| 
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
RICHMOND'S Orange Tree Theatre has announced its forthcoming
autumn season which begins with the British premiere of Deborah
Brevoort's The Women of Lockerbie (pictured).
It runs from September 2 to October 1, 2005 (previews from August
31).
Set on December 21, 1995, the seventh anniversary of the day
Pan Am flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, it centres on Madeline
Livingston whose 20-year-old son was killed in the crash. In an
effort to come to terms with her loss, she joins with similarly
bereaved women in the search for an answer.
The cast includes Todd Boyce, Emma D'Inverno, Lisa Eichhorn,
John Hudson, Nan Kerr and Colette O'Neil.
This is followed, from October 7 to November 5 (previews from
October 5), by the world premiere of David Lewis' Monkey's
Uncle.
Described as a light comedy bordering on farce, this madcap play
focuses attention on the mayhem caused when our animal instincts
and civilised veneers collide. It's all here - troubled marriages,
casual affairs, professional jealousies and yes - an organ grinder's
monkey.
|
 |
Next, from November 11 to December
10 (previews from November 9), comes the UK premiere of Three
in the Back, Two in the Head from Canadian writer Jason
Sherman. First seen in Toronto in 1994, it tackles the thorny
issue of American military policies.
The death - in suspicious circumstances - of a scientist and
weapons designer who wanted his inventions used for peace, not
only triggers umpteen conspiracy theories but questions personal
and individual loyalties.
The final production, from December 16 to February 11, 2006 (previews
from December 14), is John Vanbrugh's restoration comedy A
Journey to London - a saucy tale of the scandal that
befalls a country bumpkin and his family when they travel to the
big city.
Although Vanbrugh started work on the play in 1704, he died before
it was finished and it wasn't until 1975, when Sam Walters, artistic
director of the Orange Tree, commissioned playwright James Saunders
to add to and modify it, that it was finally completed. Eleven
years later, it was staged at the theatre.
A Journey to London is part of the Orange Tree's tribute
to the late James Saunders, the theatre's resident playwright
for many years, who died in 2004.
His other works include the short plays Games, After Liverpool,
Bye Bye Blues and Double Double which will be presented
as double bills during A Journey to London's run.
|
