Tragic Carpet uses ensemble visual theatre, movement, object theatre, puppetry, circus, mime, movement, music, projection and light to explore the stories of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. The work is developed iteratively with audiences and partners, is research based and promotes understanding and therefore connection between audiences and the issues and life stories explored. 

The company supports and presents the work of late stage career artists and creatives in collaboration with mid, early and emerging artists. 

Tragic Carpet is an umbrella organisation for the work of its artistic director Freda O’Byrne and her collaborations with Tragic Carpet Associate Artists Sylvia Dow and Kim Edgar and Creatives Pete Searle, Euan Jackson, Derek Gilchrist and Tony Pinchuck and other artists and creative partners.

Projects include performances and installations in traditional and non traditional spaces, places and galleries, and workshops and classes for professionals, audiences and communities, and for both children and/or adults.

★★★★ ‘this beautiful, exquisitely made show, driven by a quiet but fierce sense of humanity and compassion’ Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman on ‘Rendition’ 2019

Edinburgh based Tragic Carpet was formed in 1988 out of Middlesex Polytechnic (BA Hons Performing Arts). The company moved to Scotland in 1996 following a residency working with the children of Mull, Iona, Ulva, Kilchoan and Oban on a promenade performance called FishorMan for what was to become An Tobar. It now has its studio at Edinburgh Palette .