Surrogate are delighted to bring WHO KILLED MY FATHER (Qui a tué mon père) back to Scottish stages in 2023, following a critically acclaimed, sell out debut at the Tron Theatre in 2022. Touring from 27 April – 30 May, WHO KILLED MY FATHER is based on the third autofiction book by Édouard Louis, translated by Lorin Stein, and adapted for the stage by director Nora Wardell. Michael Marcus returns to the role of Édouard.
Dress rehearsal of ‘Who Killed My Father’ by Édouard Louis, performed by actor Michael Marcus at Tron Theatre, Glasgow.
Growing up gay in a small town in France, Édouard endured the violence and homophobia of his alcoholic, right-wing father, a factory worker. In 2000, his father suffered an accident in the workplace which left him bedbound and on morphine for the pain.
Now, Édouard confronts his father who, barely fifty years old, can hardly walk or breathe. Uncovering a startling connection between political decisions and his father’s broken body, Édouard’s anger transforms to compassion. His father’s capacity for violence appears to be the product of years of social brutality.
Louis sets about rewriting the recent social and political history of France, exposing how the consequences of neo-liberal ‘reforms’ inflicted on the lives of workers are lived out in their own bodies.
This rare text forms Surrogate’s second work for the stage; a timely piece that ignites a conversation around the impact of political decision making on the body, whilst engaging with issues surrounding class, masculinity, and homophobia.
The Spring tour will begin at Cumbernauld Theatre on 27 April, before taking in venues across the country including Mull Theatre; Dumfries Theatre Royal; the Byre Theatre, St Andrews; Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; MacArts in Galashiels; Platform Easterhouse, Glasgow; the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock; Universal Hall, Findhorn; An Lanntair in Stornoway; Eden Court, Inverness; before closing at The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen on 30 May.
Dress rehearsal of ‘Who Killed My Father’ by Édouard Louis at Tron Theatre, Glasgow. 2022
Surrogate create new dramatic forms that ask urgent questions about our world today. Their work is playful and emotional, with the ‘live’ relationship between actor and audience at its heart. WHO KILLED MY FATHER is supported on tour by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
Alongside the WHO KILLED MY FATHER tour, Surrogate are offering 12 paid creative placements for young people – one for each touring destination. These surrogate(s) can be young theatre-makers, performers, writers, aspiring producers, marketeers or more. They will help support audience development, contact marginalised groups in their communities and share the performances, workshops and post-show activities.
Surrogate(s) will also be able to gain learning and insights to benefit their future development and practice, with dedicated time spent with the creative team members and the opportunity to shadow and learn about their roles and/or practice.
More information on ‘search for surrogate(s)’ and how to apply can be found at: https://www.surrogate-productions.com/
‘Confronts the role of rampant class inequality’
★★★★ The Scotsman
‘Powerful staging of Édouard Louis’ devastating third book … [with] an honest, engaging solo performance’
★★★★ The Stage
