Plinth - Manipulate Festival 2024

A statue stands upon a plinth – a lightning rod for collective memory.

Shocked into life, the statue descends into the war zone which surrounds it. Tormented by images of conflict, the statue battles to comprehend the world into which it has been thrust. As awareness grows, a monstrous transformation ensues.

Abstract, unearthly, and powerfully visceral, Plinth is a poetic exploration of statues as artefacts of war, particularly with reference to the contentious archetype of the ‘hero’. The images within the performance are inspired by the myth of Theseus, Ariadne and the Minotaur; perhaps the ultimate tale of ‘hero’ vs. ‘other’.

Plinth is the latest in a series of performances Al Seed has created around the theme of conflict and the politics of its remembrance, the last of these being Oog which won the Total Theatre Award for Best Visual / Physical Theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe.

This extraordinary work, co-produced with Vanishing Point, is full of rich imagery and astonishing movement.

Presented as part of Manipulate Festival 2024, running from 1–11 February at venues across Edinburgh. Find out about other performances at the Traverse here.

Plinth is part of the Traverse's £1 Ticket Project.

Image: Laurence Winram

The development and presentation of Plinth has been funded by Creative Scotland and supported by the Beacon Arts Centre and Tramway. ASP is very grateful for the producing support provided by Claricia Parinussa during development, and for consultancy from Charlene Boyd, Judith Milligan and Hilary Westlake. 

The Traverse Theatre is funded by Creative Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council.

If you have access requirements, please contact our Sales and Welcome Team on boxoffice@traverse.co.uk or 0131 228 1404 so we can arrange reserved seating for you and discuss how else we can best support your visit.