Welcome to the Traverse Festival 2012 Programme
World-class drama that dares to bare its soul, look you in the eye and tell you its story
Welcome to the Traverse Theatres' 2012 Festival programme, my first as Artistic Director.
We are proud to place the writer at the heart of this fantastic Festival programme, a celebration of some of the most compelling theatrical voices from the UK and beyond.
Performance is stripped back this year as the words take centre stage and we invite you to join us on a number of extraordinary theatrical journeys.
Highlights include Morning, a dark coming of age story by Simon Stephens, featuring the Lyric Young Company and All That Is Wrong from Belgian agent-provocateurs Ontroerend Goed. We are delighted to welcome Dearbhla Molloy and Bill Paterson in Tom Holloway’s timely and deeply moving And No More Shall We Part, and verbatim theatre gets a twist as the world view of thirty 8-10 year olds forms Monkey Bars, presented by Chris Goode and the Unicorn Theatre.
We are joined once again by the inimitable Daniel Kitson and excited to welcome to the Traverse the award-winning comedian and political activist Mark Thomas. Both come to us with bespoke festival shows, full of wit and beauty.
The Traverse will present an exhilarating double bill by David Greig and David Harrower, featuring Blythe Duff and Belinda Laing, taking us from Helensburgh to Downing Street and back. We are thrilled to be supporting the work of some of Scotland’s hottest emerging talent including Rob Drummond in the terrifying prospect that is Bullet Catch and Kieran Hurley in the vividly political Beats.
There is also brilliant work for a younger audience as Catherine Wheels return to the Traverse Festival programme with two wonderful plays, which will both be presented at the Scottish Book Trust.
I am especially delighted to be working on Dream Plays, our special season of breakfast theatre. We'll present 12 brand new short works by acclaimed writers including Lynda Radley, Nicola McCartney, Douglas Maxwell and celebrated poet and novelist Andrew Greig.
Over nineteen productions and events, 8 world premieres and 2 Scottish premieres, our Festival encompasses work by both established and thrillingly emergent voices. The work you’ll see at here in August will be by turns intimate, provocative and often deeply personal, ultimately united in an urgent exploration of what it means to be living in these times.
The Traverse was founded almost half a century ago to keep the spirit of the Festivals in August alive year-round, and in 2013 we celebrate our fiftieth birthday. I am honoured to join Executive Producer Linda Crooks in leading the Traverse at this pivotal time in our illustrious history and to continue to develop, produce and present world class drama for national and international stages.
I hope you will join us and experience theatre that dares to bare its soul, look you in the eye and tell you its story.
See you there,
Orla O’Loughlin
Artistic Director
Traverse Theatre Company co-production of
Tricycle Theatre’s Production
The Letter of Last Resort
by David Greig
and
Datum Point/Paines Plough’s
Good with People
by David Harrower
5 – 26 August
Preview 4 Aug
From Helensburgh to Downing Street and back again. Two gripping stories trace the paths of personal and political destruction. An exhilarating double bill of short plays from two of Scotland’s greatest playwrights, David Greig and David Harrower.
The Letter of Last Resort
by David Greig
Director Nicolas Kent Cast Simon Chandler and Belinda Lang
London, after the next election.
In Whitehall the newly elected Prime Minister struggles to write a letter to be opened only if Britain is devastated by a Nuclear strike. But, in an unimaginable future where the only safe place on the planet is under the sea in a submarine, what should her orders be?
The Letter of Last Resort was a highlight of the Tricycle Theatre’s acclaimed production THE BOMB – a partial history, staged earlier this year.
Good With People
by David Harrower
Director George Perrin With Blythe Duff
I always felt stupid saying something intelligent here.
Evan returns to Helensburgh, west Scotland; home to the nation’s Nuclear defence programme and once a thriving holiday resort. A place he's been trying to avoid. Haunted by his past and afraid of his future, he finds Helen working at the Seaview Hotel.
From the same place, but worlds apart, their evening fizzes and fuses.
Will there be fallout?
Good With People started life at Òran Mór and Paines Plough’s 2010 season of a Play, a Pie and a Pint.
www.traverse.co.uk @traversetheatre
Preview:
Sat 4 Aug (1pm)
Preview ticket price:
£13/£6
Dates:
Sun 5 – Sun 26 Aug Various
Tickets:
Sun – Thu £18/£13 /£6,
Fri – Sat £20/£15
Traverse Theatre Club:
£3 off on Sun 5 Aug
Running time:
1hour 20mins
Venue:
Traverse 1
“Brilliant…should be compulsory viewing for all our legislators.”
««««The Guardian
(The Letter of Last Resort)
“A tremendous piece of work.”
««««The Guardian
(Good with People)
Audio described performance
Wed 22 Aug 5pm
SCOTTISH PREMIERE
Hampstead Theatre Productions
And No More Shall We Part
by Tom Holloway
5 – 26 August
Preview 30 Jul & 4 Aug
Cast Bill Paterson and Dearbhla Molloy Director James Macdonald
Designer Hannah Clark Lighting Guy Hoare Sound Christopher Shutt
Tom Holloway’s beautiful new play is an uplifting testament to the power of love and the indomitability of the human spirit.
Don and Pam have lived together most of their lives, the kids have grown up and moved on, but now, suddenly, she wants to leave him - or that's how it seems to him at least. And No More Shall We Part looks at what happens to a relationship when death comes into the room. Directed by James Macdonald with Dearbhla Molloy and Bill Paterson.
www.hampsteadtheatre.com
@Hamps_Theatre
Preview:
Mon 30 Jul (7pm), Sat 4 Aug (8pm)
Preview ticket price:
£13/£6
Dates:
Sun 5 – Sun 26 Aug Various
Tickets:
Sun – Thu £18/£13/£6
Fri – Sat £20/£15
Traverse Theatre Club:
£3 off on Sun 5 Aug
Running time:
1hour 20mins
Venue:
Traverse 1
WORLD PREMIERE
LYRIC HAMMERSMITH
Morning
5 – 19 August
Preview 1 & 4 Aug
Writer Simon Stephens
Director Sean Holmes Designer Hyemi Shin Music Michael Czepiel Sound Design Nick Manning
The end of summer. Two friends about to go their separate ways. But they will always share that one moment. A moment changed them forever.
The world premier of a dark new coming of age play by acclaimed playwright Simon Stephens (Pornography, Sea Wall, Punk Rock); Lyric Hammersmith Artistic Director Sean Holmes (the Olivier award-winning Blasted, Saved, Ghost Stories) and performed by the Lyric Young Company.
www.lyric.co.uk
@LyricHammer
"London becomes a kind of hell in Simon Stephens’ extraordinary play…in Sean Holmes superb, beautifully acted production, the city becomes the stage itself."
«««« The Guardian on Pornography
Preview:
Wed 1 Aug (7pm), Sat 4 Aug (5pm)
Preview ticket price:
£13/£6
Dates:
Sun 5 – Sun 19 Aug Various
Tickets:
Sun – Thu £18/£13/£6
Fri – Sat £20/£15
Traverse Theatre Club:
£3 off on Sun 5 Aug
Running time:
1hour 20mins
Supported by Arts Council England and the
London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
Venue:
Traverse 1
THE ARCHES
Bullet Catch
By Rob Drummond
3 – 26 August
Preview 2 Aug
A stunt so dangerous Houdini refused to attempt it, the Bullet Catch has claimed the lives of at least twelve illusionists, assistants and spectators since its conception in 1613. Now, with a little help from his audience, modern day marvel William Wonder presents a unique theatrical magic show featuring storytelling, mind reading, levitation, games of chance and, if you're brave enough to stay for it, the most notorious finale in show business.
www.thearches.co.uk
@RosieArches
"Drummond's conjuring skills are genuine and very impressive but his ability to make a profound philosophical meditation into a hugely entertaining magic show is cleverer still because it is so subtly done." «««« The Herald
"A startlingly deep reflection on the mysterious relationship between performance and despair." «««« The Scotsman
Elsewhere: The Arches presents Cora Bissett's film and live music event, Whatever Gets You Through the Night. Thu 23 August, 10.30pm at Summerhall. See www.thearches.co.uk
Preview:
Thu 2 Aug (10.30am)
Preview ticket price:
£12/£6
Dates:
Fri 3 – Sun 26 Aug Various
Tickets:
Sun – Thu £17/£12/£6
Fri – Sat £19/£14
Traverse Theatre Club:
£3 off on Fri 3 Aug
Running time:
1hour 15mins
Supported by Creative Scotland.
Part of Made in Scotland 2012
www.madeinscotlandshowcase.com
Venue:
Traverse 2
16+
BLINDHORSE
Angels
by Ronan O'Donnell
3 – 26 August
Preview 2 Aug
Director Graeme Maley Cast Iain Robertson
Composer Benni Hemm Hemm Designer Johanna Helga
A suspicious death at the workplace and loner security guard Nick Prentice is hauled in Kafka style for interrogation. Detective Crichton believes he's got Prentice bang to rights. Nick's handwritten seedy wee 'stories' seem to nail him to the crime. Is Prentice complicit in the death of two-bit shoplifter Gary Glover? Will Hollywood's uber-babe Scarlett Johansson rescue our unlikely antihero?
David Lynch meets Rebus in this uproarious, underworld whodunnit, reworking the hardboiled crime thriller for our times.
www.blindhorse.co.uk
@angelstheplay
“Beautifully written.” ««««The Herald
“Poetic genius…brilliantly directed…performance of a lifetime.”
««««The Scotsman
Preview:
Thu 2 Aug (1pm)
Preview ticket price:
£12/£6
Dates:
Fri 3 – Sun 26 Aug Various
Tickets:
Sun – Thu £17/£12/£6
Fri – Sat £19/£14
Traverse Theatre Club:
£3 off on Fri 3 Aug
Running time:
1hour
Originally produced for a Play, a Pie and a Pint at Òran Mór.
Venue:
Traverse 2
WORLD PREMIERE
China Plate presents CAROLINE HORTON
Mess
By Caroline Horton
3 – 26 August
Preview 2 Aug
Created Caroline Horton Director Alex Swift
Composer Seiriol Davies
Cast Caroline Horton, Hannah Boyde, Seiriol Davies
Josephine is putting on a play – Boris and Sistahl help. It's about anorexia. But don't let that put you off. Unflinchingly they confront big issues (and extremely tiny ones). Today they will tackle a particularly thin elephant in the room. Obsession, addiction, and not wanting to get out of bed: a play with songs from 2010 The Stage Best Solo Performer Award winner Caroline Horton (You're Not Like The Other Girls Chrissy).
www.carolinehorton.net
@carolineplays
"Horton's comic timing and facial expressions move us effortlessly from thunderous belly laughs to tears of heartbreak."
«««« The Metro (You're not Like the Other Girls Chrissy)
“Caroline Horton’s one-woman tour de force.”
««««« WhatsOnStage (You're not Like the Other Girls Chrissy)
Preview:
Thu 2 Aug (3.15pm)
Preview ticket price:
£12/£6
Dates:
Fri 3 – Sun 26 Aug Various
Tickets:
Sun – Thu £17/£12/£6
Fri – Sat £19/£14
Traverse Theatre Club:
£3 off on Fri 3 Aug
Running time:
1hour 10mins
Venue:
Traverse 2
13+
Triggered@Warwick. Commissioned by BAC and Parabola Arts Centre. Funded by a Wellcome Trust Arts Award. Supported by Ovalhouse, London
WORLD PREMIERE
Soho Theatre & Nabokov
Blink
By Phil Porter
3 – 26 August
Preview 2 Aug
Director Joe Murphy Cast Harry McEntire and Rosie Wyatt
Designer Hannah Clark
This is the tale of Jonah, Sophie, and a fox called Scruffilitis. It’s a love story. A dysfunctional, voyeuristic and darkly funny love story, but a love story all the same. A new play by Bruntwood Playwriting Prize winner Phil Porter, Blink is an exciting collaboration between Soho Theatre – London’s most vibrant venue for new writing, comedy and cabaret – and internationally acclaimed Fringe First winners nabokov.
www.sohotheatre.com
www.nabokov-online.com
@sohotheatre
@nabokovtheatre
Preview:
Thu 2 Aug (5.45pm)
Preview ticket price:
£12/£6
Dates:
Fri 3 – Sun 26 Aug
Tickets:
Sun – Thu £17/£12/£6
Fri – Sat £19/£14
Traverse Theatre Club:
£3 off on Fri 3 Aug
Running time:
1hour
Venue:
Traverse 2
Supported by Escalator East to Edinburgh
WORLD PREMIERE
Ontroerend Goed, Laika,
Richard Jordan Product ions Ltd AND DRUM THEATRE PLYMOUTH PRESENT
All That Is Wrong
By Alexander Devriendt, Joeri Smet & Koba Ryckewaert
3 – 12 August
Preview 2 Aug
Director Alexander Devriendt Designer Sophie De Somere &
Peter De Bie Dramaturg Joeri Smet, Mieke Versyp & Jo Roets
Cast Koba Ryckewaert, Zach Hatch
In Once and For All…she burned Barbie dolls. In Teenage Riot she saw adults as caged animals. Koba Ryckewaert is now 18 and knows things are wrong in the world. She just needs to get a grip on them. She’s better at writing than talking, so she draws. What can she do to resolve things? Neither everything, nor nothing. And she will face it all alone. She will make choices, only to stick to them.
From the Fringe First award-winning team behind Once and For All We’re Gonna Tell You Who We Are So Shut Up and Listen and Teenage Riot comes the third part in their trilogy about growing up.
www.ontroerendgoed.be
www.laika.be
@Allthatiswrong
“This Belgium-based theatrical powerhouse is exploring new and considerably inventive ways of engaging with audiences.” The Guardian
“Ontroerend Goed’s shows are not for the faint-hearted. The Belgian company exists to push boundaries; theatrical, moral, ethical.”
Daily Telegraph
Preview:
Thu 2 Aug (8pm)
Preview ticket price:
£12/£6
Dates:
Fri 3 – Sun 12 Aug Various
Tickets:
Sun – Thu £17/£12/£6
Fri – Sat £19/£14
Traverse Theatre Club:
£3 off on Fri 3 Aug
Running time:
1hour 5mins
Venue:
Traverse 2
Supported by The Flemish Community, The Province of
East-Flanders & The City of Ghent
WORLD PREMIERE
Phil McIntyre Entertainments
Mark Thomas: Bravo Figaro!
By Mark Thomas
5 – 26 August
Preview 3 & 4 Aug
Director Hamish Pirie
How to put on a opera in a bungalow in Bournemouth.
There aren’t many south London builders who would sing along to La Traviata while slating a roof. This man was a brutal Methodist-Thatcherite. To support his family he worked more hours in more days than anyone else he knew. His home was his kingdom, and he ruled it with violence. The fact this man was Mark Thomas’ dad is a fitting contradiction. So too is it that these men unexpectedly found a way to communicate through Opera. Mark turns the focus of his epic style of storytelling to his toughest target yet - himself. We fly through a world of hypocrisy, sledge hammers and arias in this funny and heart breaking new piece.