Archive for May 2010
Friday, May 28th, 2010
Tonight sees the opening of You Need Me’s Certain Dark Things, playing in Bristol Old Vic’s Studio Theatre - 28/ 29 May 2010.
Set against the backdrop of Franco’s religious dictatorship in the 1950s, Certain Dark Things explores adolescent love in the face of oppression. The scars of Franco’s attempt to suppress the Basque culture are still visible today.
This claustrophobic, powerful and intimate family drama will be performed in the round to intensify the feeling of enclosure. Certain Dark Things focuses on the sexual awakening of a young boy - coming to terms with an already awkward rite of passage - in a time of fear and paranoia. Family, politics and religion collide as ordinary struggles are played out in extraordinary circumstances.
Originally developed via the Hightide Festival (2008), and recommended by our very own Tom Morris, Certain Dark Things has already enjoyed a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Festival. Now, Bristol Old Vic is delighted to welcome You Need Me and their fantastic show.
“You Need Me’s Certain Dark Things is the height of storytelling excellence … a powerful and unforgettable story … another triumph for this well respected company … full of heart and soul … an absolute must see.” Fringe Review *****
“Fraught with tension, despair and passion, ‘Certain Dark Things’ left me craving more … Highly atmospheric … enthralling acting and physical theatre. Compelling, gripping, mesmerising. A true masterpiece.” Three Weeks *****
“An intelligent, involving piece of theatre … this is devised theatre at its most successful full of small moving moments that one carries away. “ MusicOMH ****
Tickets are available at the Box Office on 0117 987 7877 or via this link: http://www.bristololdvic.org.uk/836.html
Tickets are £12/10 concs. Starts: 7:30pm.
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Friday, May 28th, 2010
Bristol Old Vic are proud to announce the forth-coming arrival of random. Debbie Tucker Green’s fast-paced, raw and uniquely delivered script will amuse and touch in equal measure as it follows its sell-out performance at the Royal Court with a trip into the South West. Performed by a single actor on a bare stage, playing each member of a family, random is a contemporary play with current themes - but is not just ‘issue theatre’. It’s a human story of family and loss.
Starting off as a regular day in the life of a black family - we are invited into their funny and familiar world and escorted through their nine to five routine. One random act changes everything. With the police knocking at the door - the audience are whisked into an all too common, urban tragedy which will resonate with the fears and concerns of everybody living in modern Britain.
No image or word is wasted - this concise, sharp and engaging script unfolds with surgical precision in less than an hour but leaves you exhausted and satisfied. With fantastic reviews from its previous run, this is a must-see for those who love fresh and relevant theatre.
Two piece a Police cars
park outside our yard
right outside our yard.
For all to see. For all to know.
random is being performed in Bristol old Vic’s Studio Theatre from 8-12 June 2010. Tickets cost £12/10 concs. Running time: 50 mins. Box Office: 0117 987 7877
or follow the link: http://www.bristololdvic.org.uk/766.html
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Friday, May 28th, 2010
With Press Night wrapping up yesterday, the reviews for Far Away are beginning to appear. Bristol Evening Post kicks us off with a glowing 8/10, which suggests that this relevant and thought provoking play ‘is further proof that Bristol’s Old Vic has the courage and ability to be a national draw’.
Referencing fantastic performances from the cast, ’sets (which) are sleek despite the crumbling world’ and a ‘jarringly confrontational’ sound design, the review paints an exciting picture of not just the performance, but the ethos of Bristol Old Vic itself.
The haunting march of volunteers in various, flamboyant head-wear has sparked much of the buzz around Far Away - ‘Their emergence on the stage, and their mental resignation, is easily the play’s most emotive scene.’
Indeed, hats off to Simon Godwin, the cast and everybody involved with Far Away.
Read Jane Mornement’s full review in today’s Bristol Evening Post.
Posted in Bristol Old Vic Productions, Programme | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Some resources to get you to the core of Apples (A Northern Stage & Company of Angels Co-Production), coming to Bristol Old Vic 28-30 Jun.
Adapted for the stage, Richard Milward’s novel exposes the truth behind the teenager. With a sharp, poetic and candid tongue, Apples promises to cut through the stereotype and speak directly to contemporary youth. Dubbed as Skins on stage, expect strong themes and few punches pulled.
To visit the dedicated web page, follow this link: http://applestheplay.co.uk/
To follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/applestheplay
Or join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/search/?post_form_id=6126cd8e172da57c9184e1de7d8d0235&q=apples&init=quick&ref=search_preload#!/group.php?gid=116300675069843&ref=ts
How d’ya like them apples?
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Monday, May 24th, 2010
It takes less than an hour to conjure up the end of the world in Far Away, a play that as one critic opined on its Royal Court premiere in 2000 “exemplifies the modernist principle that the most devastating news is best delivered briefly and in a whisper”. Caryl Churchill’s play offers what initially might appear to be a fairytale, but swiftly turns to nightmare as it becomes apparent that the world she is depicting, in which children visit appalling acts of violence, resembles our own if democracy gave way to totalitarianism. Fast, funny, furious and terrifying, Churchill’s bleak vision was given a remarkable premiere by Stephen Daldry. Here, rising director Simon Godwin shouldn’t be defeated by it. Audiences, however, may be in need of some comfort, so the Old Vic has lined up big names such as Jon Snow, Jonathon Porritt and Max Stafford-Clark to lead post-show talks.
Lyn Gardner
Posted in Inspiring Visitors, Programme | 2 Comments »
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