The internationally acclaimed Wrestling School makes its first visit to the Arcola in the Premiere of a new play by Howard Barker, described by the Times as ‘Britain’s greatest living dramatist’.

On an ordinary day
Comes a man with extraordinary news
And the unknown reveals itself
Destroying an ordinary life…
And a civilization

Muscular and memorable, Barker’s witty, dark compelling tale is an exhilarating and powerful testing of a life.

Intense, compressed, this is a bold and beautiful exploration of a world overturned.

 

 

 

CREATIVE TEAM:

Written by Howard Barker
Directed by Gerrard McArthur
Designed by Thomas Leipzig
Lighting by Ace McCarron

By HOWARD BARKER
Directed by GERRARD MCARTHUR

Presented by The Wrestling School

This  ‘powerful’  production is arresting’   ‘dazzling’  ‘unrelentingly tense’    ‘Duncan Bell’s performance is brilliantly disconcerting: he flirts with doom, smiles inappropriately …outstanding’

The Observer

 

‘George Irving’s performance as the Barber is mesmerising’

What’s on Stage

 

‘a sophisticated exercise in high-concept bloodless carnage.’

Time Out

‘hypnotic…truly unnerving’
The Stage

‘There’s an engagement with language here, and an ambition, which can’t be faulted.’

The Sunday Times

‘leaves the audience with the feeling that searching for knowledge, however painful, is an important journey to take. I suggest the journey to the Arcola is another one.’
What’s on Stage