This June, The Only Way Out Is In arrives to the Explorers Garden. From established Scottish Independent Theatre Artist Sharron Devine, and Soundscape Designer Ben Scappaticcio, The Only Way Out Is In is a live multi-sensory one on one experience in three acts exploring urgent themes of nature, control, power, risk, balance, trust and choice. We caught up with Sharron to hear more about the experience:
What inspired you to create The Only Way Out is In?
Sharron: In 2015 during Edinburgh Festival Fringe, playwright and Artistic Director, Chris O’Connell of award winning Theatre Absolute in Coventry, came to experience another of my one on one works, I Worried My Heart Wasn’t Big Enough and from that encounter, Chris commissioned me as one of seven Artists to be part of a very beautiful and epic three year long season called Humanistan, inspired by the words of writers including Ben Okri, Francois Matarasso and the late Benjamin Zephaniah:
“What are you prepared to give up for a more equal society?” – Benjamin Zephaniah
As a specialist in micro and site responsive work, their space in Coventry, Shop Front Theatre (an ex fish and chip shop) in an old Shopping Mall in City Arcade was perfect for me to explore the themes of the wider provocation in an intimate and micro setting. The Only Way Out Is In premiered in Coventry during Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 to critical acclaim and sold out.
Sharron Devine in rehearsals for The Only Way Out is In
With just one audience member at a time, how does that change your approach as a performer/creator?
Sharron: Often when traditional theatre work (that I do also make) is being developed or made, the words or the script are the starting point or central element. My multi sensory one on one works always begin with the human being and the space first at my core. Then I build and layer in as I go all the other elements necessary for storytelling, the themes, colours, the sound, the visuals, the design, the atmosphere, smells all bubbling along together simultaneously, not one strand or thread more important than the other, all equal.
My work always focuses on our commonality as human beings rather than our differences. And my learning, research and experimenting with micro and site responsive work began 16 years ago, first in association as an Artist with Danish site specific experts, Cantabile 2 and then on my own being asked to make this kind of work and teach my practice all over the world. I completely fell in love with this way of working.
Why do the mentioned themes – nature, control, power, risk, balance, trust and choice – feel urgent?
Sharron: Working with my lens so tightly in on my audience in this way for sixteen years is a real privilege but also it is my way to check the temperature across humanity, it gives me a direct line to understand how people are feeling in life. I am super aware from my audience that these themes are urgent with many people feeling powerless, out of control, off balance, apathetic, scared and deeply worried about our planet. There is so much division and turmoil going on around us in these times that humanity is in need of some real love and care with people simply needing to be seen. This work offers that care.
Sharron Devine in rehearsals for The Only Way Out is In
What makes this work particularly suited to Pitlochry Festival Theatre and the Explorers Garden?
Sharron: In 2025, Pitlochry Festival Theatre Producer at the time, Deborah Dickinson came to experience my previous site responsive, one on one works, Dud Hopes (Kryptonite) about home and hope, funded by Creative Scotland in Dundee’s Dudhope Park. Afterwards, Deborah kindly invited me to meet with her and spend some time in the Explorers Garden at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
Nature is one of the core themes in The Only Way Out Is In so wandering around the garden and visiting all the spaces there I felt a very strong pull to explore how The Only Way Out Is In could respond to the stunning natural environment around Pitlochry Festival Theatre and how I could adapt and redesign it especially for the Explorers Garden. As soon as I entered the David Douglas Pavilion last year, I knew that was the space I wanted for the work. The Pavilion is made almost entirely out of Douglas Fir, there is a special, magical feeling of protection in that space. My late Father John was a joiner and his favourite material wood, he would have loved it, maybe he was there that day.
David Douglas Pavilion in the Explorers Garden
Why should audiences take a chance and experience a unique theatrical experience like The Only Way Out Is In?
You should always take a chance on experiencing something uniquely different, particularly theatrical, it might just change your life. In a world that can often feel faceless and fake through technology and social media and where the focus is on mass production, endless growth and never ending noise, this work is the absolute opposite of that. It is micro, it gives, is bespoke, genuinely unique, quiet, considered, vulnerable, powerful and where a truthful culture of kindness is nurtured.
Also, another core theme of The Only Way Out Is In is risk, working so closely with my audience over the last sixteen years has taught me to be braver and to take more risks and chances in my work but also in my life. It is a privilege to be allowed to work so intimately with my audience and getting to meet every single audience member who takes the chance and comes along to experience my work has truly changed and shaped me, my life, the way I make work, think about human beings and how I want to exist as an Artist. It has made me a more empathetic person.
I am constantly reminded in the world of my one on one works, where the experience with every single audience member is uniquely different, taking risks and pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones together is where the magic awaits.
Take a risk and experience the world of The Only Way Out Is In during its limited run from 17 – 21, 24 – 28 June 2026.