STACKED! Takes on Canterbury Tale Fiasco This Summer at The Marlowe

More than 200 participants from the theatre's creative classes will take to the main stage of the Canterbury venue for Stacked! This story with music explores what happens when Kent is at gridlock and a group of travellers get stuck in The Canterbury Tales! pub and share their stories.

Stacked! is directed by Andy Dawson, The Marlowe's Head of Creative Projects, who said: "Our community production always seeks to understand the past as the key to unlocking new ways ahead.

"This year we threw down the gauntlet to our writers' groups to create a version of The Canterbury Tales told by someone stuck in The Canterbury Tales pub, which is opposite the theatre.

"It is the only musical I know about a traffic jam. It is also the only play I am aware of that contains a Luftwaffe pilot, a camel, a dragon, chicken smugglers and oud players.

"In it, we explore some of the most pressing questions of our time, expressed by clamorous voices, spanning the globe, while remaining firmly rooted in the local - quite literally. Some of our inspiration came from over the road, some from the other side of the world; all of it aims to enrich the experience and extend understanding."

Along with Andy, the writers (all members of Marlowe Playwrights) are SAlly Allen, Primrose Coulter, Rebecca Susiaho, Diana Turner, Paul McNally and Barbara Woodhams. Participants are from The Marlowe Youth Theatre junior, apprentice, senior and dance companies, and The Marlowe Access Company.

All will be supported by The Marlowe's professional team, including set-builders (The Canterbury Tales pub is being recreated on stage), wardrobe and technicians. The musicians are Yiannis Zaronis, Roberto Soto, Mark Camateras and Thanos Ahtipis.

Stacked! is at The Marlowe Theatre at 7pm on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 July. Tickets, which cost £14 (discounts available; booking fee applies), are from the Box Office on 01227 787787 or marlowetheatre.com.

Stacked! is supported by The Marlowe Theatre Development Trust and The Kobler Trust.