Pheonix, Dodo, Butterfly – UEA Drama Studio (Norfolk & Norwich Festival)

A new play which vividly imagines three versions of our future, all impacted by the climate and nature crisis, will premiere at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival in May before embarking on a summer tour of the region.
Phoenix, Dodo, Butterfly has been written by University of East Anglia-based dramatist Steve Waters (The Contingency Plan, Song of the Reeds) and is directed by theatre maker and activist Kay Michael (A Play for the Living in a Time of Extinction, Sequel).

It is based on the work of Rupert Read (Emeritus Associate Professor of Philosophy at UEA and co-director of the Climate Majority Project), described by former Climate Change Minister Claire O’Neill as “one of the world’s leading climate activists”, and it is being produced by Lucy Farrant (LJ Hope Productions).
It builds on the success of a previous day-long workshop held at Norwich Arts Centre in 2022, which received unanimous praise.
The play is set on an East Anglian farm, where Martin and Becky seek to find their way through three futures: one of flood, one of drought, and one of potential hope. Maybe it’s their daughter Aimee who holds the secret to their survival?
The 50-minute play is followed by reactions and discussions on the drama and the climate crisis, initiated by prominent guest speakers such as author, journalist and Countryfile presenter Tom Heap and award-winning author and natural history writer Patrick Barkham.

The tour is being supported by an Arts Council England grant of £28,000, £4,500 from UEA and £450 from Norfolk County Council.

The opening chapter of Dr Read’s book, ‘This Civilisation is Finished’ (2019) serves as inspiration for the play.

The performance starts at 7.30pm

For more information, visit the website www.phoenixdodobutterfly.com

List of other performances:

May 25 – The Drill House, Great Yarmouth, 7.30pm including speaker Tom Heap.
June 7 – Angles Theatre, Wisbech.
June 8 – Sheringham Little Theatre, 7.30pm
June 22 – Teles Patisserie, The Covey, Norwich NR14 7GD.
June 23 – First Light Festival, Lowestoft.
July 20th – Hotbed Festival, The Junction, Cambridge, 7pm.