Being dragged by her mother back to the family village thousands of miles away is no fun for 13-year-old Nasreen. In the monsoon rain, not being able to text friends, she expects little. But with the mystical power of henna, and the wagging tongues of Aunties, Grandparents and neighbours, she is about to discover some unexpected truths about her mother.
This is an enchanting story of homecoming, adventure, fear and joy for a girl and her mother. Skipping back and forth across time, lives and cultures; four actresses create a bustling, colourful world bursting with music, dance and family celebration.
CREATED BY RASA WITH OXFORDSHIRE THEATRE COMPANY
8pm
From Mrs Faust and Frau Freud to Queen Kong and Mrs Midas, this delightful show slices through history and myth to present it from the wives’ persepective. Laced with dark humour and acerbic wit, this passionate exposé will enthral lovers of Duffy’s poems and newcomers alike.
Linda Marlowe has enjoyed great acclaim for her previous solo work including Berkoff’s Women. Following a West End run she fabulously brings the poet laureate's words to life.
7.30pm
With nothing but a wooden box, amazing sound effects and brilliant physical and vocal manipulation, Gary Shelford creates the farmyard around you - transforming himself into all of the characters in George Orwell’s masterpiece as the animals plot to take over the farm…
CREATED BY GUY MASTERSON PRODUCTIONS
7.30pm
One Actor. One hour. One man’s epic quest to reunite with his family. 'Best of the Fringe’ (Observer, 2009) Ad Infinitum reinvent the timeless Greek myth.
Follow the warrior Odysseus in his relentless attempt to get home. Up against the God Poseidon, enticing nymphs that enslave him and ferocious one-eyed monsters Odysseus won’t give in. But, after twenty year’s away, will everything be as he left it…?
Passionate, highly physical, and poignant storytelling brings Homer’s breathtaking adventure to life. A journey that will ignite the imagination and awaken the senses…
CREATED BY THEATRE AD INFINITUM
7.30pm
“I shanked him. D’ya hear what I am saying? I shanked him”
Revisiting the build up to and repercussions of one fatal moment, Chickenshed’s explosive dance theatre company turns its attention to the proliferation of knife crime amongst young people.
Based on interviews with victims, perpetrators, families, surgeons, police officers and ex-offenders, Crime of the Century uses words, movement and projection alongside a contemporary score of hip-hop and dance music to pack a frightening punch.
CREATED BY CHICKENSHED
7.30pm
The phony, empty-headed mess that is American Idiot.
The Publics new alt-rock musical about Andrew Jackson mistakes a hipster-slacker viewpoint for actual, thoughtful irreverence.
Sipping soda with the bratty, poppy punkers as they prepare for their Broadway debut. Its like Tommy falling down the stairs and running into Hedwig!
La Cage Aux Folles flies in from London, rejuvenated.
Kelsey Grammer is a fervent conservative, recovering cocaine addict, and paranormal
enthusiast who just might run for office. (Politicians have had more baroque baggage.)
But first hes playing gay on Broadway.
The first blush of rock music, reimagined for Broadway.
A mythological rock-and-roll moment becomes a Broadway show.
A theater critic and an art critic debate a play about Mark Rothko.
High-energy performers, led by Tony Shalhoub, keep Lend Me a Tenor from losing its brio.
Broadways been very good to Brooke Adams and Tony Shalhoub. So why not go back?
The Addams Family forgoes sly mordancy in favor of strident mugging.
As Morticia Addams, Bebe Neuwirth is hoping for a perfect fit.
When Marshall Brickman first became famous, in the seventies, he would often say that every time something good happened in his life, he wondered what bad stuff God was saving up for later.
Come Fly Away, Twyla Tharps Sinatra dance musical, waltzes right up to the edge of being Vegas schlock. But the supreme dancers, along with Frank, keep it sublime.
In film, and now theater, Jonathan Demme masters the art of ebullient humanism.