TheatreState to Bring TRIBUTE ACTS to London

Everyone wants their dad to be a hero. But what happens when your heroes let you down? Cheryl and Tess of London based theatre company TheatreState have childhood memories that are full of smiling men in suits promising to make life better: Tony Blair winning the 1997 election, Bill Clinton playing the saxophone, Pierce Brosnan saving the world. Their left-wing, suited Dads felt like they were one of these 90s new-men, too.

But Cheryl and Tess grew up, Tony took us to Iraq, Bill lied, Pierce lost Bond and their dads left home. As disillusioned adults trying to survive the New Labour aftermath, the young women wanted to know why their personal and political heroes lost our faith so spectacularly.

So Cheryl and Tess hit on the idea of asking their Dads the tough questions. But after years of not speaking openly, they decided to interview each other's Dads instead. And they filmed it.

Tribute Acts is a darkly funny and boldly honest exploration of father daughter relationships and the illusions we create when we want to hope. It enjoyed a successful run at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe, highlighted as a 'bold and fiercely realised work' by the Scotsman and 'one to watch' by Lyn Gardner in The Guardian. Now TheatreState are taking a full-length, newly revamped version on an extensive national tour that gives London and Surrey audiences the opportunity to see the show when it visits Sutton's Secombe Theatre on 17 June.

Frank video footage is at the heart of Tribute Acts. The fathers are projected as giant heads, constantly moving throughout the show. As the daughters question and probe, the men lose their caution and begin to divulge their views on their lives, their daughters and their own hopes. Hoping for a moment of profound understanding between estranged father and daughter, Cheryl and Tess soon get more than they asked for. As the camera turns on them, their mission to understand why their heroes failed them begins to ask the question why do we long for a hero in the first place?

Complex and poignant, Tribute Acts will strike a chord with anyone who has mixed emotions about their parents and concerns that their world will become our own.

TheatreState co-directors are Tess Seddon and Cheryl Gallacher. They make shows that celebrate the weird and alienating aspects of 21st century life. 'We put our own experiences into bumper cars and then invite the audience to press GO.' theatrestate.co.uk

London (Sutton) listings

Tribute Acts

Darkly comic and boldly honest Edinburgh hit show exploring of father-daughter relationships and why our heroes let us down.

17 June 7.30pm £10

London Back Door@The Secombe 42 Cheam Rd Sutton SM1 2SS SM5 3BB

020 3771 9055 www.suttontheatres.co.uk

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