co-Founding member of Saltire Sky Theatre Company and is currently in his final year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Jonny has been with 1902 since its first debut in 2017 at the Edinburgh and has played multiple roles with the play.
What does 1902 mean to you?
1902 personally resonates with me as a play because of Nathan Scott-Dunn's writing, the dialogue in show sound like it could be easily overheard in any working mans boozer. The plays narrative also has you laughing one minute and screaming in terror the next, with genuine heart-felt, touching moments sprinkled throughout. The energy, pace and drama of the script has you gripped until its end.
Saltire Sky Theatre has always wanted to make immersive theatre for people who don't normally go to the theatre. We aim to bring stories that the everyman can relate to as well to give the punters one of the thrilling nights at the pub they've ever had.
Alexander Arran Cowan - Samuel "Sambo" Donaldson
Alexander Arran Cowan started acting at the age of eight with Borders Youth Theatre and Shakespeare at Traquair. Following his ambition to pursue a career in acting, he went on to train at Performing Arts Studio Scotland. He was then awarded the Donald Dewar Arts Fund for showing 'exceptional promise' and went on to study at the specialist actor training programme at the Newcastle Theatre Royal. He was was signed by Stiven Christie Management in 2010, and has featured in a BAFTA nominated short film, ITV's 'The Loch' and has most recently joined Saltire Sky Theatre's award winning production '1902'.
What does 1902 mean to you?
1902 puts you in the heart and soul of working class culture. Through its gritting comedy and hard-hitting realities, 1902 shows you, first hand, how football can bind communities together, even through its darkest days.
Kieran Lee-Hamilton - Thomas "Zippy" Collins
The third and final Glaswegian in our Company, Kieran Lee-Hamilton is a recent graduate from the BA Acting for Stage and Screen course at Edinburgh Napier and Queen Margaret Universities and is currently based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Along with honing and developing his skills as an actor through his education, Kieran has recently performed Samuel Bailey’s award winning play “Shook” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2021, the adaption being met with five star reviews and an OffFest award nomination for best theatre. Kieran could not be more thrilled to be joining Saltire Sky Theatre and the cast of 1902.
What does 1902 mean to you?
1902 is a play about unity. There is a lot of football related media out there, but no other captures the purity and passion of the sport like this show. The vibrancy and energy oozes from every pour of the play, demonstrating a masterclass in immersive theatre. Stories about football tend to lean on the violence and hatred it breeds, and while that is authentically present in 1902, the show is ultimately about the way football brings people together, and the companionship and love it can create. As someone from a working class background, I think that stories about working people, for working class people, could not be more important and powerful than they are today, and 1902 is the epitome of that message.
Sandy Bain - The Musician
Sandy graduated from Edinburgh Napier University’s Acting for Stage and Screen Course in 2018. He started playing Guitar from a young age after being inspired by his Father’s playing, although he wishes he was half as good! Sandy has been with 1902 since he was asked to play music for the show in 2017 they’ve been stuck with him ever since!
What does 1902 mean to you?
I've always believed that theatre should carry a strong message and resonate with people, whether it's comedy or tragedy. 1902 has a strong voice, message and identity from a under represented perspective, and I think it's important that as many people see it as they can.
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