January 2006

NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE SPRING/SUMMER SEASON 2006

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Giles Croft and Chief Executive Stephanie Sirr, Nottingham Playhouse is proud to present a season of new writing, specially commissioned by the theatre.  The spring/summer season is packed with four world premiere productions, a major revival and UK tour for OLD BIG ‘EAD in THE SPIRIT OF THE MAN, not to mention a host of visiting dance, music, performance, comedy, play readings and special events.  Giles Croft will direct the three world premiere Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company productions in a season inspired by a sense of reflection.

THREE NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE THEATRE COMPANY WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTIONS

A universal anthem to the human spirit, Erich Maria Remarque’s internationally acclaimed novel ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT was first published in 1928 and was made into a film a year later.  Over seventy-five years later the story of the loss of youth and innocence is still a powerful reminder of the human dimension behind enemy lines.  Robin Kingsland, who played Peter Lawford in the Playhouse show RAT PACK CONFIDENTIAL, has created the first ever theatre adaptation of the novel, to be directed by Giles Croft and premiered at the Playhouse from 11 to 25 February.  Designer for this production is Phil Brunner, a winner of the Linbury Biennial Prize for Stage Design 2005.

The Beatles’ seminal album is the inspiration for the world premiere of THE WHITE ALBUM from 18 March to 8 April.  Considered by many to be a revolution on a record player - two discs, four sides, thirty tracks - THE WHITE ALBUM is the soundscape for this new play consisting of thirty scenes, each the length of a song. Giles Croft directs this world premiere production by Nottingham writer Michael Pinchbeck, part love story and part guide to the making of this legendary experimental album which signalled a new direction for the Beatles, caused rifts among band members and inadvertently fuelled the Manson murders of 1969. 

Philippe Petit’s celebrated coup becomes a coup de théâtre when Giles Croft directs the world premiere of TO REACH THE CLOUDS by Nick Drake, adapted from Petit’s book of the same name.  This thrilling dramatisation contains all the meticulous planning, coordination and daring of a bank heist as Philippe Petit prepares for his 1974 walk between the Twin Towers.  Philippe Petit is the world renowned high wire artist who has performed clandestine high wire walks at Notre Dame Cathedral and Sydney Harbour bridge, and—by invitation—more than 80 times around the globe.  Philippe is the recent recipient of the French Chevalier dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres.  Nick Drake is an acclaimed writer, playwright and poet, whose current work includes a screen adaptation of the Raymond Gaitas memoir ROMULUS, MY FATHER starring Eric Bana.  TO REACH THE CLOUDS runs from 17 June to 8 July and is sponsored by Nottingham-based internet specialists Presence.

NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE ON TOUR

The spring/summer season gets off to an electrifying start with TAG…Me vs. The City, a world premiere production by Jonzi D Productions, in association with Nottingham Playhouse and Sadler’s Wells.  TAG…Me vs. The City is a groundbreaking Hip Hop dance theatre production, choreographed by Jonzi D, which delves into the life of a brilliant but obsessive graffiti writer desperate to challenge authority in the only way he knows how – with his spray can. Working with six of the UK’s finest Hip Hop dancers, Jonzi explores the idea of ‘physical calligraphy’: using the dancers as paint.  TAG…Me vs. The City fuses break-dancing, body popping, emceeing, turntablism and graffiti art with pure dance theatre and brings together a heady mix of collaborators that include DJ Pogo, graffiti artist PRIME and video animator Ben Wachenje.  The world premiere production of TAG…Me vs.The City runs at Nottingham Playhouse from 31 January to 4 February, before embarking on a UK tour.

Cloughie makes the ultimate comeback with the celebrated revival of OLD BIG ‘EAD in THE SPIRIT OF THE MAN.  The rousing comedy drama, penned by Stephen Lowe, and directed by Alan Dossor, premiered at the Playhouse in June 2005 to critical and popular acclaim.  With Colin Tarrant reprising his role as Brian Clough, the tour will visit Leicester Haymarket (1 – 11 March); Hall for Cornwall (14 – 18 March); Richmond Theatre (21 – 25 March); Forum Theatre Billingham (27 March – 1 April); Theatre Royal Brighton (4 – 8 April); Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold (11 – 15 April); Sunderland Empire (19 – 22 April); Birmingham Repertory Theatre (25 – 29 April); Hull New Theatre (2 – 6 May); and Nottingham Playhouse from 17 May to 10 June. The UK tour of THE SPIRIT OF THE MAN is sponsored by the University of Nottingham, and the Playhouse run is sponsored by insurance brokers Russell Scanlan.

The Eclipse Theatre Initiative goes from strength to strength with Paulette Randall’s new staging of Anton Chekhov’s THREE SISTERS, relocated to 1940s West Indies by playwright Mustapha Matura.  The Playhouse joins forces with Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich to stage this touring production, which visits Nottingham from 2 to 6 May.  Since its launch in 2002, Eclipse Theatre has garnered critical acclaim for the productions MOON ON A RAINBOW SHAWL, MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN and Roy Williams’ LITTLE SWEET THING.

A GREAT LINE-UP OF EVENTS

Zoë Waterman, recently Assistant Director on 1001 NIGHTS NOW and THE BURIAL AT THEBES, makes her Playhouse directorial debut with Patrick Marber’s acclaimed AFTER MISS JULIE.  Adapted from Strindberg’s MISS JULIE this dramatic take on the class system runs at the Playhouse from 26 to 29 April, in association with Birbeck University of London.

The free OUT LOUD play readings make a welcome return this spring, following their success last season.  Theatre Writing Partnership, in association with Nottingham Playhouse, will present: ROSEMARIE THE COW by Nahrgang & Opgenoorth; adapted for the stage by Andri Beyler; translated by Paul Harman (supported by the Goethe Institute London) (20 February), THE CONFLICT IS OVER by Michael Eaton (24 April) and THE SCARLET BUS by Amanda Whittington (26 June). 

Following the success of the event in 2005, BRIT (Black Regional Initiative in Theatre) will be hosting another FEMMES FANTASTIC all-day event for women of all ages on 26 March (11.30am).  A range of empowering seminars, multicultural food, crèche facilities and workshops for older children are on offer.  The all-day ticket includes the evening performance by Gina Yashere and other UK QUEENS OF COMEDY.

VISITING WORK:

SPRING INTO DANCE

Nottingham Playhouse has developed a strong reputation for its extensive dance and physical theatre programme, and this season is no exception.  The season begins with Vincent Dance Theatre’s BROKEN CHORDS, directed by Charlotte Vincent (28 February), a passionate and subversive look at break-ups and breakdowns.  Following this will be Michael Clark Dance Company’s O (STRAVINSKY PROJECT PART 1), which runs at the Playhouse from 2 to 3 March.  The core of O is Clark’s definitive version of Apollo with Stravinsky’s score, contrasting with a new work.  Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company returns to the Playhouse by popular demand from 4 to 5 March with an exhilarating evening of contemporary flamenco.  Phoenix Dance Theatre makes a welcome return to Nottingham Playhouse from 7 to 8 March with STORIES IN RED, four new dance works by a range of acclaimed choreographers including Javier de Frutos.  As a member of the Dance Touring Partnership, Nottingham Playhouse is proud to present Renegade Theatre’s RUMBLE (FIGHT, DANCE & PASSION) from 10 to 11 March: an electrifying hip hop take on ROMEO AND JULIET.  From 19 to 21 April Aurélia Thierrée will present AURÉLIA’S ORATORIO, a dazzling display of stage illusion created by Victoria Thierrée Chaplin, which draws its inspiration from the worlds of music hall, variety and circus.  Exhilarating choreography and inspirational music marks Richard Alston Dance Company’s returns to the Playhouse.  From 9 to 10 May the company presents a triple bill of dance: THE DEVIL IN THE DETAIL, ABOUT-FACE and VOLUMINA.  And finally, Nottingham Playhouse, as part of the Dance Consortium, will present KNOT by Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker from 12 to 13 May.  The Brazilian company returns to the UK with a new show of lust and longing.

MUSIC & COMEDY

NOISE ENSEMBLE is a new music spectacular blending dynamic percussion score with visual effects and contemporary design in a stage production that will do for drumming what RIVERDANCE did for Irish dancing.  Ten young performers bring to life the majestic score of composer Ethan Lewis Maltby on 14 April.  Following sell-out comedy performances throughout the autumn, Nottingham Playhouse will play host to four comedy events in spring/summer 2006.  Kicking things off on 26 March will be the UK QUEENS OF COMEDY, featuring Gina Yashere plus support.  Hailing from London via Nigeria, Gina has taken the comedy world by storm with her observations on everything from TV programmes to the image of Nigerians.  Following this will be KEN CAMPBELL’S MEANING OF LIFE on 13 April.  In this show Ken continues to search for the holy grail of comedy: the state of mind in which everything is funny.  On 22 April, GRUMPY OLD WOMEN LIVE makes a welcome return to the Playhouse following a sell out run last autumn.  Written by Jenny Eclair and Judith Holder, the show gives men, kids, clothes, and much more, a good tongue lashing.  Bringing the comedy to a close will be Al Murray – The Pub Landlord with his new show AND ANOTHER THING… The Guv’nor is back and he’s more opinionated than ever.  Expect a heady brew of British thinking from the take-no-prisoners host on 14 May.

THE SATURDAY CLUB

The ever-popular SATURDAY CLUB returns with another season of engaging foyer theatre for young children.  Sponsored by Nottingham’s Child’s Play Nursery and Ark Day Nursery, THE SATURDAY CLUB will be presenting 11am and 1pm performances of: THE DREAM TREE (25 February), TALES FROM THE CROW’S NEST (25 March), PINOCCHIO (22 April), THE MAGIC SANDALS (20 May) and SAD SOCKS, HAPPY SOCKS (IN THE STORY HOUSE) (24 June, with additional 3pm performance).

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