THEY SAY THE PERSON YOU ARE AT EIGHTEEN DEFINES WHO YOU ARE GOING TO BECOME...
A dynamic piece of Physical Verbatim Theatre, that explores how the impact of childhood experiences shape men’s adult lives. Blending humour and storytelling with powerful elements of physical theatre, this production is an uncompromising insight into what takes us to breaking point.
Written by Mariem Omari | Directed by Mark Jeary-Fairbairn
Part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival
One Mississippi is based on a collection of interviews undertaken with men across Scotland including, a Scottish Pakistani Muslim, an Indian Sikh, a Northern Irishman living in Glasgow, and a recovering addict from East Glasgow. Through their stories the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on men is revealed, no matter their ethnicity or faith – ultimately becoming a collective story of their lived reality.
In association with Platform. Supported by Creative Scotland.
PREVIOUS PRESS
PHOTOS - 2022
Photographer: Mihaela Bodlovic
2022 Post-show comments from the audience
“This is the best show I have seen at An Lanntair since I moved here six years ago. When I first saw it advertised as a physical verbatim play about men’s mental health, I thought ‘Ha! How are they going to do that?’. But I was the first one on my feet applauding. The play was stunning…. truly exceptional. It deserves a standing ovation after every performance.” Colin, Stornoway
“One Mississippi blew me away. I didn’t know what to expect… if it would be funny or sad, but it was all those things and so much more. It was dark in places, but also I kept laughing out loud and thinking, ‘Is it ok to laugh?’ It was really funny!” Jen, Kirriemuir
“I just wanted to say that I saw One Mississippi this week and I am absolutely brimming with praise! Both me and my colleague completely loved it. It was deeply moving and also very hopeful. Many many more people need to see this show.” Clare Jennings, Project Officer, See Me
PHOTOS - 2017
Photographer: Mihaela Bodlovic
2017 Post-show comments from the audience
"Interesting that it took a woman to perfectly describe the toxic masculinity of our society. I’ve been through this…it’s my life…" Dan, Edinburgh
"I felt like this was about me. Even my mother has the same name as one of the characters mother’s! I can’t fault the storytelling…it says everything that needs to be said about men and trauma…" Pete, Glasgow
"It is one of the best shows I have seen in years…I cried and laughed and thought about my kids and how much we are responsible for…" Cathy, Glasgow
2022 Cast Adam Buksh, Nick Danan, Scott Kyle, Manjot Sumal
Written by Mariem Omari
Directed by Mark Jeary-Fairbairn
Produced by Callum Madge
Production & Stage Management by Alma Lindenhovius
Movement Direction by Skye Reynolds
Lighting Design by Grant Anderson
Running time: 75 minutes (no interval) | Age restriction: 14+
WRITER MARIEM SAID:
“Currently in Britain, reports on the suicide rate among British men indicate that it is at its highest level for more than a decade, and parts of Scotland have the highest levels in the country. In conjunction with this, new research suggests that childhood trauma is one of the leading causes of substance abuse and depression later in life…Over the course of six months, the interviews I did for One Mississippi reinforced those findings.”
DEVELOPMENT PHOTOS
WRITER MARIEM SAID:
“There are very few, if any, pieces of verbatim theatre on the issue of men and childhood trauma, and none that look at it from a Scottish context. One Mississippi addresses this gap. The performance is very dynamic and combines physical theatre with storytelling, again adding to our signature Physical Verbatim Theatre approach”