Vigil bridge
Performance

Vigil

Vig­il is a unique, one-man telling, refram­ing our chang­ing plan­et and explor­ing the sixth mass extinc­tion’ through live performance.

Vigil is a unique, one-man telling, reframing our changing planet and exploring the ‘sixth mass extinction’ through original and engaging live performance.

This video-on-demand version of Vigil is a digital edition of a full-length, award-winning stage performance. A collaboration between Mechanimal and Pound Arts, filmed at The Pound arts centre and on location in the south west in January 2021.

Vigil blends physical performance, poetry, projection and sound design as performer Tom Bailey takes us on a playful, poignant exploration of life in an age of extinction.

Bali Tiger. Dusky Seaside Sparrow. Cinnamon-coloured Cryptic Treehunter. Psychedelic Rock Gecko. Fire Millipede From Hell… One human encounters twenty-six thousand species from the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s ‘Red List’ within the space of an hour.

We advise listening through headphones for a more intimate and personal connection to the piece and performance.

Winner of a Summerhall Lustrum Award, Edinburgh Fringe 2019

‘Beautiful, contemplative… a remarkable and urgent show’ – The Guardian

‘Beautifully realised and thought-provoking’ – Total Theatre

‘Humour… fragile poetry… episodes of horror and despair’ ★★★★ – The Arts Desk

‘Memorable… a requiem against a clock counting down’ ★★★★ – The Scotsman

‘Compelling… elegant… emotionally charged’ ★★★★ – Fest

★★★★ – The Herald

★★★★ – The List