Blythe Duff News

If there had ever been any doubts over the calibre of work for children and young people produced in Scotland, the 2014 CATS shortlists released today, Thursday 8 May 2014, would immediately dispel them. Two productions created specifically with a younger audience in mind - Dragon (Vox Motus, National Theatre of Scotland and the Tianjin People's Art Theatre, China) and Huff (Shona Reppe and Andy Manley, produced by Catherine Wheels Theatre Company) - have together received eight nominations across six categories including the highest accolade, Best Production.

Today, at a press conference in Edinburgh, Director Jonathan Mills revealed the artists, companies and work from around the world which will fill the stages of Edinburgh's annual cultural celebration. Over 2,400 artists from 43 nations have been invited to Edinburgh to perform in the annual showcase of the world's great performing artists.

James I, James II and James III - are a new cycle of history plays by award-winning playwright Rona Munro and directed by Laurie Sansom, Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Scotland, which are to be presented in an unprecedented co-production by the National Theatre of Scotland, Edinburgh International Festival and the National Theatre of Great Britain, during the Edinburgh International Festival in August and at the National Theatre in London from September to October.

Ciara, the award-winning monologue written by acclaimed playwright David Harrower (Blackbird, Knives in Hens), especially for one of Scotland's finest actresses Blythe Duff, is to be revived this Christmas. After capturing audiences' imaginations and winning Fringe Firstand Herald Angel Awards during its sell-out Festival run, the play has been chosen as the swansong for the Traverse's 50th anniversary year.

The Traverse announces its Autumn season today, presenting a canon of world-class theatre to bring its 50th anniversary year to a close. The theatre welcomes back David Harrower's multi-award-winning 2013 Festival hit play, Ciara, directed by Traverse Artistic Director Orla O'Loughlin. The new writing festival Write Here will showcase the work of the Traverse Fifty, who have been on attachment this year.

CIARA, a spellbinding new play by acclaimed playwright David Harrower (Blackbird, Knives in Hens), reunites one of Scotland's greatest writers with one of our finest actresses, Blythe Duff. The two recently collaborated on Good With People, a Traverse Theatre Company production which toured to New York City to five star rave reviews after sell-out performances in Edinburgh in 2012.

The NY premiere of GOOD WITH PEOPLE, written by David Harrower (Blackbird, A Slow Air) and directed by George Perrin (Terre Haute), launches Scotland Week and Brits Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters. GOOD WITH PEOPLE began performances on March 27 for a limited engagement through Sunday, April 21, 2013. Press opening is slated for tonight, April 3.

The NY premiere of GOOD WITH PEOPLE, written by David Harrower (Blackbird, A Slow Air) and directed by George Perrin (Terre Haute), launches Scotland Week and Brits Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters. GOOD WITH PEOPLE will begin performances on March 27 for a limited engagement through Sunday, April 21, 2013. Press opening is slated for April 3.

The critically acclaimed Brits Off Broadway festival, host to the UK's most innovative and provocative theater in New York City, returns for its ninth season of New York premieres of new British theater. Presented by 59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer), Brits Off Broadway launches on Wednesday, March 27 and runs through Sunday, June 30. The single ticket prices range from $25 - $70 ($17.50 - $49 for 59E59 Members). Tickets to Brits Off Broadway are available by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 or online at www.59e59.org. For more information on Brits Off Broadway, visit www.59E59.org or www.britsoffbroadway.com.

The Traverse will bring together two of Scotland's mos famous playwrights, David Greig and David Harrower, in a special double bill as one of the Theatre's flagship shows for its 2012 Festival Programme this August. Presented back to back, David Greig's The Letter of Last Resort and David Harrower's Good With People take us from London to Helensburgh, tracing the paths of personal and political destruction in two highly-charged stories.

The Traverse has announced its 2012 Festival programme. Over four weeks, the Traverse will host nineteen shows and events, with eight world premieres and two Scottish premieres, including a double bill of David Greig's THE LETTER OF LAST RESORT and David Harrower's GOOD WITH PEOPLE.

Acorn Media (British TV) and Athena (Best Documentaries) DVD Release Calendar, July 27: Agatha Christie's Poirot, The Movie Collection, Set 5 (DVD debut) - PBS Mystery!'s most-watched detective returns in three all-new, star-studded movies starring fan-favorite David Suchet. Set includes new adaptation of the iconic Murder on the Orient Express and behind-the scenes program.

British TV on DVD specialist Acorn Media starts off 2010 with several highly-entertaining, star-studded DVDs available now for review/feature consideration, including The Evelyn Waugh Collection with Kristin Scott Thomas in her breakthrough role and Judi Dench in a BAFTA-winning role. DVD debuts of G.B.H., an award-winning British political miniseries starring Michael Palin; Bonekickers, a new BBC action-adventure series from the creators of Life on Mars; Callan, Set 2 featuring the late Edward Woodward in his first major television role; as well as the first 2010 release for our new Best Documentaries on DVD label Athena, with Military Channel favorite Hitler's Bodyguard, a fascinating 13-part documentary on how Hitler survived more than 40 assassination attempts.

National Theatre of Scotland and Donmar Warehouse announce a co-production of Be Near Me, a stage version by Ian McDiarmid. Adapted from the novel by Andrew O'Hagan. Director: John Tiffany; Designer: Peter McKintosh Lighting Designer: Guy Hoare; Sound Designer: Gareth Fry