From Roswell to Bonnybridge: Turning UFOs into a Tourist Attraction

What does a mysterious spacecraft crash in New Mexico have to do with a small Scottish town? Quite a lot, according to Matt, one of the central characters in BLiP the Musical. In July 1947, reports of unusual wreckage discovered near Roswell, New Mexico, sparked what would become one of the world's most enduring UFO mysteries. Nearly 80 years later, Roswell has transformed its extraterrestrial reputation into a thriving tourist attraction, complete with museums, souvenir shops, UFO tours, and plenty of little green men. Our featured video recreates the legendary 1947 spacecraft crash, bringing a little Hollywood-style excitement to the mystery that put Roswell on the map.

But could the same idea work in Scotland? That's exactly what Matt proposes when he arrives at the Bonnybridge Community Hub in BLiP the Musical. Claiming to be a UFO tourism expert from Roswell, Matt has a business proposition: capitalize on Bonnybridge's reputation for unexplained sightings and turn Scotland's own UFO hotspot into an extraterrestrial tourist destination. The locals aren't entirely convinced. After all, they've already got the Falkirk Wheel, historic castles, and plenty of perfectly respectable reasons for tourists to visit. Do they really need flying saucers and alien souvenirs?

Of course, when a mysterious object suddenly appears outside town, Matt's rather ambitious business proposal begins to sound a little less ridiculous. And that's where the fun begins.BLiP the Musical is a new romantic musical comedy set in Bonnybridge, Scotland, where a small town, a mysterious visitor, and an unexplained object challenge everything the locals think they know.

Some things you just can't explain.

🎭 BLiP the Musical. In development for the 2027 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Licensed and produced by Viewmark.