A Season of Power, Violence, and Revenge Comes to Citizens Theatre This Autumn
By: A.A. Cristi May. 16, 2017
The Autumn 2017 season will include:
· Oresteia: This Restless House at Citizens Theatre and Edinburgh International Festival, a thrilling story of murder and revenge focussing on three women who are forced to confront the consequences of their acts of violence, presented in association with National Theatre of Scotland;
· Faithful Ruslan: The Story of a Guard Dog, an allegorical tale of the end of the Stalinist regime based on real-life events, a co-production with Belgrade Theatre Coventry;
· The Macbeths, a radically cut adaptation of Shakespeare's play in the Circle Studio exploring the corrosive effect of power, directed by Dominic Hill;
· Rona Munro's Bold Girls, an exhilarating and funny celebration of four Belfast women set in the 1990s, directed by Dominic Hill;
· the return of 2016's critically-acclaimed, sold-out production of Harry Gibson's adaptation of Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting at Citizens Theatre and King's Theatre Edinburgh;
· the acclaimed Actors Touring Company production Living with the Lights On, one man's honest account of living with mental health difficulties;
· Adam Barnard's funny and heart-felt Buckets, presented by the Citizens Young Co.;
· the Scottish premiere of Anders Lustgarten's Lampedusa, the story behind the headlines of the ongoing refugee crisis on a small Italian island;
· National Theatre of Scotland's Adam and Eve, two new productions exploring two extraordinary lives in transition, created by a team of leading Scottish and UK theatre artists including Cora Bissett, Chris Goode and Jo Clifford;
· and two new festive productions: Stuart Paterson's Cinderella, directed by Dominic Hill and an original show for 3-6 year olds One More Sleep 'Til Christmas, directed by Guy Hollands and presented by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Artistic Director, Dominic Hill introduces the new Autumn 2017 season:
"At the Citizens, we believe that plays and stories originally created in the past have the power to shed light on our lives and society, and that great literature can speak to us over the centuries. In particular, the theatre has always been effective at dissecting the violent aftermath of tyranny and the abuse of power.
I'm delighted to be bringing back Zinnie Harris' reworking of Aeschylus' Oresteia, which will also be presented at the 2017 Edinburgh International Festival. Acclaimed at its premiere last year, this is an epic theatre event which takes its audience on a wild, disturbing but always gripping journey that ultimately leads to forgiveness and reconciliation.
Faithful Ruslan: The Story of a Guard Dog is an extraordinary satire on Stalinist Russia seen through the eyes of a guard dog. An international creative team will work to deliver a unique, visceral and very funny show. It's very much a modern 'Animal Farm' for the world of Trump, May and Putin.
Where Faithful Ruslan and Oresteia engage with the world today indirectly but forcefully, Anders Lustgarten's 2015 Lampedusa will bring us right up to date. The play connects an Italian former fisherman who now collects the dead bodies of washed-up migrants to a Chinese-British student in Leeds who is forced to work for debt collectors. Lustgarten's play, receiving its Scottish premiere at the Citizens, is deeply engaging and relevant, and is a moving celebration of humanity.
My first show in the Citizens' Circle Studio, The Macbeths, adapted from Shakespeare's play, will focus on the relationship of the killer couple and its disintegration following an act of murder which at first binds them together and then destroys them.
We'll welcome two touring companies to the Citizens this season: our friends at National Theatre of Scotland with two new groundbreaking productions, Adam and Eve, both timely and theatrical explorations of the complexities and challenges facing trans people today and Actors Touring Company for the first time with their production Living with the Lights On.
And as Brexit and recent events once again bring back to mind past troubles in Northern Ireland, we thought it was a perfect time to revive Bold Girls. Originally written for 7:84 in the 1990s, it launched the career of leading Scottish playwright Rona Munro."
Judith Kilvington, Executive Director added:
"Oresteia: This Restless House perfectly encapsulates Dominic's tenure so far as Artistic Director at the Citizens Theatre and it's perfect that we'll be taking the work to the Edinburgh International Festival as we mark his fifth year as artistic leader of the Citizens. I am delighted to see the return of Trainspotting, a show that appealed to people from all walks of life when we presented it last year, and I'm pleased that it will extend its reach to audiences in Edinburgh this year. The Citizens Theatre is committed to engaging with as inclusive a range of people as possible in the creative life of the theatre and breaking down barriers to engagement with the arts. I am personally very pleased to welcome back the National Theatre of Scotland with work by and for the trans community and Actors Touring Company for the first time with their production, Living with the Lights On, which speaks openly and honestly about living with mental health difficulties."
The Citizens Theatre's Autumn 2017 season is on sale now.
Tickets are available through citz.co.uk and Box Office 0141 429 0022
ORESTEIA: THIS RESTLESS HOUSE
MAIN THEATRE
15 - 17 AUG
31 AUG - 9 SEP
A Citizens Theatre production in association with National Theatre of Scotland
Directed by Dominic Hill
Zinnie Harris' compelling, thrilling and blistering drama about three women who are forced to confront the consequences of their acts of violence returns in 2017 to the Citizens Theatre and Edinburgh International Festival.
A father's horrifying sacrifice of his daughter sets in motion a cycle of bloody revenge. Murder and madness ensue, testing the loyalties of his remaining children and propelling them to the edge of reason. With a powerful cast performing live music on stage, Oresteia is an exhilarating and contemporary take on an ancient Greek drama that has survived two and a half thousand years.
Premiered at the Citizens Theatre in 2016 as a trilogy of plays, and now presented as one epic theatrical event, this trailblazing new work was nominated for Best New Play at the 2016 UK Theatre Awards, and was awarded Best New Play at the 2016 Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland.
Oresteia: This Restless House will also be staged at Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh International Festival from 22 - 27 August. For more information, visit eif.co.uk
Recommended for 16+
ADAM AND EVE
MAIN THEATRE
13 - 16 SEP
A National Theatre of Scotland production
Two productions exploring two extraordinary lives in transition, created by a team of leading Scottish and UK theatre artists including Cora Bissett, Chris Goode and Jo Clifford. A theatrical exploration of the complexities and challenges facing trans people, using an innovative intertwining of personal testimony, storytelling, composition and digital media.
ADAM
13, 15 & 16 SEP
Written by Frances Poet
Conceived for the stage and directed by Cora Bissett
If you are born in a country where being yourself can get you killed, exile is your only choice.
Adam is the remarkable, true story of a young trans man having to make that choice and begin his journey. From Egypt to Scotland, it charts Adam's fight across borders and genders to find a place to call home.
In a world first, Adam features a 120-strong, international world digital choir of trans individuals from across the globe which has been uniquely integrated into this remarkable multimedia production.
Adam has been conceived for the stage by Cora Bissett, who previously brought the real life story of the Glasgow Girls to the Citizens' stage.
Recommended for 14+
EVE
14 - 16 SEP
Written by Jo Clifford and Chris Goode
Directed by Susan Worsfold
Eve tells the story of a child raised as a boy, when she knew all along that was wrong. That child grew up to be one of the 10 outstanding women in Scotland in 2017. What does that do to our understanding of what it is to be human in times of revolutionary change?
With trans rights again under threat, legendary playwright, performer, father and grandmother Jo Clifford tells a story both gentle and passionate, intimate and political, to remind us that the journey towards our real selves is one we all need to make, wherever it leads us.
FAITHFUL RUSLAN: THE STORY OF A GUARD DOG
MAIN THEATRE
20 SEP - 7 OCT
A Citizens Theatre, Belgrade Theatre Coventry and KP Productions Ltd. co-production
A play by Helena Kaut-Howson
Based on the novel by Georgi Vladimov, translated by Michael Glenny
When Josef Stalin dies in 1953, the inhabitants of prison camps across Russia are liberated. Prisoners, guards and guard dogs are all free to go home. Loyal Ruslan follows the Master's final order and abandons his post in search of a new leader. An extraordinary satire on Stalinist Russia seen through the eyes of a guard dog, this is a modern 'Animal Farm' for the world of Trump, May and Putin.
Based on real life events, the novel by Georgi Vladimov and translated to English by Michael Glenny has been adapted for the stage by Polish director Helena Kaut-Howson, whose adventurous, passionate and imaginative productions have led to her being named one of the top directors in the UK. With movement by Marcello Magni, co-founder of theatre company Complicite.
THE MacbethS
CIRCLE STUDIO
27 Sep - 14 Oct
A Citizens Theatre production
Adapted from the play by William Shakespeare
Directed by Dominic Hill
At the heart of Shakespeare's darkest play is a disintegrating marriage. This new adaptation using a radically cut-down version of the text brings the focuses on the relationship between one of the most famous killers in literature and his ambitious wife.
Returning from battle, Macbeth hears a prophesy emboldening him to murder and betray. Compelled by his equally ruthless wife, Macbeth ignores his creeping sense of guilt and hopelessness and attempts to hasten the hand of fate, unwittingly ushering in the downfall of them both.
This production has been specially created to be performed in the intense and exposed atmosphere of our Circle Studio, directed by Dominic Hill.
TRAINSPOTTING
MAIN THEATRE
18 OCT - 11 NOV
A Citizens Theatre production
By Irvine Welsh
Adapted by Harry Gibson
Directed by Gareth Nicholls
It's back! After a sell-out run in 2016, Trainspotting returns to the Citz this autumn by popular demand.
Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie and Spud seek life through the point of a needle in this coarse, intense and hilarious rollercoaster ride through the heroin-hinterlands of Thatcher-era Leith based on Irvine Welsh's cult novel. Gareth Nicholls' production honours both the iconic novel and Danny Boyle's famous film adaptation, while creating a new piece of theatre about urban alienation and young lives under pressure
LIVING WITH THE LIGHTS ON
CIRCLE STUDIO
20 & 21 OCT
An Actors Touring Company production
By Mark Lockyer
Hilarious, touching and utterly bonkers. Actor Mark Lockyer shares his gripping true story of an actor living life on the edge, from his on-stage meltdown as Mercutio at the Royal Shakespeare Company to his fiery relationships and ultimate recovery.
Mark Lockyer trained at RADA. For the last 30 years he's been at the National Theatre, RSC, Old Vic, Young Vic and the Royal Court working with Ken Campbell, Mark Rylance and Sam Mendes.
BUCKETS
CIRCLE STUDIO
1 - 4 NOV
A Citizens Young Co. production
Directed by Neil Packham
The Citizens Young Co. present a bucket full of wry, emotive, funny and heart-felt stories spanning sickness and health, sadness and happiness and pose the universal question: how do we deal with the fact that time always runs out?
The Citizens Young Co. provides opportunities in acting, writing and devising for young people aged 18 - 22.
LAMPEDUSA
CIRCLE STUDIO
8 - 18 NOV
A Citizens Theatre production
By Anders Lustgarten
Directed by Jack Nurse
The Italian island of Lampedusa lies in the Mediterranean between Sicily, Tunisa and Libya. Once, fisherman Stefano made a living here. Now, he uses his fishing boat to collect the bodies of drowned migrants from the sea. In the UK, Chinese-British student Denise is forced to go door to door for a payday loan company to finance her degree, meeting grinding poverty and racist prejudices as well as small acts of charity.
Telling the stories of human kindness behind the headlines, Lampedusa was a sell-out during its premiere run at Soho Theatre in London in 2015, and receives its Scottish premiere at Citizens Theatre this autumn.
CINDERELLA
MAIN THEATRE
28 NOV - 31 DEC
A Citizens Theatre production
By Stuart Paterson
Directed by Dominic Hill
It's nearly time for the ball, and Cinderella is working her fingers to the bone in the cold and dark kitchens thanks to her cruel and greedy step-sisters' nasty tricks. Luckily, Cinderella has the help of some new friends, and a little magic, to help her get to the ball and win the heart of the Prince. But will she realise her heart's true desire lies closer to home?
Dominic Hill brings his trademark theatrical style to this twist on a classic fairytale. Full of silliness, slapstick, live music and fun, this is the perfect choice for families looking for alternative festive entertainment this Christmas.
ONE MORE SLEEP 'TIL CHRISTMAS
CIRCLE STUDIO
7 - 31 DEC
A Royal Conservatoire of Scotland production
Created by Guy Hollands and devised by the company
It's the night before Christmas, and seven excited siblings are tucked up together cosy in bed. But who can sleep when Santa's on his way? Maybe singing some festive carols will help - but only if they don't wake Mum and Dad!
Citizens Associate Director Guy Hollands creates a new fun-filled festive show for 3 - 6 year olds in the intimate setting of our Circle Studio
BOLD GIRLS
MAIN THEATRE
24 JAN - 10 FEB
A Citizens Theatre production
By Rona Munro
Directed by Dominic Hill
Belfast in the early 1990s. Against a backdrop of gunfire and police raids, four women whose lives have been turned upside down by the Troubles, carry on with everyday life. But what starts out as a riotous night out, leads to the spilling of some very sobering truths in the early hours.
Packed with abrasive humour, Bold Girls is a story of love, friendship and betrayal.
Rona Munro, whose trilogy The James Plays - written for the National Theatre of Scotland - was a recent international hit, burst onto the scene in 1991 with this celebration of women's lives in West Belfast.
Tickets for all the above shows are available now through citz.co.uk and Box Office 0141 429 0022
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