Birds of Paradise – In An Alien Landscape

In An Alien Landscape is a co-production between Birds of Paradise theatre company and The Beacon. It emerges from playwright Danny Start's residency with BOP, supported by the Playwright's Studio. Telling the story of Albie, who comes out of a coma to find himself compelled to paint, it discusses how art can be created to make sense of life. 

Founded in 1990 by a group of disabled activists as part of the Glasgow City of Culture, BOP has always sought to encourage more inclusion of disabled people in the arts. Their efforts have contributed to wider accessibility to colleges, training, and career development for disabled artists, while their own productions have become adventurous in finding new work and serious content.

In An Alien Landscape, says playwright Danny Start, "is based on true life experience. [Protagonist] Albie is based upon a friend of mine who struggled with a super-abundance of creativity after experiencing a double brain haemorrhage. For Start, the play reflects his own struggles.  "My epilepsy has given me a particular outlook on life, where timelines cross and weave so close to the surface of everyday reality. I saw, in Albie and my friend, my own experience writ large and out of control – and this is what fascinates me."

BOP's reputation has been built on solid scripts and a faith in the potential of disabled artists to make work that does not need to be patronised. In An Alien Landscape allows a new voice to speak of their experience. [Eric Karoulla and Gareth K Vile]