31 July - 25 August
Words by Brigitte Aphrodite
Music by Quiet Boy
Directed by Laura Keefe
BOUNDLESS THEATRE AND BOOM SHAKALAKA PRODUCTIONS PRESENT
PARAKEET
‘In my wildest dreams I’d love to become a proper messed up smoking hot f****d up Cinderella – Snow White type character with this gang of kind but foul mouthed glamorous parakeets behind me. Together we would make the world a better place. Now that is a Disney film I’d like to watch.’
In Margate an isolated teenager forms a band and finds her voice with the help of a gang of exotic birds. Dust is an energetic and woke teenager from Thanet and Tam an Eritrean refugee facing many uncertainties take Girl under their wings. Together they are The Parakeets.
When the town’s mayor announces he will cut down the tree, which is home to the green birds of Thanet, the girls start a protest. They come together and find empowerment through music, unapologetically speaking up about this messed up world’s problems, one song at a time.They will not be silenced and the Parakeets will stay.
Parakeet is a genre-crossing status quo defying musical about finding your flock and ruffling feathers, a feast for the ears, eyes and heart told through irresistible song, punk poetry, electronic sounds and cutting edge fashion.In a world full of uncertainties, only one thing is for sure: it’s time to discover the new spirit of punk, a gentler punk –punk with empathy.
Empathy is the new punk.
Brigitte Aphrodite and Quiet Boy renew their collaboration with director Laura Keefe following My Beautiful Black Dog, which toured the UK following a sold-out run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2015.
@boundlessabound
#ParakeetLive
Parakeet is generously supported by TRAID, Fender Guitars and Katherine Hamnett.
Venue
Paines Plough Roundabout @ Summerhall
1 Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL – Venue 26
31 July – 25 August
Performances:
31 July, 2 August (Previews)
4 August (Opening Performance)
No Performances on Tuesday
Start Time: 17:05
Price
£9 Previews
£12, £14 Weekdays
£13, £15 Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Age Guidance
14+
Edinburgh, UK. 28.07.2019. Boundless Theatre and Boom Shakalaka present "Parakeet", written by Brigitte Aphrodite, in the Paines Plough Roundabout, Summerhall, as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The performers are: Michelle Tiwo (GIRL), Isabel Oliver (DUST), Lula Mebrahtu (TAM), Brigitte Aphrodite (PARAKEET #1) and Quiet Boy (PARAKEET #2). Directed by Laura Keefe, with design by Alex Noble and lighting design by Sherry Coenen. Photograph © Jane Hobson.
Edinburgh, UK. 28.07.2019. Boundless Theatre and Boom Shakalaka present "Parakeet", written by Brigitte Aphrodite, in the Paines Plough Roundabout, Summerhall, as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The performers are: Michelle Tiwo (GIRL), Isabel Oliver (DUST), Lula Mebrahtu (TAM), Brigitte Aphrodite (PARAKEET #1) and Quiet Boy (PARAKEET #2). Directed by Laura Keefe, with design by Alex Noble and lighting design by Sherry Coenen. Photograph © Jane Hobson.
Edinburgh, UK. 28.07.2019. Boundless Theatre and Boom Shakalaka present "Parakeet", written by Brigitte Aphrodite, in the Paines Plough Roundabout, Summerhall, as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The performers are: Michelle Tiwo (GIRL), Isabel Oliver (DUST), Lula Mebrahtu (TAM), Brigitte Aphrodite (PARAKEET #1) and Quiet Boy (PARAKEET #2). Directed by Laura Keefe, with design by Alex Noble and lighting design by Sherry Coenen. Photograph © Jane Hobson.
Edinburgh, UK. 28.07.2019. Boundless Theatre and Boom Shakalaka present "Parakeet", written by Brigitte Aphrodite, in the Paines Plough Roundabout, Summerhall, as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The performers are: Michelle Tiwo (GIRL), Isabel Oliver (DUST), Lula Mebrahtu (TAM), Brigitte Aphrodite (PARAKEET #1) and Quiet Boy (PARAKEET #2). Directed by Laura Keefe, with design by Alex Noble and lighting design by Sherry Coenen. Photograph © Jane Hobson.
Brigitte Aphrodite Writer and Performer
Brigitte Aphrodite is a punk, feminist showgirl, and poetical music performance artist who has a loyal following due to her approach to multidisciplinary art and social expression. In her former years she has toured her music with the likes of Kate Nash and Josie Long. Bri is most recently known for her critically acclaimed show – ‘My Beautiful Black Dog’ – a part gig, part theatre, modern day, punk musical exploring depression. The show sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe circuit, was featured on the BBC 10 O’clock News and in the Guardian and Elle magazine. Gathering momentum in 2015/16 the show went on to tour the UK and sell out dates at the Southbank Centre. Wellcome Trust funding was awarded to the ‘MBBD movement’ and a workshop, based on the show, its narrative and the language we use around mental health was developed and delivered in schools around the country.
Quiet Boy Composer & Performer
Singer songwriter Quiet Boy, signed to Universal records in 2005 and has appeared at most major UK festivals including Radio 1 stage at Leeds and Reading. Touring extensively, and has appeared with Prodigy, Echo and the Bunnymen, System Of A Down. Full tours with Kasabian, Fratellis, Mick Jones (Clash), Carl Barat (The Libertines). Many appearances on TV and Radio. Quiet Boy has recorded an album with legendary Producer Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths, Kaiser Chiefs). Recently commissioned as Composer and Musical Director for critically acclaimed gig theatre ‘My Beautiful Black Dog’ and further work in development and composing on projects with Bush Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre, The National Theatre and most recently The Vaults Festival with a new piece by Katie Bonna.
Lula Mebrahtu Performer
Lula Mebrahtu is an Eritrean-born actress, DJ and presenter. She performs regularly as lula.xyz at festivals and events worldwide. As a presenter, she regularly fronts shows for the BBC and hosts jazz festivals. Her acting credits include Concrete Jungle, The Lucumi Choir and Death of a Pebble Dancing (Edinburgh Festival Fringe).
Isabel Oliver Performer
Isabel Oliver is an actor, singer, songwriter and musician. Her acting credits include Titus Andronicus (Teatro Dei Borgia, Italy). She also performs as a singer musician in a variety of venues and at festivals, including regularly at Spinning Yarns Theatre.
Michelle Tiwo Performer
Michelle Tiwo is an actor, poet, poet educator and founder of Sistren podcast. Their acting credits for theatre include And the Rest of Me Floats (Bush Theatre). For television, Ackee & Saltfish; and for film, Faces.
Brigitte Aphrodite is a punk, feminist showgirl, and poetical music performance artist who has a loyal following due to her approach to multidisciplinary art and social expression. In her former years she has toured her music with the likes of Kate Nash and Josie Long. Bri is most recently known for her critically acclaimed show – ‘My Beautiful Black Dog’ – a part gig, part theatre, modern day, punk musical exploring depression. The show sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe circuit, was featured on the BBC 10 O’clock News and in the Guardian and Elle magazine. Gathering momentum in 2015/16 the show went on to tour the UK and sell out dates at the Southbank Centre. Wellcome Trust funding was awarded to the ‘MBBD movement’ and a workshop, based on the show, its narrative and the language we use around mental health was developed and delivered in schools around the country.
Singer songwriter Quiet Boy, signed to Universal records in 2005 and has appeared at most major UK festivals including Radio 1 stage at Leeds and Reading. Touring extensively, and has appeared with Prodigy, Echo and the Bunnymen, System Of A Down. Full tours with Kasabian, Fratellis, Mick Jones (Clash), Carl Barat (The Libertines). Many appearances on TV and Radio. Quiet Boy has recorded an album with legendary Producer Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths, Kaiser Chiefs). Recently commissioned as Composer and Musical Director for critically acclaimed gig theatre ‘My Beautiful Black Dog’ and further work in development and composing on projects with Bush Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre, The National Theatre and most recently The Vaults Festival with a new piece by Katie Bonna.
As Director: My Beautiful Black Dog (Bush Theatre/Roundhouse/Southbank Centre); One Million Tiny Plays About Britain (Watermill Theatre); Turning a Little Further, The Lost (Young Vic); Used Blood Junkyard (Arcola Theatre); I Know Where the Dead are Buried (24/7 Theatre Festival) and Guilt and Shame (Edinburgh/Latitude/Bestival/Soho Theatre). As Associate Director: Mad About the Boy (Iron Shoes/Tour) and Is Everyone OK? (Nabokov/Tour). As Assistant Director Romantics Anonymous, The Two Gentlemen of Verona & Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare’s Globe); As You Like It (National Theatre); Feast (Young Vic); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park); Salt, Root and Roe (Donmar Warehouse/Trafalgar Studio); The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Royal & Derngate, Northampton); Fen (Finborough/National Theatre Studio); Dr Faustus (Watford Palace); Roaring Trade (Paines Plough/Soho Theatre) and How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found (Southwark Playhouse).
BIO XXX
@alexnoblezine
Harry is a freelance Sound Designer and Composer who trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Designs include: God of Carnage (Bath Theatre Royal), Romeo and Juliet and Richard III (York Rose Theatre), Br’er Cotton (Theatre 503), The Secret Keeper (Oval House), Jekyll & Hyde (Ambassadors Theatre), Babette’s Feast (Print Room Coronet) and The Gathered Leaves (Park200)
As Associate: Orlando (Schaubühne, Berlin), Norma Jeane Baker of Troy (The Shed, New York), Home I’m Darling (Duke of York), Nine Night (Trafalgar Studios), Maladie de la Mort (Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, Paris), TOUCH (Soho Theatre), City of Glass (HOME/ Lyric), Oil (Almeida Theatre).
It’s #RefugeeWeek2019 and with this post we want to shine a spotlight on one of the storylines in Parakeet as well as introduce you to the wonderful Lula Mebrahtu, who plays…
Read more
Here at Boundless we are so proud to be investing in new, young talent and Isabel Oliver is one of them. Isabel is 18 years old and fresh out of…
Read more
A film by Boundless Theatre and Boom Shakalaka Productions Art direction and edit by Alex Noble
Read more