News. Another rape. Child murdered. War somewhere. Few thousand jobs gone. But none of this matters cause its a royal birthday.
A major revival of Sarah Kanes blackly comic reworking of Senecas classical tragedy of monarchy, incest and fatal obsession, which premiered in 1996: Pure theatre. Or rather impure theatre: dirty, alarming, dangerous (Observer)
Sarah Kane was at the forefront of a new wave of writing in the 90s, termed in-yer-face that challenged the form of British Theatre. She burst quickly on to the scene in 1995 with her controversial play Blasted, which was followed by four more plays over the next four years – Phaedras Love, Cleansed, Crave and 4.48 Psychosis. Kane committed suicide in February 1999, aged 28, after battling with mental illness. She described Phaedras Love as my comedy.
“impressive Nicholas Shaw” Evening Standard
“Fascinating revival.. pithy and blackly witty” The Times
“Carr’s atmospheric production… stunningly designed and lit” Time Out
“compelling theatre.. don’t miss” Morning Star
Reduced Circumstances presents
PHAEDRA’S LOVE
By Sarah Kane
Directed by Bronwen Carr
Designer Anna Bliss Scully
Lighting Designer Tom White
Sound Designer Steve Mayo
Cast
Phaedra: Joanna Roth
Hippolytus: Nicholas Shaw
Theseus/Priest/Doctor: Rupert Holliday Evans
Strophe: Emma Keele
Ensemble: Andrew Venning, Briony Morris, Elizabeth Merrick, Gary Merry, Jessica Chamberlain, Kes Gil Martin, Laura Gardiner, Laura Riseborough, Lucinda Westcar, Maisie Turpie, Perry Kate Lambert, Will Cooper
FREE Pre-show workshops prior to Thursday matinees for schools and colleges. For further info and to book, email: info@reducedcircumstances.co.uk
ASSOCIATED EVENTS
Tuesday 4 October, 4pm
FREE rehearsed reading
Frank McGuinness’
Phaedra (after Racine)
Cast includes:Charlotte Lucas (Yes, Prime Minister – Gielgud; Posh – Royal Court), James Sobol Kelly (And darkness descended – Punchdrunk; Merchant of Venice – GSC)
Friday 21 October, 3pm
FREE rehearsed reading
Baal by Bertolt Brecht
Directed by Bronwen Carr
