Lab grown hearts and livers, nanotech and AI-curated stress-free lifestyles – big business has harnessed the power of science and medicine to conquer death.
Lifelong, a new Scottish drama from Lynda Radley and Pepperdine Scotland, raises the alarm about what happens when today’s rapidly advancing research into in life extension medicine bears fruit.
Much may depend on who is in control and the rules they choose to play by.
This world premiere, running from 7-17 August (previews 5 and 6 August), renews a partnership which saw Radley and Pepperdine Scotland earn widespread critical acclaim and a Fringe First with The Interference in 2016.
Lifelong builds on Pepperdine Scotland’s reputation for tackling contemporary social issues and identifying new dangers as they appear on the horizon.
The drama centres on a group of Pioneers whose scientific breakthroughs have made it possible for humans to remain young and strong for centuries.
Here at last is the fulfilment of one of humanity’s oldest dreams.
Now living in a special facility where every need is cared for, every worry soothed away, they can surely be confident that the corporation which owns it all will ensure that those who did the work will reap its rewards. Surely.
At the core of the drama, which is produced by Scissor Kick, are questions about the social and political distortion created by extreme, unfettered power and wealth.
- Since Scissor Kick’s inception in 2021, it has been responsible for 16 productions, nine research and development periods, presented 148 performances, shared their work with 21,192 audience members, and employed a total of 257 artists.
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Listings details
Lifelong: Presented by Pepperdine Scotland in association with Scissor Kick
- Venue: Studio 2, Assembly George Square Studios, EH8 9LH (Venue 17)
- Time: 12pm
- Dates: Previews 5-6 Aug. 7-17 Aug main run
- Duration: 70 mins
- Prices: £9 preview / £16, £15 – peak / £13 £12 non-peak
- Advisory: None
- Age: 14+
- Tickets: https://www.edfringe.com
Creative team
- By: Lynda Radley
- Directed by: Hollace Starr
- Producer: Stephanie Katie Hunter
- Dramaturg: Tom Creed
- Choreography: Sarah Miele
- Production manager: Paul Dufresne
- Stage manager: Tamryn Liddle
- Assistant Stage Manager: Ava Walters
- Scenic designer: Mak Burke
- Lighting designer: Aaron Quevedo
- Properties master and wardrobe supervisor: Mak Burke and Ade Zepeda
- Costume designer: Melanie Watnick
Cast
- Nicolle Castro
- Brooklyn Courtney-Moore
- James Davis IV
- Cassius Franciosa
- Hadassah
- Eden Gamble
- Skyla I’Lece
- Hailey Soomin Lee
- Nathan Roberts
- Blake Schalliol
- Kysiah Tapia
- Mandy Tatum
About Pepperdine Scotland
Pepperdine Scotland is the multi award-winning cultural and artistic exchange between Pepperdine University’s Department of Theatre and leading members of the Scottish Theatre Community.
In February 2012 the inaugural project saw playwright Peter Arnott and actor/musician John Kielty work with students on our first commission, Why Do You Stand There In The Rain? Following its Fringe First win, Why Do You Stand There In The Rain? returned to Scotland in 2013 as a touring production, which opened at the Traverse Theatre.
In 2014 Pepperdine Scotland presented its second world premiere, Forget Fire, devised by the company with J C Marshall.
2016’s The Interference by Lynda Radley earned us our second Fringe First Award, this time accompanied by a Broadway Baby Bobby Award and our second appearance on the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award Shortlist. The Interference subsequently transferred to the Hollywood Fringe Festival in co-production with Rogue Machine Theatre.
For 2018 Davey Anderson’s The Abode took us on a journey following young protagonist Samuel into the retro-futurist underworld of the Alt-Right, which premiered to critical acclaim and was longlisted for the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award.
Following multiple delays due to COVID Pepperdine Scotland returned in 2022 to premiere Morna Young’s critically acclaimed Americana: A Murder Ballad. It drew on traditional murder ballads from Scotland, the USA, and the migrations between the two and featured classic songs including Delia’s Gone, Frankie & Johnny and Stagger Lee. In 2024 the company collaborated with Lewis Hetherington to present the environmental activism drama no one is coming to save us.
For more about Pepperdine Scotland see https://www.pepperdinedrama.com
- Interviews available – just get in touch.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PepperdineScotland Instagram: www.instagram.com/PeppScotland Twitter: @PeppScotland
About Scissor Kick
Scissor Kick is a theatre company which produces live performances across a range of genres – from theatre to circus, physical theatre to new writing. We champion artists that make observant, transformative and unsettling work. We support artists to manage their projects, portfolios and relationships with networks and industry peers. We acknowledge that the work that artists conceive and produce does not exist in a vacuum; we firmly believe that our sector and its workers must engage in wider picture thinking if we are to ensure that our collective skillsets can be utilised to the best of their ability.
We apply our skills, knowledge and experience to provide artists with the best producing experience possible to realise the dreams they have for their work. We do this by creating opportunities for audiences and artists through the projects we envision, the co-productions we deliver, and through offering producing services for individuals and organisations on a case by case basis.
Since our inception in 2021, we have produced 5 national tours, made 3 short films, created an international film series in collaboration with artists and project partners across the globe (including the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne!), presented 2 shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as part of the Made in Scotland showcase, translated 3 best selling books (UK charts) into stage adaptations in partnership with the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and overseen the research & development processes of 11 new works. Outside of this work, independent artists have brought us onboard their projects to support their project management needs and provide them with 1-2-1 coaching.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScissorKickCo Instagram: www.instagram.com/scissorkickco Website: www.scissorkick.co.uk
Media contact: Matthew Shelley, SFPR, 07786 704299 Matthew@Scottishfestivalspr.org
