A Told by an Idiot and Birmingham Repertory Theatre co-production

  

In 2015, acclaimed British playwright Leo Butler accepted an invitation from former Government drugs tsar, Professor David Nutt, to be a guinea pig in the world’s first LSD medical trials since the 1960’s. 

Monty Python, Being John Malkovich, and Alice in Wonderland all resonate in this exhilarating and original comedy as we watch Leo jump down the rabbit-hole of a medical trial in search of enlightenment - and a good story.

Along the way he meets an array of characters from Aldous Huxley and The Beatles, to Steve Jobs and Ronald Reagan, whose own stories in the history of LSD are hilariously and poignantly uncovered.

Does the world still need a psychedelic revolution?  And will Leo make it back home in time for tea?

Part history, part wild fantasy, this darkly humorous play illuminates the drugs debate that won’t go away and examines the freedom we have to make our own choices in life, and death.

‘the drug laws in this country- the drug laws IN THE WORLD - all stem from this attitude that pleasure is a bad thing’  

In their 25^th year, critically acclaimed theatre company Told by an Idiot collaborated with one of the UK’s finest playwrights to continue to create the unexpected.

 

Reviews

★★★★ 'Playful genius' - Behind the Arras

★★★★ 'Fast, furious, and very often, funny' - Reviewsgate

★★★★ 'Told by an Idiot at its most playful and provoking' - Arts City Liverpool

'A lot of fun' - The Stage

 

Credits

Performers: Annie Fitzmaurice, Jack Hunter, Sophie Mercell, George Potts

Written by Leo Butler

Directed by Paul Hunter and Stephen Harper

Designed by Sophia Clist

Lighting Design by Alex Boucher

Composer Sophie Cotton

Assistant Director Beth Kapila

 

Tour Dates from 2018

4 - 13 October        Birmingham Repertory Theatre

16 - 20 October      Unity Theatre, Liverpool

1 - 3 November      Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol

6 - 10 November     Lowry, Salford Quays

15 - 17 November   Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

  

Integrated BSL Interpreted performances

We held a series of Integrated British Sign Language performances during the tour of All You Need Is LSD.

In our integrated British Sign Language performances the interpreter is incorporated in the action on stage, making the interpretation easier to follow. The interpreter works alongside the actors, rather than standing to the side of the stage. 

Interpreter: Jo Ross

The integrated BSL performances were on the following dates:

12 October - Birmingham Repertory Theatre

19 October - Unity Theatre, Liverpool

2 November - Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol

9 November - The Lowry, Salford

16 November - Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

 

Post Show events

11 October at Birmingham Repertory Theatre: A rare opportunity to pose your questions to real-life neuropsychopharmacologist Professor David Nutt, who features as a character in the show. Professor Nutt's continuing research at Imperial College, London is concerned with LSD's therapeutic effects on the brain, and conditions such as dementia and depression.

18 October at Unity Theatre: Join members of the creative team to learn more about how ‘All You Need is LSD’ was created from acclaimed playwright Leo Butler’s provocative script.

1 November at Tobacco Factory Theatres: Join real-life neuropsychopharmacologists Professor David Nutt and Dr Robin Carhart-Harris, who both feature as characters in the show. David and Robin’s continuing research at Imperial College, London is concerned with LSD’s therapeutic effects on the brain, and conditions such as dementia and depression.

8 November at The Lowry: Join members of the creative team to learn more about how ‘All You Need is LSD’ was created from acclaimed playwright Leo Butler’s provocative script.

Gallery