“I want my life back now. Feel human again. Homo erectus.”
When Turner Prize-winning artist Simon Dykes wakes up one morning after a wild night out, he finds his world has changed beyond recognition. His girlfriend, Sarah, has turned into a chimpanzee. And to his horror, so has everyone else. Immediately rushed to hospital, Simon is taken into the care of charismatic radical psychiatrist Zack Busner and treated for being under the psychotic delusion that he’s human.
Great Apes is Will Self’s hilarious, disturbing and dazzlingly original take on man’s place in the evolutionary chain.
This raucous new stage adaptation from Patrick Marmion (The Divided Laing) mixes razor-sharp language with movement and puppetry, journeying into the mystery of what it means to be a human being.
“Planet of the Apes meets Nineteen Eighty-Four … humorous, gripping and provocative.” – The Guardian on Will Self’s novel
“Prodigiously original and very funny” – The Observer on Will Self’s novel
Read Will Self’s blog post on Great Apes →
Are Human Beings Overrated?
Join Will Self, Mark Rappolt and Timandra Harkness in a free panel discussion hosted by Dr Wendy Earle.
Saturday 7 April, 5.30pm – 7pm
Read more information and book your place at this event →
Jeannie’s Theatre Conversations
There will be a free post-show talk with playwright Patrick Marmion with Jeannie, from Arcola’s community.
Saturday 24 March, after 3pm matinee performance
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
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(c) Alex Brenner (info@alexbrenner.co.uk)
Cast
| Donna Berlin | |
| John Cummins | |
| Bryan Dick | |
| Ruth Everett | |
| Ruth Lass | |
| Vivienne Smith | |
| Stephen Ventura |
Text |
Will Self |
Direction |
Oscar Pearce |
|
Adaptation |
Patrick Marmion |
|
Designer |
Sarah Beaton |
|
Lighting Design |
Matt Haskins |
|
Sound Design |
Daniel Balfour |
|
Movement Director |
Jonnie Riordan |
|
Production Manager |
Ben Karakashian |
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Stage Manager |
Catherine Cooper |
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Assistant Stage Manager |
Sophie Macfadyen |
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Costume Supervisor |
Kate Hemstock |
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Puppet Direction |
Tom Espiner |
|
Puppet Maker |
Maia Kirkman-Richards |
|
Chimp Consultant |
Peter Elliott |
| Best | £26 (£22 previews) |
| Standard | £22 (£19 previews) |
| Value | £15 |
| Restricted | £12 |
Standard tickets are £12 or less with Arcola Passport.
Monday - Saturday, 7.30pm
All Saturdays and Wed 18 April, 3pm matinee
Concessions
Pay What You Can Tuesdays – limited allocation of tickets available in person, each Tuesday from 6pm. More info »
Running time: 140 minutes approximately (including interval).
Strong language
Violence
Scenes of a sexual nature
Smoking
Drug use
Flashing/strobe lights
Haze
Loud noises
Suitable for 14+
Press enquiries: Anna Arthur — anna@annaarthurpr.com
