Roadkill
Theatre Production
Director
written by Stef Smith
Mercy Ojelade in Roadkill. Photo by Andrew Wilson
★★★★★
“There is no counting the ways in which Cora Bissett’s production shatters, disturbs and challenges us”
- The Scotsman
In a Benin city, a young girl struggles to support her family. A world away, in an Edinburgh tenement, Aunty Martha arranges a job and flight for her. Journey with her on the bus that leads to a new life and discover the nightmare reality behind Martha’s promises.
“When a young woman quite literally lands on your doorstep, and wakens you with her screams in the night, trafficking ceases to be an ‘issue’ and becomes about an individual.”
- Cora Bissett
Olivier Award for Best Production in an Affiliate Theatre, 2012
Amnesty Award for Freedom of Expression
Edinburgh International Festival Award
Fringe First
Herald Angel
Total Theatre Award for Innovation
Holden St Theatre Award
Stage Award for Best Actress – Mercy Ojelade
CATS Award for Best Production
CATS Award for Best Actress – Mercy Ojelade
Photo by Tim Morozzo
Photo by Andrew Wilson
Photo by Andrew Wilson
Photo by Andrew Wilson
Cora Bissett’s and Stef Smith’s critically acclaimed and urgent production exposing the hidden world of sex trafficking is based on the experiences of a young woman trafficked to Scotland. It was the first production in Edinburgh Festival Fringe history to win every major theatre award .
★★★★★
“brutal and compelling”
- The Evening Standard
★★★★★
“brilliant, sobering, frank, very moving.'
- What's On Stage
★★★★★
“This is immersive theatre at its most powerful”
- Financial Times
★★★★★
“startling and at times harrowing'
- The Herald
“This is by design a consciousness-raising show, meant to bring a sobering immediacy to a topic that has become a regular subject of television crime shows”
★★★★★
“There is no counting the ways in which Cora Bissett’s production shatters, disturbs and challenges us.”
- The Scotsman
★★★★
“there’s no faulting the passion of the piece”
The Independent
★★★★
“I cannot urge you strongly enough to go and see it”
The Stage
★★★★
“Roadkill is brutal because the exploitation of human beings is brutal.
You won’t leave unscathed”
- New York Post
Trailer
In the media
Roadkill wins affiliate Olivier
The Guardian
Roadkill heads to New York
The New York Times
Taking Audiences on an Unsettling Ride
Cast
Original Cast
John Kazek
Mercy Ojelade
Adura Onashile
2013 Tour
Nicky Elliot
Lashana Lynch
Faith Omole
Creative Team
Directed by Cora Bissett
Text by Stef Smith
Assistant Director and Sound Artist Harry Wilson
Designed by Jess Brettle
Digital Media Artist Kim Beveridge
Animation Artist Marta Mackova
Lighting Design Paul Sorley
Movement Direction Natasha Gilmore
Produced by Pachamama Productions and Ankur Productions. International tours in association with Richard Jordan Productions.