Award-winning theatremaker Emma Frankland brings No Apologies to Live Theatre next month
A radical, queer mis-remembering of Nirvana’s iconic 1993 MTV Unplugged concert
Two-time Fringe First Award-winning, Besties and Bragi Winner and Total Theatre Award nominated writer and performer Emma Frankland brings her raucous and powerful show No Apologies on tour following a smash hit run at Edinburgh Fringe 2025 and international tour dates in Brazil, Germany and The Balkans (with upcoming dates in Canada and India in 2027).
Directed by critically acclaimed performance artist and Total Theatre Award nominated theatre maker, Harry Clayton-Wright, No Apologies storms into The Old Market, Brighton & Hove, Live Theatre Newcastle, Edinburgh Traverse and Brixton House throughout the second half of 2026.
Delving deep into internet discourse deftly woven with classical mythology, No Apologies radically mis-remembers Nirvana’s iconic 1993 MTV Unplugged concert. Straddling the knife edge of funny and gut-punching, this personal and multi-layered piece, fights back against the pressure to mould ourselves into images that are acceptable to society and the danger that lies when we are not able to live as our full, vibrant selves.
Frankland’s extra special homecoming shows at The Old Market in August will be accompanied by an electric six piece live tribute band, showcasing Nirvana’s most loved songs. In addition, No Apologies on Friday 28 August will feature an exclusive post-show discussion with Everett True (aka Dr Jerry Thackray), who Kurt Cobain once called “the biggest rock star journalist in the world”. Thackray is also known as “the man who invented grunge” and “the journalist who introduced Kurt to Courtney”. It will be an unmissable event for grunge and theatre fans alike.
Bursting with authenticity, wit, rage and nuance, Frankland’s hugely inventive and defiant show playfully explores the complexities of one of the biggest musicians of all time and coming of age in the 90s, leaving you empowered and emboldened for living life authentically with no apologies.
No Apologies is commissioned by Marlborough Productions. Supported by Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, The Old Electric, Northumbria University and Arts Council England.
Live Theatre, Newcastle - 16 & 17 October, 7.30pm | Tickets Here
