A Play for Torry

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.

Credits

Cast
Carol Anderson
Tiana Milne-Wilson
Lisa Livingstone
Ros Watt
Rebecca Wilkie

Community Cast
Ian Stuart Baird
Hannah Chowdhry
Shanu Gupta
Lynne Restrup

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

Technician Nathanial Campbell-Scott-Howells
Lighting Design Simon Gane
Costume + Props Emily Roberston

Co-Producer Scott Herrett (Friends of the Earth Scotland)
Producer Joanne Matthews

​Press enquiries
Mim Black at mimblackpr@gmail.com or on +44 7507 8888 37

All other enquiries
aplayfortorry@gmail.com

Support our 'Save Aberdeen Arts Centre' campaign by making a donation at the time of booking! Alternatively, please visit our Just Giving page: Save Aberdeen Arts Centre - JustGiving