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.

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