DUST to Make Edinburgh Fringe Debut With Solo Drama Based on 1973 Mining Disaster
Craig McArdle stars in Yellow Brick Theatre Company's production at Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker One.
Yellow Brick Theatre Company will present DUST at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from August 5–30 at Pleasance Courtyard's Bunker One, with performances excluding August 12, 18, and 25.
Written and directed by Charlaina Thompson, the solo drama is based on the stories of survivors of the 1973 Lofthouse Colliery disaster, including the grandfather of performer Craig McArdle. The play follows an elderly man in a hospital ward as he reflects on his life, moving between present-day memories and earlier experiences as a boxer, boilermaker, soldier, and miner.
Set against the backdrop of Yorkshire's industrial history, the production explores themes of family, generational trauma, working-class identity, and the long-term effects of industrial labor. The narrative is guided by the character's inherited "10 Northern Commandments," a personal code through which he examines the choices he has made throughout his life.
The Lofthouse Colliery disaster took place on March 21, 1973, when a newly excavated coalface breached an abandoned flooded mine shaft. Seven miners were trapped underground, and despite a six-day rescue effort, only one body was recovered.
DUST is the first installment in a planned trilogy of works by Thompson exploring family history, working-class life, and intergenerational experiences. The playwright, who was raised in a Yorkshire mining family and is now based in Adelaide, received the 2025 Adelaide Fringe inSPACE Award for Best Original Work by a South Australian Artist for the play.
"It has been an honour to work on this play, and I hope that we have done justice to the memory of my grandad, the Lofthouse Colliery miners, their families and community," said McArdle.
Cast
The production stars Craig McArdle.
Creative Team
The creative team includes writer, director, and producer Charlaina Thompson.
Ticket Information
DUST will run at Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker One (Venue 33), 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh, from August 5–30, excluding August 12, 18, and 25. Performances begin at 2:10 p.m. and run approximately 55 minutes.
Preview performances on August 5 and 6 are priced at £9. Off-peak performances are £12 (£11 concessions), and peak performances are £14 (£13 concessions).
The production is recommended for audiences ages 16 and older and contains strong language, scenes of violence, and themes related to generational trauma and mental health.
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