Òran

By Owen Sutcliffe

Òran - a man leaping through a portal outside in a field

Combining spoken word, lyrical storytelling and a pulsating electronic live score, this is the thrilling story of Òran and his journey to rescue his best friend from the Underworld. Should he arrive there, Hades might grant him the chance to lead his friend home…but at what cost? 

This award-winning visceral piece of contemporary theatre is a collaboration between Wonder Fools, ‘a blazing powerhouse of invention and activity’ (Scotsman) and the acclaimed hip-hop artist Owen Sutcliffe with music by VanIves, creating an urgent and entertaining modern retelling of the classic Greek myth Orpheus.

Originally staged in Edinburgh Fringe 2024 for a sold-out run in partnership with Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Pleasance Theatre. Òran played at the Pleasance Theatre London for three nights in November 2024 

Winner for Best Debut at The Skinny and Fest Mag Bestie Awards.

18

Sold out performances

1347

Audiences

22

Performances

1

Award

2025 TOUR DATES & TICKETS

SEPTEMBER

19-20th – Cumbernauld Theatre at Lanternhouse

23rd – The Gaiety, Ayr

24th – Paisley Arts Centre, Paisley

25th – Birnam Arts Centre, Dunkeld

26th – Eden Court, Inverness

27th – The Macphail Centre, Ullapool

OCTOBER

1st – Dunoon Burgh Hall, Dunoon

2nd – The Byre Theatre, St Andrews

3rd – Eastgate Arts, Peebles

8th – Aberdeen Lemon Tree, Aberdeen

10th – Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Pitlochry

14th – Live Theatre, Newcastle

16th – An Tobar and Mull Theatre, Isle of Mull

18th – Lyth Arts Centre, Wick

22nd – Dundee Rep, Dundee

29th Oct – 1st Nov – Citizens Theatre, Glasgow

NOVEMBER

4th – Eastwood Park Theatre, Glasgow

6th – CatStrand, Castle Douglas

7th – Stranraer Millenium Centre, Stranraer

8th – Theatre Royal Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway

13-15th – Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh

28th – Curve, Leicester

“Performed with terrific intensity”

★★★★

Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman

Òran poster

The poster design for Òran by Orlando B Lloyd. Photo by Ruari Barber-Fleming.

AUDIENCE REACTIONS

Listen to what our audience members in Pitlochry Festival Theatre thought of Òran.

Filmed by Ruari Barber-Fleming.

We caught up with audience members at Pleasance Courtyard (Baby Grand) to hear their reactions after experiencing Òran.

“A complete immersive experience” – ★★★★★ Sinners Review

“An electric one-man tour de force” – ★★★★★ The Arts Dispatch

“Passionate ferocity” – ★★★★ Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman

“An electrifying, sound-led ride down into the underworld” – ★★★★ Theatre Weekly

“A sincere tale told with passion and impressive athleticism.” – ★★★★ Edinburgh Fest Mag

“Highly effective” – ★★★★ Fest Mag

“An electric and electrifying piece of theatre” – ★★★★ The Wee Review

“An epic, hip-hop-influenced poem” – ★★★★ The QR

“A provocative, immersive creation” – ★★★★ The Arts Desk

★★★★ Entertainment Now

★★★★ The Students News

AUDIENCE REACTIONS

“Super brilliant whirlwind of an hour of the best live scored spoken word!”

“A gripping performance by Robbie Gordon”

“Incredible score and sound, an entrancing, intense solo performance from Robbie Gordon. Big thumbs up from me.”

“Oran is full of beautiful lyricism, poetry and storytelling”

“Words and poetry I could eat up with a spoon”

“Lads, I live for takes on a myth, and Òran is a phenomenal take on a myth. The imagery, the poetry, the ambition.”

“Very cool, very imaginative, performed with incredible commitment and energy. Fans of spoken word theatre – this one is for you”

“Equal parts cheeky and sonically captivating. Oran is a must see this Fringe”

“Oran by Wonder Fools is full-throttle beast of a show. Great to see new Scottish work with such swagger from one of our most impressive companies” – Kieran Hurley

Director: Jack Nurse

Writer: Owen Sutcliffe

Performer: Robbie Gordon

Music: VanIves & Ben Deans

Lighting Designer: Benny Goodman

Video Designer: Heather Scott

Technician: Cécile Segura

Production Manager: Suzie Normand

Marketing: Serden Salih

Press & Publicity: Michelle Mangan

Fringe 2024: Òran is created by Wonder Fools in partnership with Pleasance Theatre, Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Edinburgh National Partnerships.

Òran Tour 2025 is supported by Creative Scotland’s Lottery Fund