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Sherman Cymru adapts sharp, witty comedy for its 40th anniversary celebration |
As the centrepiece of Sherman Theatre’s 40th anniversary season, the company has commissioned Cardiff born Coronation Street writer Simon Crowther to adapt Alexander Ostrovsky’s irreverent comedy, It’s A Family Affair… (We’ll Settle It Ourselves), a play about greed, vanity, and cash flow in hard times, from 25 September – 12 October.Originally written in 1849 by prolific Russian playwright Alexander Ostrovsky, It’s A Family Affair… was banned for a number of years, its satirical take on Moscow’s commercial class seen as a gross affront to their good name. Fraudulent bankruptcy? Insider trading? Never! It’s A Family Affair… (We’ll Settle It Ourselves) centres on aging merchant Bolshov. With the creditors at his door, and a daughter in need of a dowry, bankruptcy’s the only game in town. And so, with the help of his crafty clerk, drunken lawyer, and Moscow’s flightiest matchmaker, he resolves to free up some cash. Expect an evening of scheming, plotting, laughter, and even a little love. Sherman Cymru is thrilled to be working with a company of eight talented actors on It’s a Family Affair. Siân Reeves (Cutting It, Sky One’s Mount Pleasant and, Emmerdale) brings her trademark comedy to the outlandish and lavish Ustinya, matchmaker extraordinaire and all round wheeler-dealer, who gets tripped up by her love of sable coats... live ones, of course. Comedy stalwart William Thomas (Gavin and Stacey, Belonging, High Hopes and Twin Town) plays Bolshov, the tyrannical father and exhausted businessman in search of the readies that’ll rid him of demanding daughter Lipochka. Sherman Cymru are excited to introduce Penarth born Rachel Redford, who will be making her debut straight out of RADA as the spoilt, man-hungry brat Lipochka, whose desperation for a husband is matched only by her desire for a wedding night… She certainly doesn’t return the attentions of her father’s besotted Clerk, Lazar, played by Lee Mengo (Skins, Gwaith Catref, Stella). The rest of the cast includes familiar faces Valmai Jones (S4C’s Istanbwl, Hinterland), Ri Richards (Satellite City, High Hopes, Mine All Mine) and we look forward to working with recent graduate from Bristol Old Vic’s Theatre School, Gareth Tempest, originally from Newport. Cardiff’s Simon Crowther writes for stage and screen, most notably for ITV’s Coronation Street. He penned the Cardiff comedy The Get Together, staged at Sherman Cymru in 2012. Writer Simon Crowther said: Ostrovsky's play is simple, robust and clever, full of dreadful characters I couldn't help but recognise. But behind its bankruptcy and blackmail plot is a story about the difficulties of parenthood. He made this both broad and subtle at the same time. In writing a new version I felt like a plastic surgeon doing a facelift. You hope to reinvigorate it just a little, while ensuring its best features remain unscarred. I'm looking forward to working once again with director Róisín McBrinn and a great bunch of actors at the Sherman.” Sherman Cymru’s Associate Director Róisín McBrinn (Before It Rains, Peter Pan, The Get Together) will be joining Simon on the production as Director for It’s A Family Affair…(We’ll Settle It Ourselves) following their last collaboration, The Get Together. Róisín McBrinn says: “It's A Family Affair is a raucous play about credit culture, excess and a girl in need of a man. The comedy explores the need to be seen in a certain light within a vacuous society whose centre is individualist and fickle. Sound familiar?! Simon Crowther's razor sharp take on the witty original is hilarious. We've assembled a brilliant cast of local and national comedy talent as well as giving Rachel Redford her professional debut. I am really looking forward to exploring this crude and desperate world and to collaborating with a brilliant team. Expect lots of door banging, big frocks and a rendition of that classic song!” It’s A Family Affair…(We’ll Settle It Ourselves) will be at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff from 25 September – 12 October, 7.30pm. Tickets are £12-£22, Concessions £2 off, Under 25s Half Price, Monday £10 Tickets (no booking fees). There is a post show talk on 3 October and captioned performance on 5 October. For further information and tickets please contact Sherman Theatre’s Ticket Office on 029 2064 6900 or visit www.shermancymru.co.uk It’s A Family Affair… (We’ll Settle It Ourselves) Starring: Valmai Jones, Lee Mengo, Siân Reeves, Rachel Redford, Ri Richards, Gareth Tempest and William Thomas |
| Sherman Cymru web site: www.shermancymru.co.uk |
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Tuesday, September 10, 2013 |
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