TATTOO
Tattoo was a full-length show written and performed by six members of The Outsiders Project.
The stories were of gang tattoos, regretted tattoos, tattoos to celebrate survival. They were transformative, profound, sad and hilarious.
We are the originals. The outsiders. We scar our bodies to never forget.
Extracts from Tattoo are being performed in our prisons project.
“That was amazing. So brilliantly performed. Muscular and clever and vital and warm and so human. It’s astonishing work.”
“Absolutely stunning, moving, authentic theatrical experience.”
Read about Tattoo in the Guardian
Funders and partners include: Arts Council, Lottery, PHT, Alpine Fellowship, Sovereign Centre, BEAF, Talbot Village Trust, Recreate Dorset.
Credits
Directed and produced by: Jo Billingham
Lighting and sound: Geoff Stevens
Written and performed by: Gail Cecil
Neil Beard
Gary Lee
Debbie James
Charlie Hall
Allie Kenward
Previous 2021 credits – Written and performed by: Beth Bainbridge, Jimmy Burnett, Debbie James, Gary Lee, Si Mack, Shelley Mitchell. Director and dramaturg: Nell Leyshon
Past Performances
2025
Palace Court Theatre April 2025
Lighthouse June 2025
Forest Arts October 2025
MAST Southampton November 2023
B.A.D June 2021
Tattoo Performance
Tattoo was commissoned for the BEAF festival 21, and performed in the B.A.D. theatre.
Images © Roz Pike
Tattoo Exhibition
During Covid while waiting to create the show, we also had an exhibition of tattoo stories in the B.A.D. building.