DOCSLIB.ORG

Sydney Opera House Teacher Resources

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Sydney Opera House Teacher Resources Games Sydney Opera House Teacher Resources Contents Performance Description and Synopsis ................................................................................ 2 Meet the Creatives ................................................................................................................ 3 Interview with Henry Naylor................................................................................................... 5 Pre-Performance Activities .................................................................................................... 8 Drama ............................................................................................................................... 8 English .............................................................................................................................. 8 History ............................................................................................................................... 8 Post-Performance Activities ................................................................................................ 10 Drama ............................................................................................................................. 10 English ............................................................................................................................ 10 History Elective ................................................................................................................ 11 Extra Resource Materials .................................................................................................... 12 1 Games Teacher Resources Performance Description and Synopsis Henry Naylor’s Games minimalist play is set during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The play is based on the true story of Helene Mayor and Gretel Bergmann - two world class athletes and their journeys to represent their country. Watch Gretel Bergmann’s determination to participate despite all odds and watch the Helen Meyer’s journey as she realises that she is fighting for more than a gold medal at the Olympics. The play makes audiences critically think about who and what it is that defines us. It is a politically charged play which resonates with today’s audiences highlighting antisemitism, fascism, segregation, bias, extremism and injustice in the world. 2 Games Teacher Resources Meet the Creatives http://www.holdenstreettheatres.com/index.php/HST-Fringe-Programs/HST-Fringe- Programs/fringe-2019/games-henry-naylor Sophie Shad - "Helene Meyer" Sophie worked professionally as a child, playing Little Cosette in the West End's 'Les Miserables', as well as a principal role in the BBC's Grange Hill. She went on to train at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and has since worked in film, theatre and radio. As the Granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, Sophie has always been passionate about telling meaningful stories from the past, and in recent years she wrote, produced, and acted in 'Kitty's Fortune' - a film that tells the story of Holocaust survivor Kitty Hart-Moxon's (OBE) first night in Auschwitz. The film was selected for BAFTA-qualifying film festivals, and has toured schools across the country with the aim of helping young people to connect with the atrocities from our past. She is a firm believer that we learn from our mistakes by ensuring that the past is never forgotten - and hopes that telling these stories through the means of film and theatre will be a cog in the wheel of working towards a more peaceful future. She is honoured to be playing the role of Helene Mayer in this production. Tessie Orange-Turner - "Gretel Bergmann" Tessie trained at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Theatre includes Masterpieces (Finborough Theatre), All The Little Lights (Nottingham Playhouse and Arcola Theatre), Sket (Park Theatre), Blister (Gate Theatre), Bassett (Soho Theatre), No Border (Theatre503), The Wonderful World of Dissocia, You Can’t Take It With You, Relationshit, Thebans, Twelfth Night and A Chorus of Disapproval (Richard Burton Company). Film includes You, Me and Him. Television includes Casualty. Henry Naylor - Writer Henry Naylor is a multi-award-winning UK playwright, who has been described as ‘one of our best new playwrights’ in The Times, ‘one of our best new playwrights’ in The Evening Standard, and ‘one of the most thought- provoking playwrights of our times,’ in The Spectator. In the past 3½ years his plays have won, or been nominated for 34 international awards, including one of France’s most prestigious awards for the arts, the Globes De Cristal. In 2016, he joined J.K. Rowling in having written one of the 10 Best Plays Of The Year by The Times. He is one of only a handful of writers to have won the Fringe First three times, and has won four of the top five Fringe awards at the Edinburgh Fringe, including the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award. The one he hasn’t won - the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award – he’s been nominated for three times. Three of his plays have had month long runs off- Broadway, and in 2017 alone there were over 300 public performances of his work, over five continents. His work has been translated into eight languages. ‘Naylor seems to have taken the mantle of writers like Athol Fugard: to make theater by telling the stories that matter.’ DC Theatre Scene (USA) 3 Games Teacher Resources Louise Skaaning - Director Louise spends her working life between London and her native Denmark. She first trained at Scenekunst Academiet at the age of 21 specializing in physical theatre. In 2010 Louise took part in a project that toured across Syria, Lebanon and Georgia – the project was in the style of forum theatre. After moving to London in 2011, Louise then furthered her training at the prestigious East 15 Acting School. This led onto many projects, including assistant director of Hiraeth at Soho Theatre in London, as well as her debut play Chlorine in 2014, about a young woman’s journey through psychosis and eventual recovery. More recently she has directed the acclaimed Flew the Coop at the new Diorama theatre. At the Adelaide Fringe in 2018, she began working with Naylor, when she co-directed the Overall Critics’ Circle Winner: Borders. Subsequently she went on to direct the previews and premiere of Games in Prague and in Edinburgh (where the show won the Innovation Award, the Voice award and was nominated for the Amnesty Freedom of Expression Award). At ease with both directing and acting, Louise is currently touring with a play in Denmark called Pudemin: a play aimed at younger audiences about confronting the fear of the unknown. 4 Games Teacher Resources Interview with Henry Naylor How did the concept of the show come about? I’ve always written political plays, about the ‘big issues’ of the day. Partly because I used to be a stand-up comedian, and my set was always about things which were in the news. Before writing Games, I wanted to do a piece attacking the rise of the Far Right, as it seems to be becoming increasingly powerful. Particularly in the UK, after the Brexit vote. And I also wanted to do a piece for my actress friend Avital Lvova. I was on tour with her at a Festival in Cape Verde. Neither of us spoke Portuguese, so when we went for a drink after the show, we only had ourselves for company. And I said to her, ‘right – let’s come up with a new show for you. You’re Jewish, you’re built like an athlete… and I want to do something questioning the far right – let’s do a Google Search and see if anything comes up.’ So I think we searched ‘Jewish female athlete Nazi Olympics’ – and Helene’s tale popped up. It was such an incredible story – we spent about two hours clicking on all the links. And by the end of the evening, we had the framework for a play. Could you describe the process you took to write the play? When I write a play, the bulk of the time is spent researching. I’ll read and watch everything I can find about the subject, and, where possible do interviews with relevant people. This can take a good six months. After a while, I find that I hit a point where I understand the characters so well, that they ‘talk’ to me. I can have discussions and arguments with them in my head! That’s when I start writing – because the characters then have a voice, which I can channel. In the case of Games there was an added complication – in that I was basing the story on real people in history. As a writer you feel a sense of responsibility – of wanting to try and portray the characters as fairly as you can. Often I’m keen to cast the show before I’ve finished writing. I like to tailor the piece according to the actress – so that the words ‘feel true’. It’s also important, as a playwright, to hear your words back. It becomes much easier to edit the work when you hear it performed. It’s easier to spot sections which are flabby and need trimming. So I’ll continue to write and mould the script as we rehearse. The show focuses on the stories of Helene Meyer and Gretel Bergmann. Why do you think it is important to remind audiences about personal stories? I think it’s important, to help audiences connect with the past. One of the problems with the way that history is taught, is that we typically only learn about the decisions of World Leaders and about specific events. It can be quite alienating, and distancing. It’s hard for us to put ourselves in the shoes of the average person in history. Because the impact of policies and events on real people are often ignored. Especially as the horrors of history
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Berlin Olympics: Sports, Anti-Semitism, and Propaganda in Nazi Germany Nathan W
    Student Publications Student Scholarship Spring 2016 The Berlin Olympics: Sports, Anti-Semitism, and Propaganda in Nazi Germany Nathan W. Cody Gettysburg College Follow this and additional works at: https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship Part of the European History Commons, Political History Commons, Social History Commons, and the Sports Studies Commons Share feedback about the accessibility of this item. Cody, Nathan W., "The Berlin Olympics: Sports, Anti-Semitism, and Propaganda in Nazi Germany" (2016). Student Publications. 434. https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship/434 This is the author's version of the work. This publication appears in Gettysburg College's institutional repository by permission of the copyright owner for personal use, not for redistribution. Cupola permanent link: https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship/ 434 This open access student research paper is brought to you by The uC pola: Scholarship at Gettysburg College. It has been accepted for inclusion by an authorized administrator of The uC pola. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Berlin Olympics: Sports, Anti-Semitism, and Propaganda in Nazi Germany Abstract The aN zis utilized the Berlin Olympics of 1936 as anti-Semitic propaganda within their racial ideology. When the Nazis took power in 1933 they immediately sought to coordinate all aspects of German life, including sports. The process of coordination was designed to Aryanize sport by excluding non-Aryans and promoting sport as a means to prepare for military training. The 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin became the ideal platform for Hitler and the Nazis to display the physical superiority of the Aryan race. However, the exclusion of non-Aryans prompted a boycott debate that threatened Berlin’s position as host.
    [Show full text]
  • MERRIE ENGLAND Music by Edward German
    Press Information The Finborough Theatre is now fully air conditioned Summer Season | April to July 2012 Part of the Finborough Theatre's Celebrating British Music Theatre series Citric Acid in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre presents The first professional London production for 52 years MERRIE ENGLAND Music by Edward German. Libretto by Basil Hood. Directed by Alex Sutton. Musical Direction by Eamonn O’ Dwyer. Designed by Philip Lindley. Lighting by Miguel Vicente. Produced by Luke Holbrook. Costume Design by Sophia Anastasiou. Cast: Sammy Andrews. Alexander Beck. Jamie Birkett. Daniel Cane. Luke Courtier. Stephen Darcy. Virge Gilchrist. Tom Giles. Stuart Hickey. Rachel Holbrook. Nichola Jolley. Christopher Killik. Ruth Leavesley. Brendan Matthew. Michael Riseley. Jody Ellen Robinson. Gemma Sandzer. Rhys Saunders. Originally written for the Savoy Theatre in 1902 and a longtime British musical classic, this rediscovery celebrates both the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as well as the 150th anniversary of the birth of composer Edward German. Merrie England plays at the Finborough Theatre for a limited run of nine Sunday and Monday evening performances and Tuesday matinees, opening on Sunday, 27 May 2012 (Press Night: Monday, 28 May 2012 at 7.30pm). Edward German's patriotic pageant deals with love and rivalries at the court of Queen Elizabeth I as the monarch visits the townsfolk of Windsor to celebrate May Day. With a plot that includes such historical personages as Sir Walter Raleigh and the Earl of Essex, murder plots and tales of witchcraft unravel to the background of the May Day revels... An English light opera in the style made famous by Gilbert and Sullivan, Merrie England features a prominent chorus and a range of principal numbers including ballads, patter songs, duets and quintets.
    [Show full text]
  • Xerox University Microfilms 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 75-3121
    INFORMATION TO USERS This material was produced from a microfilm copy of the original document. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the original submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or patterns which may appear on this reproduction. 1.The sign or "target" for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is "Missing Page(s)". If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting thru an image and duplicating adjacent pages to insure you complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a large round black mark, it is an indication that the photographer suspected that the copy may have moved during exposure and thus cause a blurred image. You will find a good image of the page in the adjacent frame. 3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., was part of the material being photographed the photographer followed a definite method in "sectioning" the material. It is customary to begin photoing at the upper left hand corner of a large sheet and to continue photoing from left to right in equal sections with a small overlap. If necessary, sectioning is continued again — beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete. 4. The majority of users indicate that the textual content is of greatest value, however, a somewhat higher quality reproduction could be made from "photographs" if essential to the understanding of the dissertation.
    [Show full text]
  • Blackwater Angel
    pressinformation [ new british plays season 2006 ] finboroughtheatre Eden’s Empire The world premiere of a specially commissioned new play by the Finborough Theatre’s Pearson Playwright-in-Residence James Graham, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Suez Crisis. Directed by Gemma Fairlie. Designed by Alex Marker. Lighting by Matt Peel. Sound by Steve Mayo. Costume Design by Nell Knudsen. Presented by Pyre Productions and the finboroughtheatre. Cast: Daisy Beaumont. Michael Kirk. Hayward Morse. Jamie Newall. Nigel Pegram. Ted Pleasance. Kevin Quarmby. Selva Rasalingam. “I am convinced, more convinced than I have been about anything in all my public life, that we were right, my colleagues and I, in the judgments and decisions we took, and that history will prove it so.” – Anthony Eden Fifty years ago, Britain propelled itself into a disastrous war in the Middle East. Condemned by the UN and accused of falsifying intelligence, the Prime Minister was left fighting for his political life against a Party disillusioned, a public betrayed, and a wily Chancellor with ambitions to take his place….. With the pressure of opposition to his war, Prime Minister Anthony Eden rapidly lost his grip on both the Empire and his health. Unable to control the growing power of both the United States and the Arab world, nor his own failing body, history would mark him as the worst British Prime Minister of the twentieth century. A new, uncompromising political thriller exploring with electrifying theatricality the events of the Suez Crisis, and the tragic story of its flawed hero – Churchill’s golden boy and heir apparent, Anthony Eden.
    [Show full text]
  • FINISHING the PICTURE by Arthur Miller
    Press Information ! ! ! VIBRANT NEW WRITING | UNIQUE REDISCOVERIES June–August Season 2018 The UK premiere of Arthur Miller’s final play FINISHING THE PICTURE by Arthur Miller. Directed by Phil Willmott. Set Design by Isabella Van Braeckel. Costume Design by Penn O’Gara. Lighting Design by Rachel Sampley. Sound Design by Nicola Chang. Presented by Nastazja Somers for The Phil Willmott Company in association with the Finborough Theatre. Cast: Patrick Bailey. Stephen Billington. Jeremy Drakes. Nicky Goldie. Rachel Handshaw. Oliver Le Sueur. Tony Wredden. "She is frightened and resentful and angry – and we’ve got about half an hour to cure all three.” Following his critically acclaimed, up-close reinvention of Arthur Miller’s Incident at Vichy and sell-out revival of The American Clock, multi-award-winning director Phil Willmott brings the intense focus of the intimate Finborough Theatre to bear on Miller’s final work, Finishing The Picture, opening for a four week limited season on Tuesday, 12 June 2018 (Press Nights: Thursday, 14 June 2018 and Friday, 15 June 2018 at 7.30pm.) As the women of today’s Hollywood campaign for dignity and equality, Finishing the Picture is a razor sharp psychological study of an abused, misunderstood female star and the havoc her unpredictability brings to a film set in 1961. Inspired by the filming of The Misfits, the screenplay Miller wrote for his then wife, Marilyn Monroe, and focused on the bemused and exasperated director, screen writer, producer, acting coaches and crew that closely mirror the real life production team of The Misfits – and whilst leading lady Kitty shares many characteristics with Monroe herself, Finishing the Picture – Arthur Miller’s very final play – is a devastating indictment of how a male-dominated movie industry inadvertently destroyed a vulnerable young woman, even as they transformed her into a screen goddess, and how they were unable to deal with the wreckage they caused.
    [Show full text]
  • Foxfinder by Dawn King Directed by Blanche Mcintyre
    Press Information New Writing at the Finborough Theatre Season November 2011 to January 2012 Papatango Theatre Company in partnership with the Finborough Theatre present four world premieres The Papatango Playwriting Festival 2011 Foxfinder by Dawn King Directed by Blanche McIntyre. Designed by James Perkins. Lighting by Gary Bowman. Sound by George Dennis. Cast: Kirsty Besterman. Tom Byam Shaw. Becci Gemmell. Gyuri Sarossy. Papatango have teamed up with one of London's leading new writing venues, the Finborough Theatre to present the winning entries in the 2011 Papatango Playwriting Competition 2011, featuring this year's winning play Foxfinder by Dawn King which will play for a four week limited season from 29 November (Press Night: Thursday, 1 December 2011 at 8.30pm). “You, Foxfinder, must be clean in body and mind. Always remember that the smallest fault in your character could become a crack into which the beast may insinuate himself, like water awaiting the freeze that will smash the stone apart.” William Bloor, a Foxfinder, arrives at Sam and Judith Covey’s farm to investigate a suspected contamination. What follows will change the course of all their lives, forever. Foxfinder is a gripping, unsettling and darkly comic exploration of belief, desire and responsibility. Playwright Dawn King was one of ten writers from across the UK chosen for the BBC Writersroom 10 scheme, a prestigious mentoring and support programme. Through this she is developing a new play with West Yorkshire Playhouse. She is also currently writing My One and Only, an afternoon play for BBC radio 4. Her episode of horror series The Man in Black will broadcast on BBC radio 4 Extra later this year.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Ecovenue Ecovenue Is a Signifi Cant Theatre-Specifi C Environmental Project Being Run by the Theatres Trust
    Introduction to Ecovenue Ecovenue is a signifi cant theatre-specifi c environmental project being run by The Theatres Trust. It aims to improve the environmental performance of forty-eight London theatres and raise awareness of how to make theatres greener. Ecovenue is promoting the sustainability of theatres and the reduction of carbon emissions through the provision of free theatre-specifi c, environmental advice. The project started in 2009 and runs until 2012. Forty-eight venues each undergo an Environmental Audit, and receive a Display Energy Certifi cate (DEC) and Advisory Report. They track their energy use through SMEasure. Each venue receives a second DEC a year after their fi rst to measure progress. Ecovenue includes a ‘DEC Pool’ of performing arts venues across the UK that have obtained DECs. The DEC Pool helps us to evaluate the project and share best practice and information, establish meaningful benchmarks, and provide a better understanding of energy use of theatres. Any theatre can join the DEC Pool. The Trust’s Theatres Magazine provides quarterly reports on the participants and the work of the Ecovenue project. The Theatres Trust Ecovenue project receives fi nancial support from the European Regional Development Fund. Participating Theatres Albany Theatre Etcetera Theatre Old Vic Arcola Finborough Theatre Orange Tree Theatre Arts Theatre Gate Theatre Pleasance Islington artsdepot Greenwich & Lewisham Young Polka Theatre Brockley Jack People’s Theatre Putney Arts Theatre Bush Theatre Greenwich Playhouse Questors Camden People’s
    [Show full text]
  • Blanche Mcintyre Director / Writer
    Blanche McIntyre Director / Writer * Winner - Best Director: TMA 2013 UK Theatre Awards * Winner of the 2011 Critcs' Circle Most Promising Newcomer Award for ACCOLADE and FOXFINDER (both at the Finborough Theatre) * FOXFINDER: Listed in Independent's top 5 picks for 2011 * ACCOLADE: Best Director and Best Production at Off West End Theatre Awards 2011; Listed in the Spectator's Top Ten Plays for 2011; Time Out's Best Fringe Show 2011 National Theatre Studio Director's Course (2010) Winner - Leverhulme Bursary (2009) Agents Giles Smart Assistant Ellie Byrne [email protected] +44 (020 3214 0812 Credits In Development Production Company Notes THE LITTLE FOXES Gate Theatre, Dublin By Lillian Hellman 2020 Theatre Production Company Notes HYMN Almeida / Sky Arts By Lolita Chakrabarti 2021 United Agents | 12-26 Lexington Street London W1F OLE | T +44 (0) 20 3214 0800 | F +44 (0) 20 3214 0801 | E [email protected] Production Company Notes BOTTICELLI IN THE FIRE Hampstead By Jordan Tannahill 2019 BARTHOLOMEW FAIR Shakespeare's Globe - By Ben Jonson 2019 Sam Wanamaker Playhouse TARTUFFE National Theatre By Molière 2019 Adapted by John Donnelly & Director Blanche McIntyre WOMEN IN POWER Nuffield Based on Aristophanes' 2018 ASSEMBLY WOMEN THE WINTER'S TALE Shakespeare's Globe By William Shakespeare 2018 THE WRITER Almeida By Ella Hickson 2018 TITUS ANDRONICUS RSC By William Shakespeare 2017 THE NORMAN CONQUESTS Chichester Festival By Alan Ayckbourn 2017 Theatre THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN RSC: The Swan By William Shakespeare 2016 NOISES
    [Show full text]
  • E M M a H O L L a N D
    E M M A H O L L A N D P R SACHA WARES RETURNS TO THE ALMEIDA THEATRE FOLLOWING LAST YEAR’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF MIKE BARTLETT’S GAME TO DIRECT THE WORLD PREMIERE OF BOY A NEW PLAY BY LEO BUTLER FROM 5 APRIL – 28 MAY 2016 AND A COMPLEMENTARY OUTREACH PROGRAMME FUNDED BY THE ARSENAL FOUNDATION SEES THE ALMEIDA PARTNER WITH ARSENAL IN THE COMMUNITY TO FURTHER ENGAGE WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE LONDON BOROUGH OF ISLINGTON Sacha Wares will be returning to Almeida Theatre to direct the world premiere of Leo Butler’s new play Boy, after her directorial success with the critically acclaimed production, Game, by Mike Bartlett, in 2015. Boy will run at the Almeida Theatre from 5 April until 28 May 2016, with press night on 12 April 2016. Director Sacha Wares is joined by a formidable creative team, including two powerhouse contemporary designers, Miriam Buether for set design (Wild Swans, Sucker Punch, My Child, Generations), who worked with Sacha on Game at the Almeida in 2015, and Ultz for costume (Jerusalem, Hobson’s Choice, Fallout, Pied Pier), who will be collaborating with Miriam, on design, for the very first time. Further creative credits include movement by Leon Baugh, lighting by Jack Knowles and sound by Gareth Fry. A boy At a bus stop. Easily missed. Playwright Leo Butler casts a sharp eye over the city and picks someone for us to follow. Sacha Wares (Director) is associate director at the Young Vic and was previously Associate Director of the Royal Court from 2007-2013.
    [Show full text]
  • Royal Court Freesheet Draft 2.Indd
    Royal Court Theatre 13—17 August 12 noon International Climate The Studio Crisis Plays The performances last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour with no interval Part of You Are Here Please ensure that all mobile phones and electronic devices are switched off, or put on silent. 13 August Ocean Hotpot (<海水火锅>) by Chen Si’an Translated by Jeremy Tiang Directed by Joe Douglas Cast: Jeremy Ang Jones, David K.S. Tse An idyllic island in the midst of boiling oceans. Hot enough to cook a hotpot. One maverick entrepreneur sees a development opportunity and begins to devise the most absurd schemes for environmental protection. 14 August The Abyss by Ghiath Mhithawi Translated by Victoria Lupton and Stefan Tarnowski Directed by Aisha Khan Cast: Amir El-Masry, Alison O’Donnell, Lara Sawalha. ‘I climbed up quietly, their screams became louder and farther away, I reached the top of the chimney and looked inside the Abyss.’ One conversation in a comfortable German home turns to the topic of the climate crisis. 15 August This Liquid Earth: A Eulogy in Verse by Amy Jephta Directed by Milli Bhatia Cast: Rebekah Murrell, Kwami Odoom. 2080. A global climate-refugee crisis looms. The Southernmost tip of Africa is the last place able to sustain human life. As refugees arrive from Europe and the Americas, two people find themselves on opposite ends of the largest mass migration in history. 16 August Climate Crisis Killjoy Quiz by Luanda Casella Directed by Sam Pritchard Performed by Luanda Casella. What does it mean to kill happiness when we talk about the climate crisis? This ironic and interactive quiz explores the power behind fossil fuel lobbying, governmental policies, regulation acts, climate agreements…and the language that shapes them.
    [Show full text]
  • MR GILLIE by James Bridie
    Press Information ! ! VIBRANT NEW WRITING | UNIQUE REDISCOVERIES Spring-Summer Season 2017 | April–July 2017 The first London production in over 60 years MR GILLIE by James Bridie. Directed by Jenny Eastop. Set and Costumes Designed by Anna Yates. Presented by Mercurius in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre. Cast: David Bannerman. Andrew Cazanave Pin. Emma D’Inverno. Ross Dunsmore. Caitlin Fielding. Drew Paterson. Malcolm Rennie. Andy Secombe. "I find most good men occupied in designing and strengthening cages. I do not like cages. I think that the few minutes between the door of the cage and the jaws of the cat make life worth living." In a new production commissioned by the Finborough Theatre and continuing their rediscovery of James Bridie, one of the West End’s most successful dramatists of the 1930s and 1940s, the first London production since its 1950 premiere of Mr Gillie runs at the Finborough Theatre, playing Sunday and Monday evenings and Tuesday matinees from Sunday, 25 June 2017 (Press Night: Monday, 26 June 2017 at 7.30pm). Village headmaster William Gillie is killed by the furniture van coming to take away his possessions, as he is being evicted from his home when his school is closed down. He has spent his entire teaching career fighting the Education Board’s narrow idea of schooling, trying to inspire his pupils to strive for great creative lives. Having lost his school and his home and with none of his pupils quite finding the wings to fly free, his life is examined by a heavenly Procurator and Judge.
    [Show full text]
  • Accolade by Emlyn Williams
    Press Information RediscoveriesUK A three month season of rediscovered plays by writers from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Nicola Seed in association with Neil McPherson for the Finborough Theatre presents Accolade by Emlyn Williams. Directed by Blanche McIntyre. Designed by James Cotterill. Lighting Design by Neill Brinkworth. Sound by Edward Lewis. Cast: Patrick Brennan. Olivia Darnley. Simon Darwen. Alan Francis. Aden Gillett. Emma Jerrold. Patrick Osborne. Graham Seed. Saskia Wickham. The first ever revival of the controversial play by Emlyn Williams. “We all have one thing we are ashamed of. All those out there have. Even the judge has, who’ll be peering at you over his glasses, making you feel like dirt. Only you have committed the sin of being found out.” The first ever revival of the controversial play by Emlyn Williams plays for a limited four week season from Tuesday, 1 February 2011 (Press Nights: Thursday 3 and Friday, 4 February 2011 at 7.30pm) at the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre as part of RediscoveriesUK, a three month season of rediscovered plays by writers from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Will Trenting, famous for his scandalous novels, is about to be knighted – an accolade which will welcome him to the establishment. But Will has been leading a double life and the award turns a spotlight on it. Tales surface of drunken parties, orgies and rough trade, and on the eve of his knighthood Will is accused of a shocking crime. Threatened with blackmail, Will has to decide where his priorities lie. Darkly comic and shocking, Accolade blows the lid off British hypocrisy.
    [Show full text]