Ephemeral Ensemble: Rewind at the Bluecoat

Head to the Bluecoat this September to see Rewind, Ephemeral Ensemble’s startling show about the right to protest.

Using music, movement and puppetry to astonishing effect, this acclaimed play offers a perceptive portrayal of oppression and dissent in Latin America.

Gripping and timely, this performance aptly takes place on the 51st anniversary of the military coup that took place in Chile. It tells the story of Alicia, a 23-year-old Latin American protester who disappeared before her remains were found in Calama, Chile. Inspired by testimonies of Latin American refugees and migrants across generations, the show tracks Alicia’s defiance against authoritarianism and reveals a universal story of the struggle for social justice.

Piecing together a scientific examination of a crime secretly buried, this scorching drama is delivered through a staggering blend of visceral music, exhilarating physicality, captivating puppetry and remarkable visual effects.

Ephemeral Ensemble are a Global Majority and migrant-led international ensemble who make theme-driven theatre. Often using a question as a starting point for their work, the company are inspired to present fact-based stories that shine a light on current social issues. Visually striking and dynamic, their work is often political and thought-provoking.

First performed in Bogota, Colombia in 2022, Rewind toured Latin America before its UK premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2023. So far, the show has been very well received, winning the inaugural Summerhall Rewind Award in 2023 (with the Award aptly named after the show – for ensemble work with stories of decolonisation) and the LUSTRUM Award for unforgettable work at Edinburgh Fringe in the same year.

Recommended for ages 14+, the 65-minute performance will be followed by a Q&A with Ephemeral Ensemble.