A time-travel ride through evolution of sexes, celebrating our diverse gender identities and sexualities. Packed with humour and DIY tech, Sex Education Xplorers (S.E.X.) is a playful new take on sex education from the award-winning artist Mamoru Iriguchi, whose work has been described as, “gloriously original” (Socialist Worker), “nothing short of genius”(Sunday Herald) and “Daringly inventive” (The Stage).
An eye-opening experience for teenagers, and everyone who missed the sex education they deserved at school!
“…a wonderful dream to get swept up in, full of images that linger in your brain” ★★★★ Financial Times (read full review)
“Bold, fun, bizarre, educational, hilarious and unexpectedly emotional”. ★★★★★ EdFringe Review (read full review)
“Sex Education Xplorers (S.E.X.) should be celebrated for its inventiveness, charisma and boldness” ★★★★ The Wee Review (read full review)
Duration: 1hr
Age guidance: 12+
2023 Tour Dates:
1pm, 15 & 2pm, 16 September, Platform, Easterhouse *
2pm & 7.30pm, 19 September, Mull Theatre, Druimfin
1.30pm, 21 September, Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock
6.30pm, 22 September, Byre Theatre, St Andrews
7.30pm, 26 September, Cumbernauld Theatre **
2pm, 28 September, Black Isle Leisure Centre, Fortrose
1.30pm, 29 & 6pm, 30 September, The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
1.30pm, 3 October, Dunoon Burgh Hall
1.30pm, 4 October, Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock
* A Sensory/Quiet Space to move, stim, or decompress will be available between 12-3pm on Friday 15th September at Platform. The space will be set up and supported by artist Max Alexander.
** Audio Description by Christopher McKiddie will be provided during the performance at Cumbernauld Theatre on Tuesday 26th September.
A Visual Story is available to view or download below.
Completed runs:
6-29 August 2021, Summerhall as part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2021
3 June 2023, Summerhall, Edinburgh
9 June, Regal Theatre, Bathgate
15 June, Lyth Arts Centre, nr Wick
21 June, Quarrymen’s Arts Centre, Creetown
Performed by Mamoru Iriguchi & Theo Seddon
Lead Artist: Mamoru Iriguchi
Performer/Facilitator: Sally Charlton
Movement Director & Outside Eye: Chris Stuart Wilson
Dramaturg, Engagement Artist & Associate Producer: Lou Brodie
Costume: Alison Brown & Lovisa Litsgård
Outside Eye: Clare Duffy
Technical Stage Manager: Finley Dickins
Production Coordinator: Katherine Dilworth
Press: Wendy Niblock
Marketing & Social Media: Karen Steel
Producer: Mhari Robinson
Originally presented as part of Made in Scotland Showcase 2021 and supported by Creative Scotland.
2023 tour supported by Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund.
“We felt this was a crucial, important and relentlessly entertaining show which managed to vehicle an important message and we wish for young audiences around the world to be able to see it.”
WINNER: Infallibles Award 2021 – Best show for Young Audiences.
“All adults should see this show.” (14 year old, Edinburgh)
“A spoof senior-school lecture… designed to send critics of modern gender theory into meltdown….” ★★★★ The Scotsman (read full review)
“They didn’t teach it like that at school… thanks to @Mamoru Iriguchi and @Summerhallery for a brilliantly funny and thought provoking show. #SexEducationXplorers @HighlightsRural)
“Loved loved loved Sex Education Xplorers at Summerhall – gloriously silly, hilarious, but ultimately serious show about sex and gender” (@rhysmann)
“Stunningly relevant show. Laugh, cry, lip sync, what more do you want? (@stefx_123)
“packing this much information and discourse into an entertaining hour is an extraordinary feat” ★★★★ The Skinny (read full review)
“Utterly hilarious, while touching on serious themes, it was a masterclass in media-heavy performance art” Exeunt Magazine on Sex Education Xplorers (S.E.X.) scratch performance.
Our touring team are Mamoru, Finley, Sally & Theo.
Mamoru Iriguchi (he/him) Lead Artist & Performer is a performance artist and theatre designer with a zoology background. His performance work explores liveness and LGBTQIA+: ‘What You See When Your Eyes Are Closed / What You Don’t See When Your Eyes Are Open’ (Wellcome Collection), ‘S.E.X.’ (Made in Scotland, Infallibles Award winner, CATS nominee, Creative Edinburgh Awards shortlister), ‘Eaten’ (CATS nominee, Best Production Children & Young People),‘4D Cinema’ (Autopsy Award winner), ‘World Jam’ (NTS) and ‘At the Ends of the Day’ (Tramway commission). His theatre design includes ‘Mincemeat’ (Cardboard Citizens, Best Design, London Evening Standard Theatre Awards) and ‘Love Song to Lavender Menace’ (The Lyceum). He led performance workshops for University of Glasgow, RCS, CSSD, UCL, Artsadmin and more. Iriguchi.co.uk
“There are few theatre-makers working in Scotland today who have the creative imagination, the gloriously eccentric sense of humour and the brilliant comic delivery of Iriguchi.” (The National)
Sally Charlton (she/her) Facilitator/Performer is a queer performance maker and facilitator based in Glasgow. She is a graduate of the Contemporary Performance Practice BA at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Across both Sally’s solo and participatory work, the self is often the starting place. She’s interested in how an interrogation of the self and the ground between your feet can be a gateway to unlocking a greater understanding of the world and human behavior. Much of her work is made with or for young people and she is passionate about encouraging radical and exciting discourse with young audiences.
Theo Seddon (he/him) Performer is a comedy writer and performer, whose work aims to alter perceptions of taboo topics through storytelling, comedy and camp theatrics. His performances have been commended for their physicality, provocation and striking visual style. Originally from South Yorkshire, Theo moved to Glasgow in 2015 and has been making and performing in theatre ever since. His work is greatly inspired by gender politics and his trans identity. He constantly strives to shift negative perceptions of transgender people through performance and to make trans people laugh.
Finley Dickins (they/them) Technical Stage Manager is a stage manager and technician based in Glasgow, working across Scotland and the UK. Credits include: Technician, Super Special Disability Roadshow; Associate Production Manager, Don’t Make Tea (Birds of Paradise); Technical Operator, Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas (Lyric Hammersmith); Stage Manager, God’s Only Child development; Stage Manager, Queen Jesus mini-season (Queen Jesus Productions); Company Stage Manager, PUBLIC (Ockham’s Razor).
And in rehearsals…
Lou Brodie (she/her) Dramaturg, Engagement Artist & Associate Producer is a creative facilitator and project manager based in Scotland. Through an artistic process of social practice Lou produces artworks and events in collaboration with communities, people and place. She has a BA(Hons) in Contemporary Theatre Practice from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and an MSc in Applied Gender Studies from Strathclyde University. From how to throw bricks workshops, intergenerational dancefloors, a full year asking people to hold her hand for 30 minutes each day and creating festivals and exhibitions, themes of risk, responsibility, intimacy and joy run throughout her work.
Chris Stuart Wilson (he/him) Movement Director & Outside Eye has worked as choreographer & movement director for many theatre companies near and far, including Perth Theatre, Dundee Rep, National Theatre of Scotland and was resident choreographer at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 2010-2018. His work includes performing, events hosting, and facilitating dance for vulnerable and marginalised groups, incl. Culture Club Collective that celebrates the lives of LGBTQ+ elders; and work exploring the therapeutic effects of dance for people living with dementia. Chris’ also performs as alter-ego Jesus L’Oreal, where he plays Jesus re-imagined as a fitness and lifestyle guru of the ‘influencer’ age, continues to gain momentum on the global stage.
With thanks to: Kirsty Biff Nicolson, Annabel Cooper, Dr Clare Duffy, and Michelle McKay.
Organisations who work to improve LGBTQIA+ equality, rights and inclusion in Scotland:
- Equality Network
- LGBT Health & Wellbeing
- LGBT Youth Scotland
- Scottish Trans Alliance
- Time for Inclusive Education (T.I.E.)
Top image: Theo Seddon & Mamoru Iriguchi. Photo: Niall Walker.