Preview: A Doll’s House at Alnwick Playhouse

Groundbreaking Feminist Classic

Comes to Alnwick

A Doll’s House

Alnwick Playhouse

Tuesday 7^th October 2014

This Autumn, UK Touring Theatre presents the World Premiere of a brand new English version of A Doll’s House; Henrik Ibsen’s groundbreaking play about marriage, money, and the freedom of women in the late 19^th century. 

Following the success of their highly-acclaimed national tour of Strindberg’s Miss Julie in 2013, this powerful new production of another Scandinavian classic is touring to theatres across the UK from September to November, coming to Alnwick Playhouse on Tuesday 7 October.

Set in 19^th century Norway, A Doll’s Houseexplores the relationship of Torvald and Nora Helmer, whose ‘perfect’ marriage is not what it seems.  The play shocked and divided critics across Europe with its depiction of a woman struggling to survive in a man’s world, and Nora’s rejection of the ‘ideal’ family life.  The opinions of audiences were also divided.  So much so, that invitations to social gatherings at the time would often include the note: “You are requested not to mention Ibsen’s Doll’s House!”.  Now widely regarded as Ibsen’s masterpiece, it has received worldwide critical acclaim and in 2006 it was the world’s most performed play.

Director Michael Woodwood said, “A Doll’s House is a very powerful piece.  Every woman can relate to Nora and the social roles that she plays, as daughter, wife and mother.  Every woman should see this play once in their lifetime.”

UK Touring Theatre are renowned for producing exciting new translations of classic European plays, and are committed to bringing classic theatre to venues large and small across the UK.

Tickets:

Tickets for A Doll’s House are priced at £13 premier, £12 standard, £10 concessions and can be purchased from the Box Office on 01665 510 785 or online at www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk

A Doll’s House

Produced by UK Touring Theatre

Written by Henrik Ibsen and translated by the company

Directed by Michael Woodwood

Lighting Design by Crin Claxton

Cast: Felicity Rhys, Adam Redmayne, Laura-Kate Gordon, Christopher Llewellyn

On The Web:

Website:            www.uktouringtheatre.co.uk

Twitter:               https://twitter.com/UKTouring

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/UKTouringTheatre

On Tour:

2-3 October – Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

4 October – Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot

6 October – The Customs House, South Shields

7 October – Alnwick Playhouse

9 October – Queen’s Hall Theatre, Cranbrook

11 October – Hawthorne Theatre, Welwyn Garden City

13 October – Capstone Theatre, Liverpool

14 Ocober – Neuadd Dwyfor, Pwllheli

15 October – Waterside Arts Centre, Sale

16 October – The Arts Centre, Edge Hill University

17 October – Uppingham Theatre

20 October – Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham

21 October – Loughborough Town Hall

22 October – The Castle, Wellingborough

23 October – Burnley Mechanics, Burnley

28 October – St George’s Theatre, Great Yarmouth

29 October – Bonington Theatre, Nottingham

30 October – Lancaster Grand Theatre

31 October – Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond

3 November – Theatre Royal Margate

4-5 November – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

6 November – Sundial Theatre, Cirencester

7 November – Merlin Theatre, Frome

8 November – Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe

10-11 November – Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton

12 November – Lakeside Theatre, Colchester

13-15 November – The Dugdale Centre, Enfield

Preview: MONEY the game show on NE tour

MONEY the game show

Written and directed by Clare Duffy

Designed by Rhys Jarman Lighting Design by Richard Godin.

Sound Design by Matt Angove. Original Music by David Edwards

An Unlimited Theatre and Bush Theatre co-production

MONEY the game show is a playful journey through the madness of the financial system from Leeds-based Unlimited Theatre and London’s acclaimed new writing venue the Bush Theatre.

Casino and Queenie used to be hedge fund managers. Before the financial crisis of 2008, that is. Now, in an inspired - or desperate - career move, they’ve turned to performance art to share their stories of how to make (and lose) billions from economic downturn.

Playing with £10,000 in real pound coins, you are invited to bet long, short and hedge, as game show hosts Casino and Queenie challenge you to play a series of high stake games that show how the world’s economic system came to the brink of collapse.

Risk takers to the front, risk averse to the back. Welcome to MONEY the game show.

The Bush Theatre teams up with Unlimited Theatre to take a playful and politically sharp look at the roots of the 2008 financial crisis and its ongoing impact in 2014, as well as tackle the bigger questions: What is money? What is it worth? And what happens when we stop believing in it?

MONEY the game show was first developed as part of the Platform 18: New Directions Award, supported by The Arches, Traverse Theatre and National Theatre of Scotland. It was fully produced by Unlimited Theatre and the Bush Theatre, with the full production receiving its world premiere in Feb 2013. The Autumn 2014 tour is presented as part of REACH, a project bringing new theatre to the North East, managed by ARC Stockton and Dep Arts Ltd and funded by Arts Council England.

Clare Duffy is a founding member of Unlimited Theatre, a freelance playwright and has recently completed a PhD by practice in writing for performance at Glasgow University. Her first full length play, Crossings, was commissioned by Sgript Cymru, won a Pearson award and a year-long residency at the West Yorkshire Playhouse where she wrote A Good Man. She has co-written most of Unlimited's work, including Neutrino, Zero Degrees and Drifting, Tangle, The Moon The Moon, Mission to Mars and The Giant and The Bear. Other works include Local Reality Expo (CCA, Unity Theatre / Homotopia, Chapter Arts Centre), The Fall (BBC Radio 4), Black Tonic (The Other Way Works, national touring) and Ana (Stellar Quines and Imago Theatre, Montreal). In 2011 Duffy was awarded the Platform 18: New Directions Award to begin work on MONEY the game show (Traverse, The Arches).

Based in Leeds UK, Unlimited is what happens when the artists Clare Duffy, Jon Spooner and Chris Thorpe make new work together. This work is always co-created with equal partnership in the creative process and in collaboration with an expanding pool of associate artists, scientists, technologists and educators. At its heart is a sincere engagement with its audience both in the process and moment of (co)creation. Unlimited formed in 1997 and is currently the resident company at West Yorkshire Playhouse. Recent shows include The Noise, The Giant & The Bear, Mission To Mars and The Ethics of Progress and recent awards for the company include Sir Arthur Clarke Award for Achievement in Space Education and Outreach 2011; National Charity Awards 2011 (Arts, Culture and Heritage); and WISE Champion Award 2011.

On The Web:

Trailer: http://vimeo.com/93383644

Website: www.unlimited.org.uk

Twitter: www.twitter.com/untheatre

#moneygameshow

Tour Dates:

Bishop Auckland Town Hall – 22 September

Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham – 24 & 25 September

Saltburn Community Theatre – 26 September

Seaton Delaval Arts Centre – 27 September

The Customs House, South Shields – 29 & 30 September

Arts Centre Washington – 2 October

Alnwick Playhouse – 3 October

ARC Stockton Arts Centre – 8 & 9 October

Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre – 10 & 11 October

For booking information see: http://www.unlimited.org.uk/performance-calendar/

Review: Cannon and Ball at Alnwick Playhouse

Cannon and Ball

Alnwick Playhouse 28/8/2014

Alnwick played host to 2 established entertainers who have not lost the knack of delivering a good night.

In a show of 2 halves Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball spun through a set of well crafted family friendly routines.  Jokes and comic routines were freely interdispersed with interaction with the behaviour of the audience. Here lies one of the differences between this show and the modern comics. There was none of the “hello, what’s your name, what do you do – right I’ll now crack a humiliating joke.” There was no over reliance on catchphrases either. Bobby was willing to respond to the whole audience at once without resorting to swearing.  It is clear that there is a strong relationship in this act as they reacted to each other on topics such as table tennis and welding.

The second half was more conversational – similar to the ITV shows “An audience with…” As they told their story and answered written questions from the audience they kept the laughs coming. Cannon and Ball have had to learn the craft the hard way. As they said tonight “After 18 years of doing the clubs, we became overnight successes”. It left one thinking how habits have changed in the last 30 years. No longer are variety acts given much of a chance to shine. Older acts are given limited coverage.  Nor do families sit down together to watch television together on a Saturday evening. The walls of the Playhouse are adorned with six large portraits of comedy heroes such as Eric Morecombe and  Norman Wisdom – perhaps there seems to be fewer legends out there to replace them.

The two experienced entertainers kept the Alnwick crowd in the palm of their hands for the full show. The audience lapped up their timeless humour.  It was a masterclass in merriment.

The tour continues:

Whitby Pavilion Theatre 29^th August

Mill Rythe Holiday Village Hampshire 30^th August

Bridlington Spa 31^st August                     

Skegness Embassy Theatre 3^rd September

This review was written by Stephen Oliverfor Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo