A WorldStage event
from Scotland
Islander
November 29
December 17, 2023
Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare
conceived and directed by Amy Draper
associate direction by Eve Nicol
book by Stewart Melton
music & lyrics by Finn Anderson
A WorldStage event
“★★★★★ A flawless gem... A modern folk tale that is hard not to fall in love with”
–BritishTheatre
“Really gorgeous—sharp, moving, funny”
–The Daily Beast
Winner, Best New Musical – Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Staged with a contemporary folk-inspired score and epic storytelling, two performers reveal a world of characters, live-mixing and layering their voices to create a dazzling, unexpected soundscape as dramatic as the Scottish coastline. Eilidh is the only child on Kinnan Island, where most of the dwindling population has moved to the “Big Land.” As the island’s residents debate its future, a baby whale beaches itself, and Eilidh discovers a mysterious girl along the shore. This modern myth takes audiences on a journey that transcends loss, recovers hope, and finds community.
This celebrated co-production from Scotland is part of Chicago Shakespeare’s WorldStage Series—a landmark commitment to bring the world’s great theaters to Chicago and Chicago Shakespeare to the world.