“For the first time in my life, it is my life!”
by Bryony Lavery
Newcastle People’s
Theatre
Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 May 2017
China’s
first emperor is dead and entombed in the fabulous tomb he had decreed for
himself, with its ceiling of jewelled stars.
 |
|
Pictured
(L-R) : Sarah Scott (Pure Joy),
Mairead Scott (Love’s Gift), Emma Jane Richards (Love
Mouth),
Sara Jo
Harrison (More Light), Maya Lant (Fresh Morning),
Eileen Davison (Many Treasures) Photo: Paula Smart
|
Unfortunately
for his concubines, they are immured alive with him in the mausoleum. Used only
to dining royally, the starving women soon come up with an ingenious way of
staying alive.
The playful
wit of Lavery’s script is a celebration of the sisterhood of women, and how
people facing extreme circumstances can empower themselves.
There
is both laughter and horror as the eponymous figure More Light (Sara Jo
Harrison) and her sisters struggle to come to terms with their dilemma.
Co-directors
Sarah McLane and Kate Wilkins comment: “It’s been an exciting and challenging experience.
Everyone involved in the production has created something unique, from wardrobe
to lighting; from set design to the cast themselves, who, as well as performing
the play, provide all of the music and sound.”
Originally
written in 1997 for National Theatre Connections,
this powerful, usual drama explores challenging themes in an often visually
spectacular way.
The
ensemble of twenty-three is made up of adults and young people who use music
and movement alongside Lavery’s lyrical and poignant script to tell the story
of the women finding autonomy in captivity.
More
Light has been only rarely produced since its premiere and we are proud once
again to be bringing our audiences a drama that would otherwise not be seen on
Tyneside.
Tickets:
Tickets are £13.50 (£11 conc), available now from
the People’s Theatre Box Office (0191 265 5020) and
online at peoplestheatre.co.uk
ALSO IN MAY
THE LATE SHOWS (Saturday 20 May)
We’re delighted to be
taking part in The Late Shows again this year, presenting scenes from our recent
production of The Tempest at Newcastle City Library. Entry is free and
the Library is open 7-11pm with a range of events
and activities happening.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE REUNION (Saturday 27 May, 7pm)
It’s
fifty years since the People’s Theatre in Heaton first established a Youth
Theatre. Since then thousands of young people aged 11 to 18 have taken part.
Big names such as comedian Ross Noble and actress Andrea Riseborough have taken
their first steps into the arts and entertainment world through the Young
People’s Theatre.
This
month all former members of YPT are being warmly invited to join a celebration
of this unique and vital youth drama group in the wonderful setting of our new
Foyer Bar.
Tickets
are £7, available now from the People’s Theatre Box Office (0191 265 5020) and online at peoplestheatre.co.uk
HOBSON’S CHOICE (Tuesday 30 May – Saturday 3 June, 7.30pm)
May also sees us bring Harold Brighouse’s classic
northern comedy Hobson’s Choice to our stage. In 1880s Salford,
the prosperous bootmaker Henry Hobson is a widower with three “uppity”
daughters on his hands.
And when his eldest daughter Maggie sets up a rival
business with his best employee, there’s nowt but trouble ahead for the boozy,
cantankerous patriarch.
Tickets:
Tickets are £13.50 (£11 conc), available now from
the People’s Theatre Box Office (0191 265 5020) and
online at peoplestheatre.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment