Kevin P Gilday: Spam Valley
Weds, October 4th, 2023
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Critically acclaimed writer and performer Kevin P. Gilday (Suffering from Scottishness, Sonnet Youth) takes a verbal sledgehammer to lazy stereotypes and attempts to deconstruct what it really means to be ‘working-class’ in modern Britain. Spam Valley is a hilarious, autobiographical monologue exploring what happens when a working-class upbringing gives way to a middle-class career path. Blending theatre, stand-up and contemporary spoken word; Gilday delves into his own Glaswegian upbringing to chart his journey, from ‘Spam Valley’ to the stage, with trademark wit and delivery. Spam Valley is politically charged theatre at its best.
After a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe which garnered critical acclaim, including a five star review, the show hit the road for a mini-tour taking in performances at the iconic Stand comedy clubs. It is now available for booking for one-off performances throughout Oct/Nov 2023.
‘I wanted to make a show that challenged the way we view working class culture while still sharing the messy joy of it’, says Gilday. ‘We only ever seem to see one version of working class life in the media and it often doesn’t relate to my lived experience. I wanted to question that narrative, to attempt to find the truth about working class identity – or the multitudes of it. To do that I needed to delve into my own complex relationship with my upbringing and where I am now as an artist. It’s a personal show with a universal appeal, a hilarious night out with a big message of acceptance at its core.’
About Kevin P. Gilday:
Kevin P. Gilday is an award-winning poet, writer and performer from Glasgow. He is the founder of poetry performance collective The Scribbler's Union and was co-founder of much loved spoken word cabaret night Sonnet Youth. He is a National Theatre of Scotland Breakthrough Writer, a BBC Writersroom Scottish Voice and one of Scotland’s most celebrated contemporary poets.
Kevin has performed all over the world, from Hollywood to East Kilbride, including major festivals (BBC 6Music Festival, Glastonbury), Fringes (Edinburgh, Toronto, Vancouver) as well as large scale tours of the UK, Germany, Canada and the US. He has supported artists and public figures such as Akala, Saul Williams, George the Poet, Jackie Kay, Liz Lochhead, Sage Francis, The Silencers and Jeremy Corbyn MP.
His theatre work includes writing, performing, directing and production credits on hit shows Suffering from Scottishness, Exiles, Gigantic Lying Mouth, thick skin, elastic heart and Confessionals.
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Praise for Spam Valley:
‘Poignant class satire that demands to be heard’
★★★★★ - The Wee Review
‘Do your heart some good by grabbing a ticket before the run ends’
★★★★ – The Quintessential Review
‘an autobiographical monologue about class, delivered with controlled feeling and biting wit’
The Scotsman (Link)
Praise for Suffering from Scottishness:
★★★★ - The Scotsman
★★★★ - The Wee Review
★★★★ - Everything Theatre
★★★★ - Corr Blimey
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AWARD - Fringe Review
PICK OF THE FRINGE - Scots Wae Hae