Islands

Islands

Written by Caroline Horton
Directed by Omar Elerian

Islands is an illuminating, absurd and powerful new show about tax havens, little empires, enormous greed and the few who have it all. Hilarious and unnerving, this ink black comedy with music plunges you into a monstrous, secretive world where it really seems that no-one has to pay…. for anything. Head off-shore and frolic with those who have it all worked out, as they feed their addiction to wealth, power and material stuff.

Oxfam estimates that there is $18.5 trillion siphoned out of the world economy into tax havens by wealthy individuals alone. Christian Aid has calculated that 1,000 children die every day as a result of tax evasion. This is not just a political or social challenge; this is a matter of human rights.

“Caroline Horton’s daring drama is revolutionary…a most gutsy and searching production.” – A Younger Theatre

“Audacious, brutal,scatological and not for the squeamish, the excellent ensemble of bouffons and camp queens leave stains wherever they land, and they’re hard to remove. They lampoon apathy and complacent anti-voters in fine lusty voice…The kind of agit-prop it didn’t seem possible to make anymore.” – The List

“deeply challenging, extremely entertaining and a little gross.” – Broadway Baby

“The year’s most talked about piece of theatre” – Andrew Haydon

“What you see, hear, and smell is a playful, overblown, monstrous journey” – Total Theatre

Commissioned by Warwick Arts Centre. Funded by Arts Council England and kindly supported by the Unity Theatre Trust, Oxford Playhouse and South Street Arts Centre.

Islands was developed in consultation with specialist economic advisers including John Christensen of The Tax Justice Network.

Photo © Helen Murray