Zoe is a writer and performer based in Glasgow, interested in fantasy, escapism, and exploring human questions through fantastical lenses. Zoe is particularly excited in interrogating the idea of the Anthropocene and discussing how humans – both individually and as a species – can navigate our changing world, finding ways to coexist with both each other and the environment. Zoe will be developing the initial script and ideas for the show ShÅ and the Demons of the Deep, inspired by the picture book of the same name, by Annouchka Galouchko.
ShÅ has lived in a tenement flat above the Clyde all her life, plagued by nightmares that won’t leave her alone. She is not alone; across the city, people stuff their old nightmares into bottles and jars until they are bursting at the seams. One day ShÅ finds a new way to get rid of her nightmares, and everyone is delighted. But when a deadly cost to this new method raises its head, ShÅ must travel all the way down to the sea in order to save her city.
“I first read this story when I was about eight years old and it has stuck with me ever since. It’s about dealing with fear, responsibility and the environment, but it’s also just a beautiful story with an almost mythic quality, and there are some very exciting ideas to play with! I’m particularly looking forward to collaborating with a director and designer to find a new way of working that integrates visual design from the very start of the writing process. I can’t wait to find the best way of bringing this story to life and sharing it with more young imaginations.”