BATSHIT

Leah Shelton & Quiet RIOT present by Leah Shelton, directed by Ursula Martinez
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About

Back by popular demand, Fringe First winner and one-woman tour de force BATSHIT returns to Traverse Theatre.

BATSHIT is a wildly theatrical, darkly comic, and deeply intimate reckoning with the myths and misconceptions of female madness created by psycho-siren Leah Shelton (AU) and directed by Olivier award-winning Ursula Martinez (UK).

A requiem for Leah’s grandmother Gwen, who was incarcerated for seeking independence in 1960s Australia, BATSHIT draws on personal stories, in-depth research and pop culture to unpack how psychiatry has been shaped by gender bias.

Winner of a Scotsman Fringe First & the Mental Health Foundation Fringe Award at Edinburgh Fringe 2024, this renegade feminist dark comedy tears apart the labels used to control and undermine women through razor-sharp wit, raw storytelling, and unflinching performance.

BATSHIT is part of the Traverse's £1 Ticket Project.

Image: Joel Devereux

This project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body. Developed with the assistance of Metro Arts.

The Traverse Theatre is funded by Creative Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council.


Reviews

★★★★★ 'Moving and thought-provoking visual theatre that’s also terrific fun' - The Age

★★★★★ ‘Technically brilliant’ One 4 Review

★★★★★ ‘A show both hilarious in execution yet sobering in message’ ThreeWeeks

★★★★ ‘Brilliantly vivid’The Scotsman

★★★★ ‘Furious fusion of cabaret and theatre’The Stage

★★★★ ‘A whirlwind of righteous feminist power’Fest Mag

★★★★ ‘Told with raw emotion’The List

★★★★ ‘A masterclass in technical execution’ Corr Blimey

★★★★ ‘Unexpectedly funny ... deeply intimate’ North West End

Directed with customary care and sharp humour’ – Lyn Gardner


If you have access requirements, please contact our Sales and Welcome Team on boxoffice@traverse.co.uk or 0131 228 1404 so we can arrange reserved seating for you and discuss how else we can best support your visit.


Credits

  • Creator/PerformerLeah Shelton (she/they)
  • DirectorUrsula Martinez (she/they)
  • WritersLeah Shelton & Christine Shelton in collaboration with Ursula Martinez
  • Touring Co-Producer & AgentLinda Catalano (she/her)
  • Sound DesignKenneth Lyons (he/him)
  • Lighting DesignJason Glenwright (he/him)
  • Costume DesignLeah Shelton (she/they)
  • Set DesignLeah Shelton with Freddy Komp
  • VideoGrace Uther (video content) & Freddy Komp (live feed, projection, systems design)
  • Set & Lighting ConstructionFreddy Komp & Stephen Rowan
  • Scenic ArtingShaun Caulfield
  • Production & Stage ManagerFreddy Komp (he/him)
  • Conceptual CollaboratorsLisa Fa'alafi & Daniel Evans
  • Dramaturgical ConsultantSaffron Benner (she/her)
  • Choreographic ConsultantKate Harman (she/her)
  • Pre-recorded vocalsNaomi Price & Hugh Parker
  • VoiceoversChristine Shelton & Leah Shelton

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  • Captioned Captioning converts the dialogue and sound effects on stage into text which is displayed on a screen.

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  • Captioned Captioning converts the dialogue and sound effects on stage into text which is displayed on a screen.

    Book

    This performance is currently sold out

  • Captioned Captioning converts the dialogue and sound effects on stage into text which is displayed on a screen.

    Book

    This performance is currently sold out

  • Captioned Captioning converts the dialogue and sound effects on stage into text which is displayed on a screen.

    Book

    This performance is currently sold out

  • Captioned Captioning converts the dialogue and sound effects on stage into text which is displayed on a screen.

    Book

    This performance is currently sold out