NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE & SECONDARY SCHOOLS

FRI 9 SEPT 2016 – SAT 4 MAR 2017

BOX OFFICE 0115 941 9419NOTTINGHAMPLAYHOUSE.CO.UK

FRI 9 – SAT 24 SEP 2016Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company and West Yorkshire Playhouse present

SLEUTHBy Anthony Shaffer Directed by Giles CroftThe ultimate game of cat and mouse, Sleuth is a Tony award‑winning thriller by Anthony Shaffer where nothing is quite as it seems.

Andrew Wyke is a rich and successful mystery writer whose obsession with playing games is in danger of losing him everything. Luring his wife’s lover Milo to his country pile, Andrew persuades him to take part in a specially created challenge. Before long their power struggle descends into a sinister and deadly duel of wits, where nothing is off‑limits.

“Clever, intricate... It is good, neat, clean and bloody fun.” The New York Times (1970 Broadway production)Evenings 7:45pm Matinees Sat 17 2:30pm, Thu 22 Sep 1:30pm

FRI 30 SEP – SAT 15 OCTNottingham Playhouse Theatre Company and New Perspectives present

DARKNESS, DARKNESSAdapted for the stage by John HarveyDirected by Jack McNamaraBEST SUITED FOR GCSE (AGE RECOMMENDATION 12+)Charlie Resnick, one the most famous detectives in British crime fiction, makes his stage debut in John Harvey’s adaptation of his own bestselling novel Darkness, Darkness.

Resnick is on the verge of retirement when DI Catherine Njoroge convinces him to take on one more case with the discovery of the body of Jenny Hardwick, a young woman who disappeared during the bitterly-fought miners’ strike 30 years earlier.

Darkness, Darkness displays award‑winning novelist John Harvey’s ‘great gifts for sharp but compassionate characterisation’ (The Telegraph). His tense, contemporary crime thriller promises to be a poignant and compelling production at the Playhouse.

Evenings 7:45pm Matinees Sat 8 2:30pm, Thu 13 Oct 1:30pm

SCHOOL INSIGHT SESSION WITH JACK MCNAMARATues 11 Oct: 4:30 - 6pmThe session will put John Harvey’s play in its context, focussing on the history of our communities in Nottingham and how the miners’ strike affected lives in its time and today. Director, Jack McNamara, will enlighten students of his creative decision making process for Darkness, Darkness, and how his understanding of the context of the play is realised in the production. There will be time for students and teachers to ask questions that link specifically to their exam and coursework preparations.

Price: £2:50 per head (+ tickets for the show)

FRI 28 OCT – SAT 12 NOVNottingham Playhouse Theatre Company presents

THE REVENGER’S TRAGEDYBy Thomas Middleton Directed by Fiona BuffiniBEST SUITED FOR A LEVEL (AGE RECOMMENDATION 14+)After our very successful production of The Duchess of Malfi in Autumn 2015, we will be producing The Revenger’s Tragedy in the Autumn of 2016 with the same team (Director: Fiona Buffini, Designer: Neil Murray, Composer: Jon Nicholls and Lighting Designer: Mark Jonathan).

Although both Jacobean plays, The Revenger’s Tragedy couldn’t be more different to The Duchess of Malfi. Rather than a brutal, brooding tragedy, it’s a violent, fast-paced, pitch-black comedy. It’s like a Tarantino version of Hamlet: witty, funny and shocking. It’s a play with tremendous appeal to younger audiences: the hero, Vindice, is a young man who hates the corruption he sees all around him and succeeds in wiping out evil ‑doers in a series of dazzling revenges.

The Revenger’s Tragedy takes us behind the scenes in this world of glamour, riches and celebrity, into a seedy underworld of sex, drugs and rock and roll.

The production will show how an original Jacobean play can be interpreted in a contemporary way (1970s inspired), providing contrast to original practises.

Evenings 7:30pm Matinees Sat 5 2:30pm, Thu 10 Nov 1:30pm

SCHOOLS MASTERCLASS & REVISION SESSION WITH FIONA BUFFINI Best suited for A Level (Age recommendation 12+)

Masterclass Tue 8 Nov, 4:30 - 6pm Revision Session Wed 29 Mar, 11 - 12:30pm“The Masterclass proved to be an extremely beneficial resource for our A2 Drama students. Not only did it provide insightful and useful information in preparation for their live theatre evaluation, it has also been an invaluable point of reference for the Director’s concept for Woyzeck by Buchner. We have been able to signpost students to Fiona’s approach as a director to enhance their learning and understanding of how theatre works.” Andrea Hemmett, Bilborough Sixth Form College (on The Duchess of Malfi masterclass)

The Masterclass will provide an insight into Fiona Buffini’s understanding of the play, her artistic choices and design considerations in this 1970s inspired interpretation. The session will give students an understanding of the Director’s processes and her choices, in terms of set, performance space, costume, lights, music and sound. Through practical demonstrations, Fiona will explain how her decisions create mood, and have impact on the audience.

A revision session of the Masterclass is available for any groups that are sitting a June exam and would like a refresher of the play, and insights into the Director’s creative process.

Price: Masterclass £2.50 per head (+ tickets for the show)Revision Session free for those attending Masterclass

TECHNICAL REHEARSALS Tue 25 & Wed 26 OctDuring half term your students can observe a technical rehearsal of The Revenger’s Tragedy. Supervised by teachers, students can sit in the stalls in full view of the creative team to gain an understanding of the processes of theatre making. Explanations from members of the Playhouse team will aid the students in getting the most out the session. Slots are limited, and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Price: £2.50 per head (+ tickets for the show)

PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS AT YOUR SCHOOLThe students will work through the process of bringing the text to life, performing key scenes which will explore themes of corruption, justice and revenge in a workshop led by Fiona Buffini.

The workshop is suitable for 10 - 30 students and dates and times are flexible to suit your requirements. Booking is subject to availability. Additional travel costs may be required for schools outside of Nottinghamshire.

Price: £150 half day/ £300 full day + VAT

FRI 17 FEB – SAT 4 MAR 2017Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company presents

TOUCHEDBy Stephen Lowe Directed by Matt AstonStarring BAFTA award-winning actress, Vicky McClure (This is England, Line of Duty and Broadchurch).

Stephen Lowe’s Touched is a powerful and poignant World War II drama set during the 100 days between VE and VJ Day, and centred on the lives of a family of working class Nottingham women.

The promise of a brave new world has arrived with peace in Europe and the election of the first ever Labour government. But the fighting is not yet over. With her husband away at war and having lost her son in a tragic car accident during the blackout, Sandra (Vicky McClure) is torn by grief. Meanwhile, her sisters – the brash Joan and naïve Betty – are brimming with hope for the future and the possibilities of new lives ahead for all of them.

Directed by Matt Aston (The Diary of a Football Nobody), Touched is a modern classic, celebrating the 40th anniversary of its’ premiere at Nottingham Playhouse.

“A compelling atmosphere of a female world caught in limbo.” Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph (review of 2008 Salisbury Playhouse revival)

Evenings 7:45pm Matinees Sat 25 Feb 2:30pm, Thu 2 Mar 1:30pm

SCHOOLS Q&A WITH THE BAFTA-AWARD WINNING ACTRESS VICKY MCCLURESuitable for: All Secondary

Tue 28 Feb: 5 - 6pmA chance to ask questions and hear from BAFTA-award winning actress Vicky McClure, who will give insights into her experience of Touched and her career to date.

Price: FREE for schools groups attending the show (subject to availability)

BOOKING INFORMATIONSCHOOL TICKETS: £11 subject to availability (one teacher goes free with every 10 tickets purchased)

CALL BOX OFFICE ON 0115 941 9419 TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETSTickets can be reserved for up to six weeks prior to performance. Payment can be made via credit card/debit card, cash or cheque. There are no booking, administration or postage fees. There are no full refunds available on workshop or performance bookings, however we understand your class size may change; after payment you will be able to change your booking by 10%, up to one week before the start of the run and receive a refund on returned tickets. If you need to discuss an exchange of date, please contact Box Office.

Show tickets and wraparound tickets can be purchased for different dates within the run.