In an Alien Landscape

Albie is an ordinary man who experienced 'a scuffle with death' which unleashed his creative genie.

He can't stop painting since he emerged from a coma. The extraordinary chaos of Albie's life and the sound of a continuous rushing white noise in his head drives his compulsion to paint. What is happening to him? There's no escaping who he was as his past still haunts him; but what lies ahead? Read more …

Inspired by a true story, Birds of Paradise Theatre Company’s latest production takes you on an ironic and humorous journey entering the world of brain injury, consciousness, memory and creativity!

More information on this production is available at www.birdsofparadisetheatre.co.uk.

The critical consensus

Played out against the backdrop of Kenny Miller’s clean lined, soft focus set, Start’s script is both flint edged and full of black humour, and poetic and philosophical flourishes; the performances of the cast meaty; and at only 70 minutes long this production about a “sudden savant” really packs a punch.

Alan Chadwick, STV, 02/02/2013

The production itself...feels a little dry and over-complex. That said, [director Julie] Ellen has brought out a strong, physical performance from Paul Cunningham as Albie.

Thom Dibdin, The Stage, 04/02/2013

Morag Stark, David Toole and Cunningham give spirited performances, but the things that interest us most (the man adjusting to a new personality, the outpouring of creativity) are the things we see least.

(*) (*) (*) Mark Fisher, The Guardian, 04/02/2013

In Julie Ellen’s production there are three good-hearted performances from Paul Cunningham as Albie, and Morag Stark and David Toole as the voices inside his head.

Francis McLachlan, Northings, 05/02/2013

Julie Ellen's production gains considerable levity from a dynamic performance from Cunningham.

(*) (*) Allan Radcliffe, The List, 05/02/2013

With the help of a superb cast...Paul Cunningham, Morag Stark, and Paralympics ceremony star David Toole as Albie’s dead father, and his cynical alter ego Klang – the Beacon’s director Julie Ellen succeeds in shaping this complex 70-minute text into a memorable stage experience.

(*) (*) Joyce McMillan, 05/02/2013