"I read that if you fold a thousand origami cranes, you'll be granted a wish. 
At least some people believe that. It's nice to have something to believe in. I've made your first one. I dare you to fold the next"

It’s 2010. Summer has just turned eighteen. She's lucky enough to have the rest of her life to look forward to. She has always dreamed of being a photographer - but it's hard to dream about the future when the world around you is on fire. What is there to look forward to exactly? The solution? Change the world. Duh. By going to a protest increasing student fees, obviously. 

Armed with a brand-new camera, her oldest friend, and her favourite Maya Angelou quote, Summer throws herself into her first ever protest, and has the best day of her life, literally. She knows this one will go down in history. This has got to change things - she can feel it.

And she's right. It changes everything. Just not in the way she expects.

A moving depiction of the personal cost of activism. Cranes, is inspired by Demi’s true story about the suppression of protest, the brutality of the criminal justice system, and the heroes who don't get commemorated by statues. At least not at first. This debut play by writer and performer Demi Wilson-Smith received its first showcase last year at SEEN Festival. Now, with further development work, Cranes returns as a fully-realised show. 

Cranes is directed by Merle Wheldon, a London-based theatre director and winner of the John Fernald Award for Emerging Director 2025 and the 2025 Bitesize Award for Best Director. She was also nominated for Best Director at the 2025/26 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards. Previous work includes Two Little Pigs (Pleasance, Edinburgh), FLUSH (Arcola, Pleasance, Edinburgh) Da Vinci's Laundry (Riverside Studios) and The Watch (The Glitch). 

Cranes is written and performed by Demi Wilson-Smith, an actor-writer born and bred amidst the colour and chaos if South London. As an actor Demi has trained with Identity School of Acting, Middleweek Newton, and Alt-Club with director Toby Clarke. Her work is drawn from the personal and the political; stories that explore society's underbelly, the taboo and questions of power and injustice. 

Presented as part of The Ryan Calais Cameron Season.

With support from Arts Council England.

Previous praise for Cranes

"(Cranes) reminds us of all those who continue through struggle to make our lives better." British Theatre Guide

"It’s a moving depiction of the personal cost of activism that will resonate deeply" BrixtonBuzz

Praise for The Ryan Calais Cameron Season (Last Goal Wins)

★★★★ The Guardian "Justice Ezi is a clear talent", "challenging and funny debut asks important questions about the beautiful game"

★★★★ The Stage "Richly drawn"

★★★★ The Reviews Hub "Topical and intelligent, Ezi's play brings football home to Catford."

★★★★ Broadway World "Rippling with authenticity and packed with humour and poignancy"