Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company presents
The Families of Lockerbie
By Michael Eaton
Thursday 10 - Saturday 19 June
Auditorium - Tickets £10
Details
Director: Giles Croft
Cast: David Beckford, Robert Benfield, Joan Moon, Jennifer Woodward
This powerful new play from local writer Michael Eaton explores the differing responses of the victims’ families to the release, in August 2009, of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, the man convicted of the bombing of the Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in 1988.
For many, al-Megrahi’s release was a grievous insult. For others, his original conviction was a gross miscarriage of justice. Whether it was a decision they welcomed or decried, al-Megrahi’s release opened up a new chapter in the continuing ordeal of all of those bereaved by the bombing.
This is a dramatic and compelling drama which doesn’t set out to endorse one faction over another, but to document the anguished, often angry, search for justice that persists on all sides.
Michael Eaton is an award-winning screenwriter with an impressive ability for dramatizing controversial stories. His credits include Why Lockerbie?, Shipman and Shoot to Kill.
Pre-show talk Wednesday 16 June at 6pm – Tickets FREE. Call Box Office on 0115 941 9419
How real is real? David Edgar in conversation with Michael Eaton
Reality theatre has been almost as big in the 2000s as reality television. Playwright David Edgar discusses the opportunities, challenges and pitfalls of fact-based drama with Michael Eaton, author of The Families of Lockerbie. In addition to his adaptation of Julian Barnes’s Arthur & George at the Playhouse in April, David Edgar has written plays about the end of east European communism and the 2001 Northern riots.
Michael Eaton is appearing at Lowdham Book Festival on Saturday 19 June, 11.30-12.30, to discuss “chronicling controversy”. The session costs £4/£3 and is taking place at Lowdham Methodist Chapel on Main Street.
Dates & Times
| Thu 10 Jun | Auditorium | 7:45pm |
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| Fri 11 Jun | Auditorium | 7:45pm |
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| Sat 12 Jun | Auditorium | 7:45pm | |||
| Mon 14 Jun | Auditorium | 7:45pm | |||
| Tue 15 Jun | Auditorium | 7:45pm |
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| Wed 16 Jun | Auditorium | 7:45pm | |||
| Thu 17 Jun | Auditorium | 1:30pm | |||
| Thu 17 Jun | Auditorium | 7:45pm | |||
| Fri 18 Jun | Auditorium | 7:45pm | |||
| Sat 19 Jun | Auditorium | 7:45pm |
Reviews
it’s a stunning production
— The British Theatre Guide
Read the full review here: The British Theatre Guide review
All four actors come across with conviction and passion
— Theatreworld Internet Magazine
Read the full review here: Theatreworld Internet Magazine review
The production bravely confronts terrible truths, without a single drop of mawkishness or exploitation
— Guide2Nottingham.com
Read the full review here: Guide2Nottingham.com review
Eaton is meticulous with detail
— LeftLion
Read the full review here: LeftLion review
Your Comments
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from The British Theatre Guide
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"All four actors come across with conviction and passion"
from Theatreworld Internet Magazine
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Saw this show on Thursday - so powerful, really kept me hooked from start to finish - well done!
from Nottingham
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"The final, antiphonal speeches are moving and right"
from The Times
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An excellent play, superbly acted. I hesitated before purchasing a ticket as I was unsure whether it would be something I wanted to see. However, I'm glad I did.

"it's a stunning production"