National Theatre of Scotland: Black Watch

Photo by Pavel Antonov

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Wednesday, February 16 - 20, 2011
Seating on the Bass Concert Hall stage
Bass Concert Hall
$42.00

Written by Gregory Burke
Directed by John Tiffany

Presented in partnership with Fusebox Festival and the Department of Theatre and Dance

Black Watch is presented as part of the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice Seventh Annual Conference – Aftershocks: Legacies of Conflict

This rare tour of Black Watch by the National Theatre of Scotland stops in Austin following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performances around the globe, and unanimous critical and popular acclaim. For this groundbreaking presentation, Texas Performing Arts is putting the audience on the Bass Concert Hall stage in a rare and intimate seating configuration.

Black Watch is a stirring play based on interviews conducted by Scottish playwright Gregory Burke with veteran soldiers who served in Iraq. Viewed through the eyes of those on the ground, Black Watch reveals what it means to be part of the legendary Scottish regiment, what it means to be part of the war on terror — and what it means to make the journey home again.

Hailed as a cultural landmark of the 21st century, John Tiffany’s production makes powerful and inventive use of movement, music, and song, all to create a visceral, complex, and urgent piece of theatre — compounded by your seat on stage, next to the action.

“#1 Theatrical Event of the Year”
Ben Brantley, NEW YORK TIMES
John Heilpern, NEW YORK OBSERVER
Eric Grode, NEW YORK SUN
Jeremy McCarter, NEW YORK MAGAZINE

“...one of the most richly human works of art to have emerged from this long-lived war.” – Ben Brantley, The New York Times
“It is essential you see Black Watch” – New York Observer
“A cultural landmark of the 21st century” – Newsweek
“The world must see this play. Immediately.” – The Herald

Reviews, Resources, & More

Austin-American Statesman preview
Black Watch review: Scottish battalion’s Iraq story is authentic, astonishing – The Washington Post
Review: Black Watch – The Wharf London
Charlie Rose – A conversation about the play Black Watch with director John Tiffany
Fashion sequence – The New York Times
New trailer
Creative Team interview
Cast in training
Cast in rehearsal
Building the set
National Theatre of Scotland’s website

Campus and Community Engagement Events

Film Series: Tattooed Under Fire
Black Watch Pre-Performance Lecture: Dr. Christine Leche
Black Watch Post-Performance Talkback – Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Black Watch: Readings From U.S. Military in Combat with Dr. Christine Leche
Black Watch Post-Performance Talkback – Saturday, February 19, 2011

Black Watch Trailer from Texas Performing Arts on Vimeo.

Click the Film Series: Tattooed Under Fire flyer image above to download a printable PDF.

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Submitted by Rick Lin (not verified) on Tue, 03/01/2011 - 3:33am.

The performance by the National Theatre of Scotland was absolutely amazing. The show was full of so much emotion and the actors gave an exceptional performance. Black Watch is on the top of my list for best performances. I am honored to have had the experience of watching such a powerful play with such inspiring dialogue. I look forward to seeing more from the National Theatre of Scotland.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/28/2011 - 12:51am.

blackwatch — could have done without 5,000 f-words. we understand it was trying to be realistic, but enough is enough.
also, difficult to understand — lost about 30% of the dialogue.
otherwise, very well done!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/27/2011 - 4:17pm.

Wonderful performance that will bring me back to see them again and again

Submitted by Leslie Geller (not verified) on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 9:17pm.

Thanks for hosting this production!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 1:14pm.

I felt immersed in the performance of “Black Watch” last week at Bass. The venue was perfectly suited to watch, participate in, this first-class presentation of theater. The lighting, sound, costumes, and acting was powerful and energetic causing the time to fly by. I felt drained as I left campus… but in a positive way.

I can easily recommend this show/group to others. I also hope hope for more innovative theater like this.

Thanks.

Submitted by Joy (not verified) on Sat, 02/26/2011 - 6:45am.

I’ve been in the theatre for 30 years and was expecting great things of Black Watch.
I wish I’d left before it started. My ears are still ringing from the obscenely loud sound and that was with the earplugs. I left not knowing much about the Iraq Waq that I didn’t already know which is to say, nothing about the show inspired me, informed me, or moved me about the personal stories of the individual men. It was a version of shock and awe theatre, which was assaulting. I regret having wasted an afternoon there, especially after having been charge $7.00 per ticket and a $3.00 will call fee, all of which was outrageous. Just be honest and call the ticket price $50.

Submitted by Mark McMillan (not verified) on Fri, 02/25/2011 - 9:50pm.

A very innovative visual and powerful musical experience. Stunning effects, including the boys of the Black Watch witnessing the destruction of an Iraqi village by American bombers during the battle of Fallujah. The story is a sad one, but the story of the pride that has carried the Black Watch through almost three hundred years of trying experiences is the enduring message. The pipe and drum music and St. Andrews Cross lighting before the production made arriving early an unexpected treat. Grade: A

Submitted by Lynn Fisher (not verified) on Fri, 02/25/2011 - 5:21pm.

What a truly wonderful evening of compelling theatre! An amazing production from start to finish and great pre-performance and post-performance activities. Thank you TPA for all your extra efforts to make it happen your dedication to presenting fine artistic works despite challenging economic times

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/25/2011 - 3:28pm.

I thought that it was a very powerful and thought-provoking drama. I enjoyed it very much.

Submitted by Scotophile (not verified) on Fri, 02/25/2011 - 1:51pm.

Excellent drama. Well-crafted, well-acted. Brilliant staging. Very moving. A great and innovative theatrical experience. I’ve ordered a DVD of the play from amazon.co.uk
I’m surprised that UT found it appropriate to offer so many apologies and disclaimers for the language and tone of the play. That struck me as somewhat “bush league,” as if Austin theatergoers aren’t expected to be sophisticated enough to cope with barracks humor and the language of soldiers. The glossary of Scottish slang was an excellent idea, and should have given those with frail sensibilities enough forewarning.