The Canary and the Crow transfers to Arcola Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
FOLLOWING its success in Edinburgh, award-winning Middle Child’s The Canary and the Crow is transferring to Arcola Theatre (Studio 1), where it will run from Thursday, January 16 to Saturday, February 8, 2020.
A lyrical, semi-autobiographical piece from writer and performer Daniel Ward, The Canary and the Crow uses grime, hip hop and theatre to tell the story of the struggle between a new environment that doesn’t accept you and an old one that has no opportunity.
Featuring original live music by Prez 96, real name Nigel Taylor (co-composer and performer) and James Frewer (co-composer and musical director), The Canary and the Crow won the Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Middle Child are a Hull-based company creating gig theatre that brings people together for a good night out with big ideas. They tell untold stories which capture the electrifying moment when the beat drops, mixing original live music with bold new writing.
Middle Child Artistic Director Paul Smith, who directs the piece, said: “We are incredibly excited to bring The Canary and the Crow to London and the Arcola Theatre for an extended run in January. We’ve already had lots of fun sharing this show with audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and on the Paines Plough Roundabout tour and know that London audiences will really take to it.
“Daniel’s story is an important one that needs to be heard by so many people and Arcola is the perfect space for us to do that.”
Arcola Theatre Artistic Director, Mehmet Ergen said: “I am delighted that The Canary and The Crow is coming to Arcola for its first full-length London run in 2020. This electrifying story of a young man struggling to find his place in a divided society will resonate just as strongly in London as it did in Edinburgh. I am looking forward to sharing it with you next year.”
The Canary and the Crow is suitable for ages 14+.
Tickets: Best £25 (£22 concessions, £22 previews). Standard £22 (£20 concessions, £19 previews). Value £15. Restricted £10. Available online at www.middlechildtheatre.co.uk/.
Times: Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm; Saturday matinees at 2.30pm; Wednesday matinee on February 5 at 2.30pm.
Running time: 70 minutes, no interval.
Relaxed performance: Saturday, February 1 at 2.30pm (touch tour from 1.30pm).