Set against a backdrop of the climate crisis, debut play Too Much World at Once, from Papatango-shortlisted writer Billie Collins is a lyrical coming-of-age story about growing up queer in rural England.
Collins - born in Wirral, based in Manchester - was selected for the 2022 BBC Writersroom Northern Voices group and was part of Film Hub North's 2020 Script Lab, and her first play, produced by Box of Tricks, opens at HOME Manchester (March 3-11) before a substantial tour running until late April.
In a poetic story of a boy transformed into a bird, the show touches on themes of family and belonging, and the company has worked with experts to make the tour as sustainable as possible – to reflect the climate crisis messages of the play.
Joint artistic director of Box of Tricks, Adam Quayle, said, “Billie first wrote the play when she was 21, on our early-career development programme for North West playwrights, PlayBox. Reading that first draft in one sitting, I knew we were on to something special.
"The play is at once lyrical, epic, theatrical and heartfelt, and speaks about our world today – exploring the climate emergency, young queer identity, family... I knew I had to direct a production one day."
Billie also has projects in development with ThickSkin Theatre and Toastie Animation, and was selected for the 2022 BBC Writersroom Northern Voices scheme.
Based in Manchester, Box of Tricks is an award-winning theatre company that brings people together to share stories collectively. They stage new plays and connect with communities across the UK.
More tour info and tickets here