"My story is about love… No, it’s about loss… No, it’s about love and loss and pain and loneliness… But it’s funny!"

Calvin is going to completely revolutionise his life. Escape his abusive boyfriend, detonate his inner sex bomb, see (and shag) the world. Yes, he’s going to change things, and everything will be wonderful, and he’s going to be so happy. Definitely. Finally. Right?

After a mere 104 driving lessons with Thelma, his beleaguered instructor and a lapsed psychotherapist (who knows far more about Calvin and his kinks than she ever wanted to), Calvin has finally passed his test on the 12^th attempt, and there’s officially no stopping him.

Now he’s found his partner in crime - the Cagney to his Lacey, the Celine Dion to his…Celine Dion - in the form of Wilf, a rusty Volkswagen Polo which, like Calvin, has seen better days. Together they hit the road on a wild and bumpy ride of dodgy Airbnbs, greasy takeaways, anonymous graveyard sex and banging 80s power ballads - ending up somewhere they never imagined they’d go.

But is Calvin breaking free, breaking down, or just breakdancing in hot pants?

This riotous and heartfelt new play from James Ley (Love Song to Lavender Menace), directed by the Traverse’s Artistic Director Gareth Nicholls (Ulster American, Crocodile Fever), takes audiences on a hilarious and unapologetic ride through Scotland as Calvin and Wilf attempt to escape loneliness, cope with mental illness and learn to love themselves, with the help of one another.

Strong language and adult themes throughout. Frequent graphic references to sex and drug use.

1m social distancing will be observed for this production. To find out more about our Covid-19 procedures, visit our How We're Keeping You Safe page.

Image by Laurence Winram.

The Traverse Theatre is funded by Creative Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council, with additional support from The Scottish Government Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund.

Press reviews

‘A filthy and brilliantly-paced joyride' ★★★★ The Scotsman

'Brutally dark but hilarious and defiantly post-watershed' ★★★★The Stage

'You will never look at a gearstick the same way again'Exeunt