A new play inspired by Scottish Backhold Wrestling is coming to Helensburgh this summer.
Thrown, by new writer Nat McCleary, will embark on a tour of Highland games locations and community halls in the north and west of Scotland before opening at the Edinburgh International Festival in August.
Scottish Backhold is a style of folk wrestling originating in Scotland and a traditional test of strength and guile at Highland games.
Thrown celebrates this uniquely Scottish cultural phenomenon, telling the story of Glasgow’s most unlikely backhold wrestling team.
Five wildly different women gather in the muddy fields of the Highland games circuit to compete in this obscure art.
The pearls are off, influencer video posted, ‘Gucci’ bag from the Barras set aside as the bold beginners attempt to become a team and win the championship.
But nothing will prepare them for the competition that could stop them taking home the trophy – each other.
An all-female ensemble of Efè Agwele, Maureen Carr, Lesley Hart, Chloe-Ann Tylor and Adiza Shardow will take to the turf in this new production.
National Theatre of Scotland, with its ‘theatre without walls’ model, will be touring Scotland, playing in community arts spaces in association with a variety of highland games and gatherings.
Writer Nat McCleary said: “At its heart, Thrown explores belonging and identity through questioning what it is to be Scottish now.
“As someone who wrestles with identity, Backhold Wrestling seemed to be the perfect conduit for exploring a sense of self, belonging, notions of Scottishness and their place on a personal and national level at this moment in time.
“Audiences can expect a show that is honest, funny, and unapologetic.”
The full cast is Efè Agwele, Maureen Carr, Lesley Hart, Chloe-Ann Tylor and Adiza Shardow
Thrown will be performed in the Helensburgh’s Victoria Halls, in association with Helensburgh & Lomond Games, at 7.30pm on July 8.
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