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"It's not just the choiceIt's never just the choiceChoice is a fairytale."Tattoos are forever. Almost. And at Noodle Soup Tattoo there are strict rules: No names unless they're dead. Nothing on the face. Nothing you might get sued for later.
When Jodie, a rough sleeper, asks for a free tattoo from apprentice Kit, her request is well within the guidelines. But Kit is still unsure, because they know only too well that getting inked isn't the only decision that stays with you for the rest of your life.
Albatross is a small but sweeping story about the past refusing to stay in the past. It was originally commissioned by Plaines Plough in collaboration with Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and is published here to coincide with its production at the Playground Theatre, London in October 2021.
About the author
Isley Lynn is an American-born, London-based playwright and poet. They won the 'Charles Wintour Most Promising Playwright Award' at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2023 for their play
The Swell, which opened to great acclaim as part of Tom Littler's first season at the Orange Tree Theatre and was also nominated for Best New Play, Best Director and Best Production at the 2023 Offie Awards. Their play
Skin a Cat was awarded Pick of the Year at the Vault Festival 2016 and its production at The Bunker later that year led to four nominations for Off West End Awards including Most Promising New Playwright and Best New Play; it then toured nationally in 2018. Other credits include:
The War of the Worlds (New Diorama Theatre 2019, international tour 2021); 'Canace' in
15 Heroines (Jermyn Street Theatre 2020);
Albatross (Paines Plough and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama at Bute Theatre and Gate Theatre 2018);
The Swell (HighTide First Commissions play reading 2018);
Sie und Wir (Us and Them) for Werk X in Vienna (2016);
Tether (Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2015); and
What's So Special (as part of The Get Out at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs 2014). Her play
Bright Nights was a Script6 winner at The Space in 2014.
Additional text
Lynn’s scenes are full of genuine connections between characters, and the hope that comes with change.
