''I Am Thomas: A Brutal Comedy with Songs'' is a

play Play most commonly refers to: * Play (activity), an activity done for enjoyment * Play (theatre), a work of drama Play may refer also to: Computers and technology * Google Play, a digital content service * Play Framework, a Java framework * P ...

based around the death of Thomas Aikenhead, the last person to be hanged for

blasphemy Blasphemy refers to an insult that shows contempt, disrespect or lack of Reverence (emotion), reverence concerning a deity, an object considered sacred, or something considered Sanctity of life, inviolable. Some religions, especially Abrahamic o ...

Britain Britain most often refers to: * Great Britain, a large island comprising the countries of England, Scotland and Wales * The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a sovereign state in Europe comprising Great Britain and the north-eas ...

. The play received its world premiere at the

Liverpool Playhouse The Liverpool Playhouse is a theatre in Williamson Square in the city of Liverpool, England. It originated in 1866 as a music hall, and in 1911 developed into a repertory theatre. As such it nurtured the early careers of many actors and actre ...

, in February 2016, before embarking on a short UK tour. It is a co-production between Told by an Idiot, the National Theatre of Scotland and the

Royal Lyceum Theatre The Royal Lyceum Theatre is a 658-seat theatre in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, named after the Theatre Royal Lyceum and English Opera House, the residence at the time of legendary Shakespearean actor Henry Irving. It was built in 1883 by a ...

Production history

''I Am Thomas: A Brutal Comedy with Songs'' is a devised theatre play created by Told by an Idiot, based on the real-life story of Thomas Aikenhead, a student from

Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. The city is located in southeast Scotland and is bounded to the north by the Firth of Forth and to the south by the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh ...

who was prosecuted and executed at the age of 20 on a charge of

. He was executed at Gallow Lee in

in 1697 and was the last person in

to be executed for blasphemy. Told through the medium of song, the play is set in Edinburgh between 1696 and present day. On 14 April 2015, it was announced by The

, that the play would form part of the 50th anniversary season of the Royal Lyceum Theatre company. It is a co-production between Told by an Idiot, the National Theatre of Scotland and the

. ''I Am Thomas'' received its world premiere at the

on 24 February 2016, following previews from 19 February, for a limited run until 27 February. The play is directed by Paul Hunter, artistic director of Told by an Idiot, with design by Laura Hopkins, lighting design by Paul Anderson, music by Iain Johnstone, lyrics by Simon Armitage and sound by Adrienne Quartly. Following its premiere production the play embarked on a short UK tour in March and April 2016, visiting

The Lowry Lowry is a theatre and gallery complex at Salford Quays, Salford, Greater Manchester, England. It is named after the early 20th-century painter L. S. Lowry, known for his paintings of industrial scenes in North West England. The complex opened ...

Salford Salford ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city in Greater Manchester, England, on the western bank of the River Irwell which forms its boundary with Manchester city centre. Landmarks include the former Salford Town Hall, town hall, ...

, Salisbury Playhouse,

Salisbury Salisbury ( , ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and civil parish in Wiltshire, England with a population of 41,820, at the confluence of the rivers River Avon, Hampshire, Avon, River Nadder, Nadder and River Bourne, Wi ...

, Eden Court Theatre,

Inverness Inverness (; ; from the , meaning "Mouth of the River Ness") is a city in the Scottish Highlands, having been granted city status in 2000. It is the administrative centre for The Highland Council and is regarded as the capital of the Highland ...

, and Wilton's Music Hall, London. The play features an ensemble cast of eight who take it in turn to play the title role. The cast includes John Cobb, Charlie Folorunsho, Amanda Hadingue, Myra McFadyen, Hannah McPake, John Pfumojena, Dominic Marsh and Iain Johnstone who wrote the plays score. A typical performance runs two hours, including one interval of 20 mins.

Critical reception

The play has received mixed to positive reviews from critics.

References

{{Reflist, colwidth=30em 2016 plays Plays based on actual events Plays set in Scotland