Set against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis in the late 1980s, Small Town Boys is a powerful dance-theatre production from Dundee-based company Shaper/Caper. Running at ZOO Southside (Main House) from 1 – 17 August (not 4 & 11), this 90-minute show is part of the Made in Scotland showcase and explores the importance of queer nightlife and community in times of crisis.
Inspired by the real-life experiences of choreographer Thomas Small, the piece follows a young man who leaves his small town in search of joy and belonging in the city. He finds it in the vibrant LGBTQ+ community of the Paradise Nightclub—a sanctuary of music, solidarity, and love. But as the AIDS epidemic deepens and government support remains absent, the community must come together to survive.
Featuring eight dancers and a community cast, Small Town Boys toured Scottish nightclubs in 2024 and won the Creative Arts Award at the Proud Scotland Awards. It now makes its Edinburgh debut, having also received the Extraordinary Award for Dance and Beyond at the 2025 Scottish Dance Awards.
