Scenes for Survival

An extract from the play Fibres by Frances Poet, performed by Jonathan Watson. Centred on the generations of men knowingly exposed to deadly asbestos over years spent working in the Glasgow shipyards, and the tragic impact it left on them and their loved ones, Fibres is a bittersweet comedy infused with Glaswegian resilience and wit.

A new short piece from esteemed novelist Jenni Fagan, performed by Kate Dickie. Trapped in self-imposed solitude in her bedroom and cut-off from those she loves the most, a lonely woman struggles to come through the hellish, isolating odyssey of her illness.

An exclusive new Rebus short from Ian Rankin, starring Brian Cox as the irascible detective inspector. Weeks into lockdown and imprisoned at home, his only distant link to the outside world coming through infrequent visits from his long-standing colleague Siobhan, an ageing Inspector Rebus reflects on his bizarre solitary confinement.

When the lockdown comes into force a teenage girl in North East Scotland finds herself torn between which of her separated parents she wants to isolate with. She seeks solace in the nearby woods, a place where she can escape from the worries of her day-to-day life. A new short piece from Elgin-born writer Morna Pearson, performed by Ashleigh More.

A new short from leading Scottish comedienne Janey Godley. Trapped at home with no company save for an adorable dog and a stubborn husband who just won’t be told what to do, a middle-aged woman offers a sobering and darkly funny glimpse into her lockdown experience. (Part II is at episode 35.)

Moyo Akande stars in this new short piece from playwright Stef Smith. During her solitude, a young woman offers a tender poetic lament to an absent loved one, and takes comfort in imagining a time when they can finally be together again.

The Skeleton Wumman rests at the bottom of the cold sea, withering away in the passing tides and dreaming of life above the waves, in this vivid and poetically eerie Scots-language fable. A newly performed extract from the play Skeleton Wumman, written and directed by Gerda Stevenson and performed by original star Amy Conachan.

Peter Mullan stars in a surreal and hilarious new short from writer Douglas Maxwell. After switching the food in his back-garden bird feeder, an idyllic lockdown experience is threatened after the birds make it clear they’re none too happy with the change. A showdown ensues, and as the fight escalates beyond his control the lines between man and beast begin to blur.

Following a traumatic experience, a young woman is rescued by her boyfriend and wakes up on a crowded hospital ward. There she finds much-needed comfort from an unexpected and welcome source of humanity. Kristi MacDonald stars in a new short piece from writer Uma Nada Rajah, who is herself working as a staff nurse for NHS Scotland during the current crisis.

Cupid may have lived with the divine gift of ecstatic love, but it is also what’s killing him; turning his body into solid gold as he breathes his last and tries to make peace with the world from a lonely, stifling bed. A newly-performed extract from Venus as a Boy, first adapted for the stage by Dean Burn and Sutherland in 2007, premiering at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before a UK tour.

Trapped in fear of his life and desperate to escape the criminal connections of his girlfriend’s family, Scott reaches out to Laura, childhood sweetheart and former fiancé, for help. But old wounds begin to reopen as they both weigh up their options. James McArdle and Dani Heron appear in this frantic and twisting new short drama from writer Rona Munro.

Sitting at home, a woman reminisces about the party where she met her soulmate, from the heart-racing bliss of a first conversation to fearing that a perfect moment has been spoiled by saying just the wrong thing. Lorraine McIntosh performs in a new short from writer & director David Greig, an elegant, lyrical celebration of the first moments of young love.

Patrick Martins & Emma King perform an extract from the new play by May Sumbwanyambe, directed by Justin Audibert. Based on a true story, Enough of Him explores the life of Joseph Knight, an African man brought to Scotland as a slave by plantation owner John Wedderburn to serve in his Perthshire mansion. Produced in association with Pitlochry Festival Theatre, where Enough of Him had been due to premiere in October 2020.

Nuala hasn’t got a lot on now Marie is gone. Never one to dwell, instead she’s taken to watching her neighbours across the road do that thing they insist on doing at their window. And as the days and weeks roll on, she becomes sure that joy is on its way for everyone. Maureen Beattie features in this heart-breaking new short from writer Michael John O’Neill, directed by Dominic Hill.

A global lockdown might feel like the perfect time to write a piece of reflective drama, but for one bickering couple the creative process leads to nothing but disagreement. Directed by Finn den Hertog, Douglas Henshall & Morven Christie feature in this inventive new short from writer Tena Štivičić, a witty and hilarious take on relationship frustrations and lockdown creativity.

Bedevilled by writer’s block, an unsupportive partner and a bad case of the heebie jeebies thanks to the neighbour from hell, Julie Wilson Nimmo stars as a would-be children’s author seeking inspiration from an unlikely source. Written and directed by Greg Hemphill, this creepy new comedy short is a pure scream.

Gazing from a window upon the polished propriety of genteel Victorian Edinburgh society, a young woman takes delight in imagining the pent-up carnal desire bubbling beneath the surface of the city’s straitlaced exterior. Molly Vevers stars in this playful musing on locked down lust in ‘the most erotic city in the world.’ Directed by Stasi Schaeffer and produced in association with the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Dreaming of Edinburgh is an extract from Peter Arnott’s play The Breathing House.

Following a breach of the nation’s lockdown rules, one of the government’s most senior scientific advisers is forced to practice for his groveling public apology in a fictitious new short sharp mini drama.. As he struggles to justify his actions, he slowly comes to terms with what he has done, and the horrifying scale of his mistake becomes clear. Featuring Mark Bonnar, written by Rob Drummond, and directed by Jack Nurse.

Following a disastrous natural event, the residents of an isolated island community in the middle of the Atlantic are left picking up the pieces and lamenting a way of life that has been lost. A newly staged extract from Zinnie Harris’s first full-length play Furthest Than the Furthest Thing, performed by Kathryn Howden and Gilly Gilchrist. First staged at the Traverse Theatre in 2000, the play was most recently seen by Scottish audiences in an award-winning 2012 production at Dundee Rep.

In an extract from Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting, Brian Duffy appears as Spud, trying to stop Renton and Sick Boy from torturing a squirrel with an image problem similar to theirs.

When a loyal employee is betrayed by the company she’s given twenty years of her life to, it’s the latest in a lifetime of injustices. Struggling to contain her anger, long-suppressed impulses boil to the surface as she plots a suitable revenge. Tracy Wiles stars in an incendiary new short piece written by Apphia Campbell and directed by Natalie Ibu.

Isolating in their separate homes during lockdown and coming to terms with a recent bereavement, a mother and daughter reflect on happier times while contemplating an uncertain future for their family. The online video call to plan the playlist for a virtual disco becomes a cathartic exploration of grief, defiance and hope, and a celebration of the healing power of music. Julie Graham and Saskia Ashdown star in this lyrical and inspiring new piece from writer Hannah Lavery, directed by Julie Ellen.

A rookie fast food bike courier races the clock as he navigates the streets of post-Covid Glasgow. Pondering his new status as a Key Worker - and dreaming of something even bigger - he plots his way across a daunting new landscape, featuring abusive customers, oblivious pedestrians and a ‘creepy wee manager who lives in his pocket.’ Jatinder Singh Randhawa stars in this cutting new piece, written by Kevin P. Gilday and directed by Graham Eatough.

Ash and Charlie are two regular, same-sex flatmates. Stuck indoors during lockdown, they eat together, laugh together, and watch shows together. But one night over dinner, stuck in a routine that they’re both a little too comfortable with, something happens that might just turn their friendship on its head. Martin Donaghy and Oliver Bennett feature in a witty new short from playwright Meghan Tyler, directed by Leonie Rae Gasson.

Sick of being scorned, young Aleister Crowley wants the world to know his name, even if he must summon the forces of Hell to do so. From his remote Highland mansion he begins to cast a mighty spell… Unfortunately, black magic takes a while, and things aren’t going as well as he’d hoped: he’s bored, lonely, and nothing really seems to be happening. Maybe it’s all just a big waste of time? Gordon Houston features in a wickedly funny new short from writer Denise Mina, directed by Amy Liptrott

During lockdown, a kind-hearted postie achieves local celebrity status and a new nickname, entertaining locals on her round with a selection of colourful costumes. But her newfound fame is a double-edged sword and she must wrestle with her conscience to decide if the community’s smiles and selfies outweigh the sneers and sniping of snidey colleagues. Nicola Moore Williams stars in this cheering new short from writer Ian Low, directed by Fiona MacKinnon.

A young man recalls escaping the horrors of civil war in Congo as a child, to seek asylum in Glasgow with his mother. He finds surprising parallels between the barbarity and exploitation at the heart of that conflict and the shocking revelations of murder and profiteering painted away beneath the surface of his new homeland’s history. Thierry Mabonga stars in this extract from First Snow / Première neige by Philippe Ducros, Linda McLean and Davey Anderson, and directed by Niloo-Far Khan.

When you live in the city every park is a haven, especially if you’ve got wee kids to keep busy. But when everything locks down, and suddenly everyone has to keep their distance, how do you explain that they can’t play like they used to anymore? Martin McCormick features in a heart-warming short from writer Andy McGregor, directed by Ben Harrison, that celebrates the importance of appreciating the small things in life, even in the hardest moments.

After the end of the world, who expected wee Davey fae Tynecastle to be the last man standing? He certainly didn’t. But now he’s got the run of the place, and naeb'dy to kick about with. The space is nice, but he’s starting to miss the wee pleasures of normal life. And the loneliness might be getting to him. Greg McHugh writes, directs, and features in this darkly-comic and timely post-apocalyptic short.

Lockdown is hitting hard, and Scotland’s National Theatre is desperate for submissions for its inspiring new project. Could the stage be set for the Kirktoon Players, the country’s “leading” amateur dramatics group, to step into the spotlight? Time to get their heads together and show these uppity professionals how it’s done. Richard Conlon and Gail Watson co-write and star alongside Natalie MacDonald in a lively follow-up to the smash hit satire My Left/ Right Foot: The Musical from writer/director Robert Softley Gale. Produced in association with Birds of Paradise.

What do you remember most about growing up? Chances are it might be the summers, with so much time to play they felt like they might go on forever. And it looks like this one might be the longest yet… The Longest Summer sees Richard Rankin star in a lyrical, life-affirming musical journey through childhood and hardship, celebrating the beautiful things that the world has to offer.

When times are tough and you’re needing cheering up, there’s no beating a big bowl of warm, lentil soup. It’s a wee taste of home that’ll see ye through yer grief, even if ye cannae quite get the recipe right, the same as the way they used to make it… Annie Louise Ross features in this heart-warming short from writer Stewart Ennis, directed by Nic Green & Peter McMaster.

Lockdown has been a lonely business, but luckily Becky from Radio Skotia is on the air to keep us company every step of the way. She’s always there to raise our spirits with a shout-out or share the perfect tune to cheer us up. But perhaps it’s time someone asked her how she’s doing? Elaine C. Smith stars as an upbeat radio DJ with a big heart in this new short from writer Val McDermid, directed by Maggie Kinloch.

In the late afternoon light, a father sends video messages as he struggles to find his way through the woods on the way to pick up his daughter. But remember, she’s not to tell her other dad he’s coming.... it’s to be their little secret. Equal parts hilarious and sinister, Alan Cumming stars in the first of a bewitching new three-part short from writer Johnny McKnight, directed by Andrew Panton. Produced in association with Dundee Rep.

Freed from life under her controlling husband Jim, lonely mother Betty is finally free to reach out to Stephen, her estranged son now living as a young artist in London. There’s so much to catch up on, and it’s high time they started planning for their futures. Janey Godley teams up with Jack Lowden and director Caitlin Skinner for a heart-warming and uplifting follow-up to her original Scenes for Survival short Alone (episode 5).

Stuck shearing sheep on an isolated island, surrounded by the ocean with nothing to enjoy but the bad weather and the company of his childhood friend, a man laments his situation in messages back to his wife on the mainland. But soon unpleasant secrets begin to come to the surface, and their friendship might not last the storm. Daibhidh Walker features in a haunting Gaelic-language short from writer Iain Macrae, directed by Liz Caruthers. Produced in association with Theatre Gu Leòr.

As day turns to night, and he continues to struggle through the woods, a father keeps messaging his young daughter as he makes his way to her. But someone might have figured out why he’s really coming, and he absolutely can’t have that... Equal parts hilarious and sinister, Alan Cumming stars in the second of a bewitching new three-part short from writer Johnny McKnight, directed by Andrew Panton. Produced in association with Dundee Rep Theatre.

An ageing mother casts her mind back through the years, remembering the fun and games of her daughter’s childhood and marvelling at how quickly the innocence seemed to be lost. In time these memories may fade, but for now they’re as vivid and beautiful as ever. Isabella Jarrett & Cora Bissett feature in a heartfelt meditation on the passing of time from writer Janice Galloway, directed by Morag McKinnon.

The world faces a catastrophe of biblical proportions, but all Noah seems to do is fiddle with his boat. Is it part of his grand vision or has he just lost the plot? Frustrated at being kept out of the loop, his wife and daughter watch the rain come down and try to decide whether to stand by him or take a chance on looking after themselves. Liz & Jasmin Ewing star in a new short from Andy Edwards, directed by Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir. Produced in association with the Tron theatre.

Night falls, and after finally making it to the house in the woods a father tries to get his daughter out as quietly as possible, careful not to wake her other dad. But his plans begin to fall apart after he makes a shocking discovery: Someone's been sleeping in his bed, and now he might have to blow the house down... Alan Cumming stars in the sinister conclusion to Johnny McKnight’s darkly-comic three-part short, directed by Andrew Panton. Produced in association with Dundee Rep Theatre.

Life is full of tricky choices- whether to buy that new sofa, what to do for Hogmanay, how to keep your partner happy- and sometimes everyone wishes they could phone up their future self to check that they’re making the right ones. But after setting up the call one woman finds that it’s less reassuring than she’d hoped. Neshla Caplan stars in a witty, metaphysical new short from writer Nicola McCartney, directed by Eve Nicol. Produced in association with Cumbernauld Theatre.

A month after the death of her big brother, Laura’s parents buy her a pet tiger. They never explain the tiger and won't discuss her brother. Not ever. Now that she’s having to learn to live with a dangerous animal every step becomes a tiptoe, every word becomes a whisper, and things are starting to spiral out of control. An extract from the forthcoming play I Am Tiger from writer Olly Emanuel, directed by Lu Kemp and starring Ava Hickey. Produced in association with Imaginate.

After matching with each other on a virtual speed-dating app, two young people turn on their cameras and try to get to know each other. But with differing priorities and only a few minutes together, it might be more than just social distancing that’ll keep them apart. David Rankine and Kirsty Findlay star in a light-hearted look at finding love from writer Corinne Salisbury, directed by Heather Fulton. Produced in association with Lyth Arts Centre.

Leaving her house for the first time during the early days of lockdown, a lonely woman reminisces over her lost love and wonders at the million different ways that life around her has been disrupted. A heartfelt short drama starring Nicole Cooper from writer Kathy McKean, directed by Nick Bone. Produced in association with Magnetic North.

In-between hosting international guests, an isolated B&B landlord finds his routine disrupted by a mysterious ghostly presence. As the haunting grows more violent and he struggles to maintain his sanity, he begins to question whether what he’s seeing is real after all. Gerry Mulgrew stars in a chilling supernatural tale from writer Lynda Radley, directed by Andy Arnold. Produced in association with the Tron Theatre.

Driven from home by their community and abandoned on a lonely island, a young non-binary person races to set out their story while violence closes in around them. A powerful fable from writer Nelly Kelly, featuring Afton Moran and Jo Clifford and directed by Nazli Tabatabai-Khatambakhsh. Produced in association with Queen Jesus Productions.

Alexis has never had an easy time opening up about mental health. How could you, when every conversation needs an interpreter and nobody seems to take your problems seriously? Luckily, they might have found the perfect person to talk to. Now if they can just stop the video call from playing up... Performing in BSL, Brooklyn Melvyn features in an entertaining short from writer Bea Webster, directed by Emily Ingram.

Eager to keep up with her fitness-freak mum, Fran has to get on with her training. The only problem is she’s stuck inside, and doing laps round her kitchen isn’t going to cut it. But with the power of imagination, and a little virtual motivation from her long-suffering coach Nick, she can escape the mundanity of her surroundings. Victoria Balnaves and John Scougall feature in a breathless new short from writer Àine King, directed by Sarah McCardie.

Lockdown left you looking and feeling like you just crawled out of a bog? Confidence shot to pieces? You need a life coach like Fahad. Five minutes with him and you'll be fitter, flasher, and ready to get yourself back on track. But confidence is only skin-deep, and Fahad may be struggling more than he lets on. Taqi Nazeer stars as a young man trying and failing to pull himself together in a touching short from writer Catherine Grosvenor, directed by Shilpa T-Hyland.

Young Danni isn’t like the other girls in town. She’d rather be watching drag races down at the airport or tearing about behind the wheel of her brother’s car, Lynyrd Skynyrd tunes blasting on the stereo. Bored of her life on the island and stifled by her passive-aggressive parents, she dreams of hitting the road and showing everyone what she can do. A powerful short from writer Iain Finlay Macleod, starring Francesca Taylor Coleman and directed by Laura Cameron-Lewis.

Driven to breaking point by his agonising tooth pain, young Hammy is at a loss. The dentists are all shut, he’s drank everything in the house, and none of the old folk cures work. Now he’s seeing things that aren’t really there, and he’s beginning to consider drastic action. A surreal and comic Gaelic language short from writer and performer Hammy Sgìth, directed by Muireann Kelly.

Sukhdeep is excited. After all, it’s not every day you get chosen to host your high school’s 30th Anniversary Reunion Quiz. A virtual catch-up with all his old classmates, and he gets to be the centre of attention- what could be better? But between the disruptive laughter, low-brow humour, and settling of old scores, he’s beginning to remember why he didn’t bother keeping in touch. Sanjeev Kohli stars in and co-directs a hilarious short from writer/director Isobel McArthur.

Jawline Sabbatical is a suburb. 12,000 citizens strong, walled in on all sides, entering its 52nd month of strict local lockdown. Its people trample across it every day lost in their own lives. But tomorrow night, thanks to a delivery received by every single resident, its population will be nil. A poetic, uniquely inventive sci-fi fable from the mind of writer and director Alan McKendrick, featuring narration from Ross Mann and editing and graphics by Carrie Skinner.

Credo sees former Scots Makar Liz Lochhead perform a reading of her witty, uplifting manifesto on the art of theatre-making. The poem was first published in 2016 as The Theatre-Makers Credo, as part of her collection Fugitive Colours, which was released at the end of her term as Scotland’s national poet. Written by Liz Lochhead, performed by Liz Lochhead and Andy Clark and directed by Morag Fullarton.

Stuffy, dependable, unsurprising Mark is exactly the kind of guy who’ll go far in his mundane office job. But secretly he yearns to escape his boring life and become someone new. Maybe handsome co-worker Austin feels the same way... Will today be the day he finally has the guts to say how he really feels? Lawrence Smith, Ronan Burns, and Laura Lovemore star in an uplifting musical short from writer Finn Anderson, directed by Sally Reid.