THE OVERCOAT Gets Reinvented By Gecko Theater

By: Feb. 11, 2009
Get Access To Every Broadway Story

Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click.




Existing user? Just click login.

Published in 1842, The Overcoat satirises provincial bureaucracy and the pursuit of material wealth. It is one of Gogol's most popular short stories and has had a lasting influence on Russian literature. Now the award-winning company, Gecko, reinvent this classic with their own blend of physicality, humour, cinematic imagery and evocative music to tell the tale of a downbeat draughtsman fixated on a new coat - and, ultimately, the unobtainable girl at the desk next to him.

Inspired by the unruly spirit of Gogol's irreverent masterpiece, Gecko have created an intoxicating world where a man's thoughts spill out into everyday life, blurring reality with grotesque fantasy to present a love story - and a vivid critique of modern consumption

Gecko's The Overcoat magnifies the atmosphere of Gogol's short story; his ‘department' becomes an office playground with floating desk areas and an apparent labyrinth of corridors representing the repetitive, bureaucratic routine. The humdrum is juxtaposed with the magical inner-world of our underdog protagonist Akkaki's extraordinary imagination and determination to win the affection of the girl of his dreams and change his position in the world.

Formed in 2002 Gecko's previous work includes Taylor's Dummies, The Race, and its recent high-octane production The Arab and The Jew, which explored their very personal take on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

A Gecko and Lyric Hammersmith Production in association with the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Created by Gecko/Directed by Amit Lahav/ Performed by: Natalie Ayton, Amit Lahav, Robert Luckay, Dave Price, Francois Testory, Sirena Tocco & Tom Wu

Design by Ti Green/Lighting by James Farncombe/Original music by Dave Price/Sound by Dan Steele/Assistant Director Richard Rusk

Dates 20 March - 11 April
Times Mon - Sat, 7.30pm, matinees: 21 March 2.30pm & 1 April, 1.30pm
Tickets: £10 - £27
Bookings 0871 22 117 22 / www.lyric.co.uk
Tour Dates
Contact Theatre, Manchester, 5, 6 and 7 March 2009
Warwick Arts Centre, 10,11 and 12 March 2009
Lyric Hammersmith, London, 20 March - 11 April 2009
Plymouth Theatre Royal, 23 - 25th April 2009

 



Comments

To post a comment, you must register and login.

Vote Sponsor


Videos