Wildcard Theatre's ELECTROLYTE Embarks On International Tour

Wildcard have announced the international tour of their multi-award-winning production, Electrolyte. This is the company's first tour and sees them take in 31 venues across the UK and Ireland. This regional tour follows their award-winning run at last year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where the company scooped the Mental Health Fringe Award and the Pleasance Best Newcomer Award.

Artistic Director of Wildcard, and writer of Electrolyte, James Meteyard said: 'we're thrilled to be embarking on our first tour. When we founded the company in 2015 we had big dreams of taking our work to the regions and beyond and we're beside ourselves that these dreams are becoming a reality. Mental health is rightfully becoming something which is acceptable to talk about and we're delighted to be part of the conversation. This show deals with tough subjects but has an uplifting message; we want to help people around the UK and Ireland to know that it's okay not to be okay and promote the importance of community in combating poor mental health.'

Andrew Eaton-Lewis, Arts Lead for the Mental Health Foundation, said: 'We're very pleased to be presenting Electrolyte for a week of dates at this year's Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. This is the second year that we've invited the winner of the Mental Health Fringe Award at the Edinburgh Fringe to return to Scotland for our nationwide festival, which is now in its 13th year. Electrolyte was a clear favourite among our panel of award judges; it's an exhilarating, inspirational show that tackles a very difficult subject with great sensitivity. We are also supporting Electrolyte's other tour dates across the UK, and are delighted that they will be helping to raise money for the Mental Health Foundation in its 70th anniversary year.'

The tour starts on the 2nd May 2019 at The North Wall in Oxford before travelling to Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dublin, York and Nottingham, with more venues to be confirmed.

The show is written by James Meteyard with music composed by Maimuna Memon. The cast comprises Megan Ashley, Chris Georgiou, Olivia Sweeney, James Meteyard and Ben Simon.

Electrolyte, directed by Olivier award-winning director Donnacadh O'Briain, tells the story of Jessie, a girl from Leeds, dealing with the recent suicide of her father. She meets singer-songwriter Allie Touch, who is pursuing her music career in London. Allie's outlook inspires Jessie, who feels intensely oppressed by her life in Leeds. Impulsively, she follows Allie to London in pursuit of her mother, who left when she was young.

However, when she arrives, her mental health rapidly declines. With the support of her friends and mental health services she recovers, however, and actively encourages the audience to support those around them. The entire piece is underscored with a variety of genres including House, Jazz, Folk, Drum & Bass, and Rock.

Wildcard is an Associate Company of The Watermill Theatre and The Pleasance and is supported by English Touring Theatre's Artist Development Programme, 'Forge'. Winners of the Mental Health Fringe Award at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe for their production of Electrolyte, they are now partnered with the Mental Health Foundation. 2018 also saw the company pick up The Stepladder Award, The LET Award, The Voice Mag Pick of The Fringe Award and The Pleasance Best Newcomer Award.

Wildcard credits include: 17 (VAULT Festival), Electrolyte (Queen Dome / Pleasance Dome), The Cat's Mother (Brick Hall / VAULT Festival 2018 & Iron Belly / Underbelly Cowgate), After Party (Union Theatre & The Pleasance Theatre), DROP R&D (Theatre Delicatessen) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Broadway Theatre & Brockley Jack Studio Theatre). Wildcard are a registered charity (No. 1170677).

Tickets for Electrolyte are now on sale at most venues and can be purchased direct from theatres' websites and box offices. A full rundown of the venues can be found at www.wildcardtheatre.co.uk/electrolyte

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