Salty Irina

presented by Broccoli Arts and Thistle And Rose Arts

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023 | Roundabout | 2nd - 27th August | 2:30pm

A thrilling new play by Eve Leigh and directed by Debbie Hannan, Salty Irina is about two girls falling in love and fighting nazis. After a series of racist murders in their European town, Anna and Eireni decide to infiltrate a far-right festival to identify the culprits. But when the nature of their relationship is uncovered, their safety is threatened. A coming-of-age story set against the rise of the far-right, Leigh’s play is an urgent, poetic, kick-ass thriller for queer women.

  • ★★★★★

    "a powerful two hander… incredibly atmospheric and terrifying"

    West End Best Friend

  • "Pacy tale of infiltrating extremism and everyday resistance"

    The Guardian

  • ★★★★

    " powerfully punchy, anti-fascist romance. .. Eve Leigh’s writing is excitingly unpredictable. Debbie Hannan’s direction is playful, tender and embraces the in the round venue. The actors are engaging and beautifully paint a picture of both pain and passion."

    "A nuanced, romantic, and layered story."

    Ed Fest mag

  • “Moments of real dramatic power... a lyrical play of awakening."

    The Stage

  • ★★★★

    "Fantastic chemistry"

    One4Review

  • “a compelling fable on love and resistance”

    The Scotsman

  • ★★★★

    "an intelligently written, skilfully constructed piece of theatre… completely gripping"

    WhatsOnStage

  • ★★★★

    "Debbie Hannan’s direction is fresh and contemporary...Van Der Westhuysen and Özdemir are perfectly cast"

    Bouquets And Brickbats

  • “earth-shaking romanticism”

    Broadway World

Eve Leigh, a white woman with dark shoulder-length hair stands in front of a white background, head and neck in frame. She stares directly at the camera with a neutral expression and warm red lipstick. She wears hoop gold earrings.

  • Writer

    Eve Leigh is an award-winning, internationally recognised writer working across theatre, screen, games, installation, and digital art. Works include Midnight Movie, which premiered at the Royal Court Theatre and was selected for the Berlin Theatertreffen Stueckemarkt 2020; Wildfire Road, which premiered at Sheffield Theatres in 2023; Salty Irina, shortlisted for the Bruntwood Prize 2019 from 2,561 anonymous submissions; and The Trick, which debuted at the Bush Theatre, followed by a national tour produced by HighTide Theatre. She leads the first-ever Royal Court/Deafinitely Theatre writers' group for Deaf writers. She was joint Jerwood/Royal Court New Playwright 2019, and the first-ever Artist in Residence for the Experimental Stage of the National Theatre of Greece in 2017.

Debbie Hannan, a white person with short dark curly hair, looks smiling into the camera. Her head and shoulders are visible against a grey background. They're wearing a sapphire blue cordouroy shirt buttoned all the way up.

  • Director

    Debbie Hannan develops and directs new work for stage and screen. They are currently Associate Director at National Theatre of Scotland. From January to July 2022, they were Acting Artistic Director of Stockroom, working as Showrunner of their Writers Room. They were Associate Director at the The Bunker Theatre, as well as Incoming Artistic Director of the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, and are represented by Independent Talent. They trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and as Trainee Director at the Royal Court.

Eve Allin, a white woman with a blonde bob and a fringe, stands side-on to the camera against a floral background with greenery and white flowers. Her head is facing the camera and she is looking directly at the lens with a slight smile.

  • Co-Producer

    Eve Allin is a freelance producer for theatre and dance. She is lead producer at Broccoli Arts, making work by queer women and non-binary people for stage and page. She produces for international, award-winning artists Jaz Woodcock-Stewart, Nathan Ellis and Jennifer Jackson. Most recently, she was associate producer at Soho Theatre and assistant produced the caravan showcase for Farnham Maltings.

    Broccoli was founded by Salome Wagaine in 2019 and is now led by Eve Allin. The company creates work primarily for, by, and about lesbian, bisexual, and queer women and non-binary people. Broccoli most recently produced Before I Was a Bear (★★★★★ The Stage) which had a sell-out run at Soho upstairs in June 2022.

    Broccoli exists to produce work that has variety, ingenuity and relevance. They encourage queer writers and creatives to make work that is not defined solely by identity. They aim to create sustainability, opportunity and success for queer creatives and their stories.

Audience Reviews for Salty Irina

  • "So poignant and heavy, and so slickly executed. You don't need high production to create a truly thought provoking piece. Much recommended!"

    Richard Vanryne

  • “This is one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. The story is touching and important. It’s so well written and so well acted. If you have a chance, please please go see this show!”

    Anna

  • “The best show we have seen so far. Beautifully acted, well written story, cool space…. Go see it!”

    Shani Peretz

  • “I loved this, I thought that the relationship between Anna and Eireni was explored really well. The acting was intense, and the Roundabout is a great location for that.”

    Chris Rush

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