Eco Drama Says Goodbye to a Trailblazing Touring Companion!
After 16 remarkable years on the road, Eco Drama is saying goodbye to our much-loved touring vehicle, affectionately known as the Magic Van.
Since 2009, the Magic Van has played a vital role in helping Eco Drama deliver high-quality, environmentally-focused theatre and creative learning experiences to communities across Scotland and beyond, from city schools and rural villages to the remote reaches of the highlands and islands like Orkney, Shetland, Islay, and everywhere in between.
What made the Magic Van truly magical wasn’t just the journeys it made but how it made them. The van ran entirely on 100% recycled vegetable oil (biodiesel) which is a sustainable fuel that reduced emissions by up to 85%, making it a pioneering part of our commitment to environmentally responsible touring long before the term “net zero” or LEZ zones became common practice.
Over the years, it weathered rain, snow, hail, and sunshine, carrying performers, props, sets, and stories across the length and breadth of the country. It supported the touring of much-loved Eco Drama productions including The Worm, The Forgotten Orchard, The Whirlybird, and Uprooted, connecting audiences with nature, food growing, and climate awareness through powerful storytelling and theatre performances.
You may have seen it pass you by – a van with a green eco monster on a mission to make a difference.
As the van reaches the end of its road, we reflect with gratitude on the thousands of miles it covered, the communities it reached, and the countless memories it helped create. It has been an integral part of our team and a symbol of our values.
Looking to the Future
As we say goodbye to the Magic Van, we’re thrilled to announce a new chapter in our journey: Eco Drama has invested in a brand new 100% electric touring van, continuing our mission to reduce our carbon footprint and champion sustainable theatre practice.
The electric van is currently being fitted and prepared for its debut tour and we can’t wait to introduce it to you very soon.
So here’s to the Magic Van, thank you for the memories, the miles, and the magic!
