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Lighthouse Theatre presents Hard Times, touring Wales in autumn 2017. |
Callous businessmen Thomas Gradgrind and Josiah Bounderby have created a logical, heartless world. While these monsters prosper, children endure a cold and loveless life. But their unhappy world is transformed when Sleary’s circuscomes to town.... The circus was frivolous and pointless when assessed by the logic of fact, but in the end offers the only opportunity for the full expression of human experience. Stephen Jeffreys’ adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1854 novel was commissioned for 4 actors by Pocket Theatre Cumbria in 1982 and has gone on to have huge success, being performed by companies small and large around the world. With four actors playing 20 roles as well as acting as narrators, the piece maintains a sense of pace and drama as well as an exciting theatricality. "A fluid adaptation...that is true to Dickens' language and spirit" (New York Times) " The strength of this version... is its preservation of the satiric vitality of Dickens' original, and a real feel for the superb rhetoric of his prose" (Time Out) With strong Welsh connections, the cast includes Sonia Beck, Adrian Metcalfe, Non Haf and Vernon Griffiths. Joe Harmston directs. His track record includes projects for major theatre producers, collaborations with celebrated writers and directors (Pinter, Ayckbourn, etc.) and a nomination for Best Director Evening Standard Award in 2015. An original musical score has been composed by Tic Ashfield to evoke the world of Coketown and its characters, combining elements of brass band, classical, nineteenth century and folk-music. This music is incorporated into the show’s overall soundscape by sound designer, Tony Davies. Nationally recognised set designer, Sean Cavanagh from Abergavenny, with a strong track record for touring theatre productions, has created the set. Hard Times premieres at Pontardawe Arts Centre on 9th November and then tours Wales until 2nd December. Arts Council Wales and Ty Cerdd Grants have assisted in making this tour possible. The rehearsals and production are undertaken in partnership with one of Lighthouse Theatre’s partner producers on the project, Pontardawe Arts Centre. Yn Coketown, mae dau ddyn busnes di-deimlad,Thomas Gradgrind a Josiah Bounderby, wedi creu byd rhesymegol, di-enaid. Tra bod yr angenfilod yma’n ffynu, mae plant yn dioddef bywyd oer a di-gariad. Ond mae eu byd trist yn trawsnewid pan ddaw Syrcas Sleary i’r dref... ‘Lighthouse Theatre creates theatre that is accessible, inspirational and thought-provoking’ Perfformiad yn Saesneg. For more information/Am fwy o wybodaeth Go to/Ewch i www.lighthouse-theatre.co.uk |
| Lighthouse Theatre web site: http://www.lighthouse-theatre.co.uk |
| Danielle Capretti e-mail: |
Thursday, November 2, 2017 |
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