Read the latest review by Mary Woodward in ScotsGay Arts

The idea for this show emerged from the refuge I sought in myth during the diagnosis and treatment of a melanoma in my eye. Throughout this entire period I was co-facilitating weekly myth sessions online with my partner Svend-Erik Engh and an intimate group of like minded myth divers from around the world. Every week someone would tell a myth and together the group would use that story to expand into their own creativity. There were certain stories which spoke to me about my experience and seemed to mirror the gravity of my personal tale. When an opportunity arose for me to share some new work in progress at Scottish International Storytelling Festival in 2021 the piece came together effortlessly within a matter of days. It was as though it had been forming in my subconscious mind for months. I performed a 40 minute version of the piece at the 2021 storytelling festival in its first draft followed by a discussion led by Donald Smith, Director of TRACS and the SSC at the time. I was greatly encouraged to develop the piece further and in 2023 I was commissioned by the SISF once more to stage a full performance. At this point I needed a strong outside eye to help make the piece stage worthy. Director Kath Burlinson came onboard and she worked wonders fine tuning and refining the piece for the stage. 

Kath Burlinson is a Theatre maker and founder of Authentic Artist Collective. Productions include When Mountains Meet (SISF, Celtic Connections, Scottish tour), Wolf (Escalator East to Edinburgh), Tender Age (Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds)and InVisible Lines (Assembly Roxy & SSC). Other directing credits include Mairi Campbell: Living Stone, Pulse and Auld Lang Syne (Vault Festival, 2xMade in Scotland showcases), The Old House by Kate Maravan (High Tide, Theatre 503, Assembly Roxy), Stolen Voices, National Theatre Studio, London (Tête à Tête,Arcola, Grimeborn), Unbroken Line (Ovalhouse).   www.authenticartist.co.uk

Special thanks to: 

My husband Svend-Erik Engh for his expert story coaching and constant support.

Donald Smith and the SISF Global Lab participants in 2021 who witnessed the birth of this show.

Iona Fleming Dressmaking for the fabulous blue dress.

All the staff at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for their commitment and support for storytelling.

Additional thanks to the Cook Family, the Authentic Artist Collective, Specsavers in Edinburgh, the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion Edinburgh, Gartnaval Opthamology Department Glasgow, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Bebington, Drew the Taxi Driver, and the Dodgy Eye Brigade.

The five colours blind the eye,

The five tones deafen the ear,

The five flavours dull the taste,

Racing and hunting madden the mind,

Precious things lead one astray,

Therefor the sage is guided by what they feel

Not by what they see. 

They let go of that and choose this.

(Tao Te Ching)