Hope In Boxes and A Light In Every Window Debut at The Lowry, 12 January

Hope In Boxes and A Light In Every Window, two poignant and intriguing new plays written by Award winning writer Nicola Schofield, debut at The Lowry on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 January 2012.

This contrasting double bill is presented by Elysion Productions straight from their ‘Best Show’ success with Dev’s Army at the Not Part Of Festival.

Hope In Boxes sees two Grandchildren sorting through their Nan’s letters and photos.  The story unfolds as the audience is transported back to life during the Second World War: social pressures spanning generations are exposed, and secrets of hidden sexuality are revealed.  

A Light In Every Window catapults the audience into a fast and contemporary drama.  The complex relationships of friends and lovers are brought into focus following a tragic event.  This emotionally charged play sees friends reflect on their carefree Manchester party days and their love lives today. The impact of infidelity and the subtlety of sweet revenge make this a thought-provoking new play.

The plays are written by Nicola Schofield, winner of the 2004 Write 2 Bruntwood Competition and nominee for Best New Play at the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards.

Director Gayle Hare, winner of Best Production at the Studio Salford Awards 2010 for Organised Chaos and the creator of Elysion Productions, says: “This is a very strong and exciting double bill.  The writing is brilliant; Nicola has done a wonderful job in bringing the characters to life in these two captivating stories.  Rehearsals are going very well and we’re looking forward to premiering the plays at The Lowry”. 

The cast comprises of five talented actors:- Manchester-born Lee Joseph has appeared in several productions by Organised Chaos and has written and performed in character stand-up as ‘Saint Joseph’.  Lewis Marsh from Salford is a familiar face on stage and is also breaking into feature films following his performances as Leo in Poor Wee Me and Liam Lovelle in The World According to Liam Lovelle, part of the British Film Council’s 2007/8 portfolio of films screened around the world at film festivals.

Phil Minns recently appeared in the Not Part Of Festival playing Al in Eighteen by Mike Heath, and also appeared as Rosemary West's Solicitor Leo Goatley in the controversial ITV Drama Appropriate Adult.  Julie Burrow has many talents, she recently received a Forever Manchester Award for directing multi-arts event Montage Of Misery in this year’s Not Part Of Festival and has performed in Organised Chaos Productions’ Afternoon Tea.

Samantha Vaughan has just finished touring ‘Aladdin’ with Manchester Actors; other theatre credits include Cut it Out (Not Part of Festival), Greatest Sin Of All (Victoria Baths), Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell (Studio Salford), Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs (Queens Theatre, Burslem), Know Your Limits (Home Office Campaign), Twelve Days of Christmas Correspondence (Stoke City Christmas) and Lord of the Flies (RHUL Studio).

Elysion Productions is boldly creating a diverse and intriguing repertoire, from award winning production Dev’s Army (winner of the Forever Manchester Award at the Not Part Of Festival and the Best New Writing Award at the Buxton Fringe Festival, where it was also nominated for Best Production) to short film nights by emerging talent, and epic art installations.

Hope In Boxes and A Light In Every Window at The Studio, The Lowry on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 January 2012 at 8pm.  Tickets priced £12 (concessions £10) are available from  www.thelowry.com or 0843 208 6010. 

Hope In Boxes and A Light In Every Window premieres at The Lowry before embarking on a North West tour taking in Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton; Square Chapel, Halifax and The Lantern Theatre, Liverpool.

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