The Guthrie Presents Kneehigh's TRISTAN & YSEULT, Now thru 3/23

The Guthrie welcomes the triumphant return of Kneehigh, creators of the smash hit adaptation of Brief Encounter, to present their critically acclaimed production of Tristan & Yseult this season. Director Emma Rice and designer Bill Mitchell reunite to create a must-see theatrical experience that reinvents the ancient love story with comedy, live music, grand passion and tender truths in an irresistible night of love.

Tristan & Yseult is presented as part of the Guthrie's WorldStage Series, in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and begins performances tonight, February 13 and continues through March 23, 2014. Single tickets start at $29 and are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

Based on an ancient tale, Tristan & Yseult is the original age-old story of forbidden desires, broken hearts, and the agony of choosing one human being over another. King Mark of Cornwall is at war; he rules with his head not his heart. But he hasn't counted on falling head over heels for his enemy's sister Yseult or the arrival of the enigmatic Tristan.

Kneehigh's Tristan & Yseult was the celebrated production that catapulted the company onto the international scene, entrancing audiences throughout the UK and beyond. The Guardian declared "Halfway through Kneehigh's show, the band were playing, balloons were flying, hearts and minds were connecting and I suddenly realised how rare it is to have this much fun in the theatre...I loved it with a passion." The BBC proclaimed, "It's funny, moving, sexy, and a total delight" "I left the theatre feeling absolutely elated...it embraces you so warmly that you feel as if you have been physically hugged." The London Telegraph raved, calling Tristan & Yseult "A richly inventive triumph from start to finish...Their show is as cheeky as a kid and wild as the wind," while The London Independent called the show "One of the best evenings in theatre you could hope to find...Terrific for those who long for theatre which takes the mind and heart into an altered state."

"Kneehigh is undoubtedly one of the most exciting, most engaging touring companies working today and we are thrilled and honored to welcome them back this season to our community" said Guthrie Director Joe Dowling. "The response to Kneehigh's tremendous production of Brief Encounter a few seasons ago was extraordinary, and we know this particular production - their most celebrated - will be equally embraced by our audience."

Tristan & Yseult features an ensemble cast of eight performers: Carly Bawden (Whitehands), Gareth Charlton (Lovespotter/Brute/Animator), Andrew Durand (Tristan), Craig Johnson (Brangian/Morholt), Giles King (Frocin), Etta Murfitt (Yseult), Róbert Lu?kay (Lovespotter/Brute/Animator), and Stuart Goodwin (King Mark). Live music composed by Stu Barker is performed by Russ Gold, Pat Moran and Elizabeth Westcott, under the musical directorship of Ian Ross.

The creative team includes Carl Grose and Anna Maria Murphy (Writers), Bill Mitchell (Designer), Malcolm Rippeth (Lighting Designer), and Gregory Clarke (Sound Designer), Helen Atkinson (Associate Sound Designer), and Stu Barker (Original Music). The stage managers for Tristan & Yseult are AlEd Thomas and Cynthia Cahill.

Photo by Steve Tanner