They will go touring throughout England, and their talent will captivate audiences from start to finish at Queen’s Theatre on Thursday 6th March.
This high-energy show is set in a recycling centre, where four creative workers give new life to waste and rubbish including propane tanks, umbrellas, balls, toolboxes, horns and bin bags by using percussion, movement and slapstick comedy in hilarious musical sketches.
With active participation and interaction encouraged, TRASH! is set to be a fun night out for audiences, who are invited to sing, dance and replicate rhythms with their bodies. Each night, two spectators are welcomed up to join the colourful characters on stage and become a TRASH! musician for one night only. Audience members may even be inspired to reconsider the use of some of their own household rubbish, as each discarded item is joyfully revived through music and sound by the performers.
Musicality is a key part of TRASH! As well as percussion, the performers make their own instruments from everyday rubbish, drumming on propane tanks or tuning plastic bottles using compressed air, and audiences will recognise popular songs, including Beethoven’s ‘Für Elisa’. Sung acapella versions of pop and rock classics including ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘Stand by Me’ also form part of the evening, in a show that promises to surprise and entertain at every turn.
Founded in 1991, Yllana specialises in comedy and physical theatre. TRASH! is created and co-directed by David Ottone (Yllana), Jony Elias and Gorka Gonzalez (Toompak).
The cast is made up of four talented artists including Bruno Alves, Fran Mark and Gorka Gonzalez and Harold Gazeau hailing from Spain, the France and Uruguay.
TRASH! arrives in the UK following a successful European tour, which concluded in Madrid at the 1000-seater venue Gran Teatro Caixabank Príncipe Pío, where the show enjoyed a sold out run in the last few years.
David Ottone, Artistic Director said, “After a successful European tour, we are thrilled to be taking TRASH! to the heart of London, the Peacock Theatre. TRASH! is an energetic, inventive, humorous, and at times, downright wild stage show that seamlessly blends percussion, dance, acrobatics, live singing, and physical comedy and deals with the musical possibilities of our everyday waste. Come and enjoy the ride!”
Why was it created?
As artists, we are always searching for new ideas to express what we have inside. In this particular case, we wanted to create a show that was funny, dynamic, and percussion-based, while also addressing an important social issue: the overwhelming amount of waste that we generate as a society. Trash emerged from the desire to merge creativity and rhythm with a meaningful message, turning everyday discarded objects into instruments and storytelling tools.
What does it mean to the cast?
The cast was deeply involved in the creative process from the very beginning. This wasn’t just about performing-it was about collaborating, experimenting, and shaping the show together. Because of this, everyone on stage is personally invested in the message and energy we bring to the audience. The passion behind Trash is what makes it so engaging and authentic.
Does it carry a message about recycling and the environment?
Absolutely. Theatre has a unique ability to spark conversations in unconventional ways, and Trash is a perfect example of this approach. By transforming discarded materials into music and comedy, we invite audiences to see waste in a new light-not just as trash, but as something with potential and purpose. The show highlights environmental awareness in a fun, engaging way, proving that even entertainment can inspire reflection and change.
