Canned Rice Productions Brings VACANCY to the Alexander Bar's Upstairs Theatre

Canned Rice Productions will debut a new romantic tragicomedy, VACANCY, a 50-minute physical theatre piece created by and starring real-life couple Richard Wright-Firth and Candice van Litsenborgh.

VACANCY is the story of the quiet romance between two very shy and lonely people, who have never met. Gavin and Eleanor live on the fourth floor, across the street from a park. Eleanor likes French music, her Ginseng Ficus bonsai tree, "Ginny", and re-reading her favourite books in the park. She lives with a girl she found on Gumtree. Gavin likes Nik-Naks and listening to his neighbour's music through the walls. He lives with his best friend - a beagle named Ian. In a story that explores the power of non-verbal communication, VACANCY explores, through these two characters, the themes loneliness, loss and connection.

Richard Wright-Firth, who plays Gavin, can currently be seen playing Muldoon on the Starz International series, BLACK SAILS. He was also a member of the BBC's famed radio drama company as well as being a lecturer and director at Italia Conti Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, one of the most prestigious drama schools in the world. His theatre credits include JULIUS CAESAR, MACBETH and THEY SHOOT HORSES DON'T THEY? As a director, he has staged UNDERSTUDY BLUES and FROM THE HEART for Canned Rice Productions.

Candice van Litsenborgh, who plays Eleanor, is Fleur Du Cap Theatre Awards and Naledi Theatre Awards nominee for her performance as Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, a role for which she won the 2015 BroadwayWorld South Africa Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Named as one of the top five actresses of 2015 by Die Reviewer, Van Litsenborgh graduated from the University of Cape Town with a BA in Theatre and Performance in 2004. She was most recently seen in SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET and co-produced and adapted the script of FROM THE HEART, which opened in Cape Town this year. Other shows include UNDERSTUDY BLUES, SUNSET BOULEVARD, EVITA, CHESS, SHOW BOAT and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

VACANCY is directed by Claire-Louise Worby, who left her home in Sante Fe, New Mexico, when she was 16 to pursue a classical theatre education in London. After graduating from the Italia Conti Academy of Dramatic Arts, she kicked off her career in Los Angeles, performing in sketch comedy shows such as SO YOU THINK YOU CAN LAUGH? and taking on roles in indie films like CEREAL and LOSSED and on television (REAL COWBOYS: WYATT EARP. Other performance credits include ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, OTHELLO and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

VACANCY is is 80% non-verbal and uses soundscape and body language to tell most of the story. The all important sound design for the show will be handled by Wayne Joshua of Africa Audio Post.

VACANCY runs from 30 - 31 May and from 6 - 11 June in the Alexander Bar's Upstairs Theatre at 21:00. Tickets cost R80-R90 and can be booked online at the Alexander Bar website or purchased at the bar. For telephone bookings and enquiries, call 021 300 1652. Alexander Bar & Café is situated at 76 Strand Street in the Cape Town city centre and can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.

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