Grab your broom sticks and join Edy Hurst on a wyrd and wonderfull journey of self-discoverie through the realms of the Lancashire Witch Trials, Neurodivergence and the Vengaboys!
Following successful previews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edy Hurst’s Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself premiered at The Lowry, Salford for two performances last Halloween. It is now embarking on a Witch recommended Broomstick tour of the UK. .Award-winning comedian Edy Hurst has created a new magical and mystical comedy theatre show that offers a humorous, heartfelt and unique insight into the shifting and sometimes mysterious world of late-stage ADHD diagnosis.
Drawing on his recently discovered magical ancestry which dates back to the – Lancashire Witch Trials, Edy seamlessly weaves together engaging storytelling, absurdist humour and important messages about the Vengaboys 1998 debut album to discover whether the answers to all his struggles could be found in magical gifts passed down through the generations?
At once, introspective, relatable, and delightfully irreverent, Edy Hurst’s Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself explores themes of neurodivergence, historical injustice, superstition, and personal identity The play was commissioned by The Lowry as part of its flagship artist development program Developed With; an 18-month program for artists in the North of England, with additional support from Arts Council England and Attenborough Arts Centre.
Antonia Beck, Senior Producer: Artist Development at The Lowry said “It has been such a joy to work with Edy over the past 18months, supporting him to not only expand his comedy work into theatre, but also shape and lead a creative process that places neurodivergence at the forefront. This new show is the epitome of Edy – innovative, brimming with ideas, fun, imaginative, and full of heart. We are so proud to have supported Edy and the development of this show and we can’t wait for audiences to experience it.”
The show is written and performed by Edy Hurst and directed by Joz Norris. Edy said “I cannot wait to share Edy Hurst’s Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself with audiences at the Lowry and across the country. The Developed With programme has been transformational for me creatively and professionally, allowing space, support and funding to explore a giant tangle of ideas with an incredibly talented team which, whilst based in my comedy skills, explores and plays with more theatrical elements to express the lived experience of ADHD through the only logical themes, the Pendle Witch trials and the Vengaboys.”
The show is not the only method Edy has been using to promote this new found knowledge. Alongside the show, new podcast I Pod a Spell on You sees Edy Hurst inviting guests from across the arts to talk about their careers as Disabled and/or Neurodivergent creators whilst solving very modern problems with the cutting edge technology of pre 1700s spell books.
?Images (c) Andy Hollingsworth
‘Funny. Quirky. Deep. Seamless.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – The Lancashire Post
‘Absolutely non-stop bonkers’ – British Comedy Guide
‘Delightfully silly’ – The Wee Review
