Stage: Sussex teenage playwright makes stunning debut

The Bula Loop, a darkly comic play written by Tom J Page (a young scriptwriter and actor from Eastbourne) is set to perform at this year’s Brighton Fringe. There will also be previews in Eastbourne at the end of April, and Tom’s script was inspired by his own personal experience of a family living with autism.
Glowingly described by the Eastbourne Herald as “a sharply observed play where domestic bickering masks heartfelt pain”, The Bula Loop is a poignant new comedy where the central character, Adam, dreams of travelling the world on a ‘Bula Loop’ round-the-world ticket, but all goes pear-shaped when his brother gets there first and announces his gap-year plans over dinner.
Tom said: “The play began life last March when I devised a 20-minute A level performance. The feedback was incredible and I was encouraged to develop the script into an hour-long play.”

Tom takes the central role of Adam and is accompanied by professional performers as well as other fellow drama students. It is directed and produced by Tim Marriott, Eastbourne College’s Director of Drama and former stage and television actor best known for seven series of the hit BBC sitcom, The Brittas Empire.
Tom Purser, campaigns manager, National Autistic Society (NAS), said “Representations of autism, particularly when inspired by personal experience, can help challenge myths and change lives by helping people to understand more about this life-long developmental condition.”
The Bula Loop plays at The Printers Playhouse, Eastbourne April 27 – 29, 7.45pm, www.printersplayhouse.co.uk before it heads to the Brighton Fringe, St Andrews Church, Hove, May 5 – 8 at 6pm. Tickets via www.brightonfringe.org or Box Office: 01273 763235