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First ever touring production of Birdsong comes to the New Theatre, Cardiff |
The first touring production of Sebastian Faulks’s best-selling novel, Birdsong comes to the New Theatre, Cardiff from Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 February.Direct from a successful West End run, a dynamic cast shape Faulks’s much-loved wartime epic into an intimate story of love and sacrifice, set against the backdrop of the Western Front. The production arrives after the recent announcement of a historic commemoration ceremony of the start of World War I, to be held on Remembrance Day, 2014. Sebastian Faulks has been invited to sit on the advisory board for this event. In pre-war France, young Englishman Stephen Wraysford embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with his host’s wife, Isabelle Azaire. As civil unrest mounts and war breaks in on the idyll of his former life, Stephen finds he must now lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with unprecedented horror, the war-hardened Stephen clings to the shrinking memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around him. The ensemble cast of 12 includes Arthur Bostrom, Sarah Jayne Dunn, Charlie G Hawkins, Polly Hughes, Poppy Roe, Jonathan Smith, Tim Treloar & Tim Van Eyken. Birdsong was ranked 13th in the 2003 BBC survey The Big Read, finding the nation’s favourite book. The novel was adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff and opened at the Comedy Theatre, London (2010), and more recently was adapted for TV by Abi Morgan for a BBC 1 series (Jan 2012). This vivid and ambitious new production follows the launch of Sebastian Faulks’s latest novel A Possible Life (Sept 2012). He was appointed CBE in 2002 for services to literature. Rachel Wagstaff comments “Birdsong is in an incredibly powerful novel, and through the story of Faulks's fictional characters, we can understand what it might have been like for individuals caught up in this most extraordinary period of world history. Given the approaching centenary and the passing away of Harry Patch, the last surviving British Army Veteran to have fought in the Great War, it seems more important than ever that the courage and sacrifices of those who fought and fell for future generations are not only remembered, but understood. Lest we forget; lest we let suffering on such a scale ever happen again.” Recognising the relevance this story has with the on-going impact of the conflict of war on everyday life the tour is proud to be supporting Help for Heroes. Birdsong is at the New Theatre from Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 February. Tickets are on sale now with prices from £8.00 to £26.00. For further details about the show or to book tickets* visit www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk or call the Box Office on (029) 2087 8889. All tickets subject to a 50p Seating Improvement Contribution and online sales carry a small additional transaction charge Birdsong New Theatre, Cardiff Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 February Evenings 7.30pm; Thursday & Saturday Matinees 2.30pm Tickets: £8.00 - £26.00 Box Office: 029 2087 8889 Book Online: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk |
| New Theatre, Cardiff web site: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk |
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Saturday, February 2, 2013 |
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