How Not To Drown

The project

In 2002, in the turmoil after the end of the Kosovan War, Dritan is sent on the notoriously perilous journey across the Adriatic with a gang of people smugglers to a new life in Europe. He relies on his young wit and charm to make it to the UK. But the fight for survival continues as he clings to his identity and sense of self when he ends up in the British care system. His wit and charm helped him navigate this journey. With ThickSkin’s trademark physicality and slick production values, How Not to Drown presents an action film for the stage.

The brief

A tour postponed by COVID19, the show needed some small updates from the original production before heading back out on the road. Touring to seven venues across the UK, the production needed to be equipped for venues of a range of size, style and format.

The solution

Working with Designer Becky Minto and Set Builder Jack Poole, the structure of the set was improved based on notes from the previous run of the show. Documentation including risk assessments and method statements was well as technical information, ground plans, lighting plans and schedules were created to ensure that the designs of Zoe Spurr (Lighting Designer) and Alexandra Faye Braithwaite (Sound Designer) were maintained across a variety of spaces, and could be installed by a small touring team.