The project came about as an idea Afton and Nelly had
together while sitting in the Meadows sipping knock-off champagne during Edinburgh Pride, and having a laugh-or-cry moment about news articles referencing ‘the Trans Cult’. They jokingly played
with the idea of assuming the shared role of cult leaders of the Trans Cult, supposedly set on indoctrinating your children and making it a reality. That idea has since become less of a joke. The work will use humour as a means of examining the more ridiculous notions perpetuated about trans
people by cis-dominated media outlets, seeking to engage audiences who seldom interact with trans people in their day-to-day life, while centering the well-being and entertainment of its trans audience.

This development was delivered in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts.

“Our time on our Sanctuary Queer Arts residency developing our project The Great British Trans Debate Off [Working Title] was invaluable. It was the first time that we were given the space, resources and support to create work together in a collaborative capacity. We wanted to begin exploring our ideas together in a way that acknowledged it didn’t have to happen in a conventional 9 to 5 working day. As a company we felt energised by the encouragement we were given to create in our own way, through taking breaks whenever it felt natural, having energy level check ins and starting off our days with yoga. What was most important to us though was feeling safe to create boundary pushing work without judgement. We are currently on the shortlist for funding from Unlimited and if we are successful then our plan is to begin fully developing/creating the show with the aim of premiering it at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival upon completion.”