A Play for Torry had a sold-out premiere at Nigg Bay Golf Club on 1st February 2026, with a preview at Aberdeen Arts Centre on 31 January, as residents stand up to local Council decisions on Torry’s future.
Developed in collaboration with the local community, blending an original score with verbatim storytelling.
Developed in collaboration with the local community, blending an original score with verbatim storytelling.
|
From fish to oil to wind, A Play for Torry is a bold, community-led theatre event co-created with residents, artists and campaigners in Torry, Aberdeen. Developed under the direction of Emer Morris and Annabel Lunney, it’s built from real voices and lived experiences of people who have suffered from the rise and decline of industry, while fighting for land, health and home.
“We have to win, for everybody… this isn’t just about us.” Funny, moving and defiant, A Play for Torry fuses verbatim storytelling with original music by Simon Gall and Coralie Usmani to create a rich, multi-sensory night out — part ceilidh, part protest, part love-letter to a community that refuses to be quiet. It asks urgent questions: Who is the “Just Transition” really for? What does it cost when decisions about climate and land are made without the people who live there? Rooted in Torry, the show resonates far beyond Aberdeen, echoing the stories of coastal and industrial communities across Scotland. With live music, ensemble performance and special appearances from local guest artists, A Play for Torry invites audiences to celebrate, reflect, and to ask together: how do we want to do things? Co-written by Mae Diansangu, Shane Strachan and Emer Morris, A Play for Torry is funny, fierce and full of hope - a celebration of resilience, collective strength and the drive to imagine something better. A Play for Torry is presented in partnership with Friends of the Earth Scotland, Aberdeen Arts Centre and funded by Creative Scotland’s Open Fund. |
Cast
Carol Anderson Tiana Milne-Wilson Joyce Falconer Lisa Livingstone Ros Watt Rebecca Wilkie Community Cast Ian Stuart Baird Hannah Chowdhry Shanu Gupta Lynne Restrup Creative team Director Emer Mary Morris Associate Director Annabel Lunney Co-writers Mae Diansangu, Shane Strachan and Emer Morris Dramaturg Jenna Watt Musical Director Coralie Usmani Choral Arrangement Irene Watt Fiddle player Sarah Beattie Costume + Props Emily Roberston Production team Technician Nathanial Campbell-Scott-Howells Lighting Design Simon Gane Set builder Alan Webster Executive Produccer Scott Herrett (Friends of the Earth Scotland) Producer Joanne Matthews Press Mim Black Field recordings Maja Zećo & the ‘Living with energy transition project Tracks ‘Opening’ and ‘Torry in the Future’ by young musicians at Big Noise Torry and composed with Jackill and Ben Vardi Press enquiries
Mim Black at [email protected] or on +44 7507 8888 37 All other enquiries [email protected] |
Project Partners
Friends of the Earth Scotland
Aberdeen Art Centre
Creative Scotland
With thanks to our Community Partners
(In no particular order)
The Friends of St Fittick’s Park
Big Noise Torry
Nigg Bay Golf Club
Old Torry Community Centre
Torry RAAC Campaign
Scottish Sculpture Workshop
North East Scotland Climate Action Network
Aberdeen Arts Centre
Station House Media Unit (SHMU)
Greyhope Community Hub
Torry Memories & Heritage Society
The Bridge Centre
The White Cockade
Torry Heritage Group
Aberdeen Ethnic Minorities Women's Group
Torry Peoples’ Assembly
Granite City Fish
Touch of Love
Tullos Community Wildlife Garden
Peacock and Worm
And by no means least, we would like to thank everyone (there are too many to name individually) who sat down with us to share their expertise, stories and love of Torry.
Friends of the Earth Scotland
Aberdeen Art Centre
Creative Scotland
With thanks to our Community Partners
(In no particular order)
The Friends of St Fittick’s Park
Big Noise Torry
Nigg Bay Golf Club
Old Torry Community Centre
Torry RAAC Campaign
Scottish Sculpture Workshop
North East Scotland Climate Action Network
Aberdeen Arts Centre
Station House Media Unit (SHMU)
Greyhope Community Hub
Torry Memories & Heritage Society
The Bridge Centre
The White Cockade
Torry Heritage Group
Aberdeen Ethnic Minorities Women's Group
Torry Peoples’ Assembly
Granite City Fish
Touch of Love
Tullos Community Wildlife Garden
Peacock and Worm
And by no means least, we would like to thank everyone (there are too many to name individually) who sat down with us to share their expertise, stories and love of Torry.