Edinburgh International Children's Festival: I Am Tiger

A month after losing her big brother to suicide, Laura’s parents buy her a pet tiger. They never explain the tiger and never discuss Laura’s big brother. Not ever. It’s like Laura’s big brother didn’t exist. And having a pet tiger is illegal for a reason. Soon things start to spiral out of control… as things tend to do with feelings of grief… and tigers…

Inspired by two facts – that the number one killer of men in the UK under 40 is suicide, and that there are now more tigers kept as pets than live in the wild – this is a drama about how to survive when the worst has happened. Heart-breaking, comic and thought-provoking, I am Tiger is about trying to live with loss, how keeping wild animals at home will quickly increase your shopping bills, and why keeping silent is not always the best solution.

There will be a creative writing workshop and resources available to support pupils and teachers on the themes raised in this show.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised, you can contact the Samaritans who provide a safe place to talk 24 hours a day. Phone 116 123.

This work has been developed and supported by the Scottish Government's Festivals Expo Fund and Imaginate’s Accelerator programme. Accelerator is supported by the PLACE programme, funded by the Scottish Government (through Creative Scotland), the City of Edinburgh Council and the Edinburgh Festivals.