DUST comes to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a solo drama inspired by the true stories of survivors of the 1973 Lofthouse Colliery disaster.
Written and directed by Charlaina Thompson and performed by Craig McArdle, the production follows an elderly man reflecting on his life from a hospital bed. As fragments of memory surface, the narrative shifts between past and present, tracing his experiences as a miner, soldier and working-class Yorkshireman.
At its core, the play explores the lasting impact of one of Northern England’s most devastating mining tragedies, examining how lives are shaped by labour, community and hardship. Structured through recollection and guided by a personal moral code, the piece considers how identity is formed through generational experience.
The production forms the first part of a planned trilogy, focusing on working-class stories and the legacy of industrial life, balancing moments of brutality with reflection and humanity.
DUST runs at Pleasance Courtyard from 05 – 30 August at 14:10. Tickets are on sale hereÂ
