REND Productions

Howard Barker Double Bill

Howard Barker

Directed by: Robyn Winfield-Smith

The Twelfth Battle of Isonzo & Judith: A Parting From The Body

Love, truth, sex and war collide in this exhilarating double bill by Howard Barker, “England’s greatest living dramatist” (The Times).

First, the London premiere of Barker’s dark comedy The Twelfth Battle of Isonzo. Isonzo is blind, witty and 100 years old; Tenna is blind, beautiful and just 17. On the day of their wedding a battle of wits commences in which bride and groom discover the other is far more of a match than they had bargained for… Nicholas Le Prevost (The Rivals, Man and Superman) voices Isonzo as power-play abounds in Barker’s fearlessly imaginative drama. This ground-breaking staging, set in a world of mysterious sound and mischievous light, heightens the senses with a 3D audio experience transmitted through over-ear headsets.

Then, Catherine Cusack (Bingo, All That Fall) takes on the title role in a timely revival of Barker’s war masterpiece, Judith: A Parting From The Body. On the night before battle, Judith enters the enemy camp to kill the Assyrian general, Holofernes. Her land is at stake – but what of her heart and mind? In his radical reimagining of a legend, Barker lays bare the complex sacrifices of human beings at war.

See both plays in one thrilling production directed by Robyn Winfield-Smith, whose UK premiere of Barker’s Lot and His God was nominated for multiple Off West End awards.

#ArcolaWinter

Praise for Lot and His God:

★★★★ “Robyn Winfield-Smith’s shrewd, searching production is full of light and dark and boasts a quartet of terrific performances” – The Guardian

★★★★ “A mesmerising performance” – The Telegraph

★★★★ – The Arts Desk, The Good Review, The Public Reviews


Pre-show interview & Q&A with playwright Howard Barker

Wednesday 2nd December 7pm-7.30pm (performance at 8pm)
Playwright Howard Barker “England’s greatest living dramatist” (The Times) will give an exclusive live pre-show interview.


Post-show discussion with cast and director

Monday 7th December
Director Robyn Winfield-Smith and cast members Catherine Cusack, Liam Smith, Kristin Hutchinson and Emily Loomes will be present for an exclusive post-show discussion and audience Q&A.


A day of accessible theatre

Saturday 12th December 2015, 12pm-5.50pm

12 noon – Workshop: Access ALL Areas? – What prevents you from enjoying theatre (as audience and/or maker)?
A practical, Forum Theatre-led FREE workshop given by Vocaleyes Describer Tony McBride exploring what barriers still exist for blind & partially sighted theatre goers and makers. You will have a chance to share your experience, both positive and negative, and consider what needs to change and how, to make theatre even more accessible. This 90 minute workshop will be then followed by an opportunity to attend a Touch Tour and audio-described performance of the Howard Barker double bill.

2pm – Touch tour
The touch tour will give you the opportunity to get onto the Arcola Theatre’s stage and have a guided described tour of the set for both plays. Exploring the set with VocalEyes Describers Tony McBride and Eleanor Margolies plus members of staff from the Arcola theatre, handle some of the props, touch parts of the set and have the set and stage described to you. We hope that some of the members of the cast will join us for the touch tour in character and costume.

3.30pm – Audio Described Performance


Supported by


Monday – Saturday evenings at 8pm
£19 / £14 concessions

Saturday matinees at 3:30pm
£19 / £14 concessions

Opening performances (25-28 November) – All tickets £12
Audio described performance – Sat 12 Dec, 3.30pm

Pay What You Can Tuesdays (tickets in person from 6pm – limited and subject to availability)
Tickets are £10 or less with Arcola Passport

Running time to be confirmed with first preview.
Recommended for ages 16+
In Studio 2, seating is unallocated.