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Ticker (play)

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British play about sudden death
Ticker
Written byTom Machell
Directed byDerek Anderson
Music byHolly Khan
CharactersSpencer
Date premieredAugust 2019
Original languageEnglish
GenreDark Comedy

Ticker is a one person play written and performed by Tom Machell. In May 2019, it previewed at various London Theatre venues including Theatre 503 and The Bunker Theatre before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The play premiered in August at Underbelly, Cowgate. In November 2019, the production transferred to Alphabetti Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne and in 2021 to The Turbine Theatre at Battersea Power Station. The play was printed by PlayDead Press and Produced By Fight In The Dog in association with United Agents.

The play was directed and developed by Derek Anderson with original compositions and sound design by Holly Khan.

Plot

Ticker follows twenty-something Spencer, a Geordie millennial who is deeply in love with the inestimable Gabi. But Spencers life is torn apart by Gabi's untimely—and unexplained—death. How can he even begin to cope with finding himself suddenly a prime suspect and a chief mourner? Themes of outsider grief and loneliness meet black-humour and frank dialogue, exploring male identity, toxic aggression, and how not talking about things can eventually lead to self-destruction.

Reception and coverage

The play received a number of five-star reviews, with Narc magazine describing it as "dark themes of death, grief and loneliness are paired with satirical, playful black humour; expect sharp and witty dialogue delivered with emotion and vulnerability and executed in what is sure to be a stand out lead performance from Tom Machell."

The Scottish Sunday Post posted an article about the play and the impact it had on getting young people to get their hearts tested.

The play partnered with Cardiac Risk In The Young to raise awareness and funds for the charity.

The play was dedicated to Machell's friend Stephanie Mclean who died of a heart condition aged 24.

References

  1. ^ "Tom Machell". United Agents. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  2. "TICKER". Playdead Press. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  3. Thomas, Max (2019-09-03). "Review: Ticker, Underbelly Cowgate, Edinburgh Fringe". A Younger Theatre. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  4. "NEWS: Ticker @ Alphabetti Theatre | NARC. | Reliably Informed | Music and Creative Arts News for Newcastle and the North East". narcmagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  5. Crae, Ross. "Fringe play Ticker uses creator's real life story to raise awareness of sudden cardiac deaths in young people". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  6. "Edinburgh Fringe Writer Uses True Story of Friend's Passing as Inspiration for Play about SDS – Cardiac Risk in the Young". www.c-r-y.org.uk. Cardiac Risk in the Young.
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