CLOUDCUCKOOLAND

Eco warriors and Bird Poo... Aristophanes' Birds for Kids

The Onassis Programme is proud to have commissioned Cloudcuckooland a new musical for 7+ based on Aristophanes' Birds, with book and lyrics by Stephen Sharkey and music by Alex Silverman. The show will open in Oxford for six performances from 13 February, then tour to Hammersmith, Belfast, Newcastle, Bridgwater, Newport, Sheffield, Brighton, Armagh, Sutton and Greenwich, until 27 April. It is performed by seven actor musicians (who play more instruments between them than you would think possible). This modern adaptation contains lots of slapstick, clowning, juggling, ludicrous big bird costumes and a healthy dollop of political satire. For more information (including group bookings, workshops and cast recording!) visit www.onassis.ox.ac.uk/cuckooland.htm.

Tour dates

18-24 February, Riverside Studios, Hammersmith (020 8237 1111; www.riversidestudios.co.uk)

28 February - 1 March, The Round, Newcastle (0191 2 605 605; www.the-round.com)

6-8 March, Old Museum Arts Centre, Belfast (028 9023 3332; www.oldmuseumartscentre.org)

12-13 March, Central Library Theatre, Sheffield (booking via 0114 249 6000)

18 March, Greenwich Theatre, London (020 8858 7755; www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk)

22 March, Marketplace Theatre, Armagh (028 3752 1821; www.marketplacearmagh.com)

28 March, Riverside Suite, Newport Centre, Newport (01633 656 757; www.newport.gov.uk)

5-6 April, Charles Cryer Studio Theatre, Carshalton (0208 770 6990; www.suttontheatres.co.uk)

16 April, Bridgwater Arts Centre, Bridgwater (01278 422700; www.bridgwaterartscentre.co.uk)

27 April, Komedia, Brighton (01273 647100; www.komedia.co.uk )

Molora

An ancient text rewritten by Yael Farber

Thrilling, gripping...compelling drama. It should not be missed. Oxford Times

South African director Yael Farber explores the extraordinary events of her country's experience of apartheid and its legacy through reworking the Greek classic of the Oresteia. Molora is set in one of the many South African halls where people gathered to testify at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In a dramatic confrontation, Klytemnestra and Elektra, mother and daughter, perpetrator and victim, face one another in an attempt to come to terms with their violent past. Like South Africa, we hold our collective breath and watch this drama unfold.

The Chorus of Xhosa tribeswomen bring a unique grace and humanity to the drama through their ancient art of 'split tone' singing, adding a haunting intensity to this evocative production.

Intimate and epic, and with unforgettable performances, Molora returns before embarking on an international tour.

TOUR DATES:

Wednesday 9 - Saturday 19 April
The Pit, Barbican Centre, London
Box Office:  0845 1207511 www.barbican.org.uk/bite

Tuesday 20 - Saturday 24 May
Rose Theatre, Kingston
Box Office:  0871 230 1552 www.rosetheatrekingston.org

Tuesday 3 - Saturday 7 June
Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne
Box Office:  0191 230 5151 www.northernstage.co.uk

Bacchic

BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE  -  *****
‘Shasha is a dazzling, sensuous performer. This inventive reworking has pertinence, conviction and style
EDINBURGH GUIDE  - *****
A superb performance, bringing the text to vivid contemporary life.  I urge you to see it’
THE SCOTSMAN - ****
‘Clever, highly effective, an original, remarkable & mesmerising reworking ……Alan Cumming will have to work hard to better the hugely talented Tamsin Shasha’
THE STAGE: ‘MUST SEE’
‘Outstanding, exquisite, inventive and seamless. Crisp, delicate and layered – this is a rare piece of theatre’
THE TIMES,  Robert Dawson Scott
‘Thoughtful and intelligent, (Tamsin) Shasha has the acting as well as the rope skills, a most unusual and rewarding
 hour’
TOTAL THEATRE
‘With a strong script, scenography that is dramatic in its simplicity and beautifully incorporated aerial work; Bacchic is a theatrical gem not to be missed’

Please also go to:

http://web.mac.com/tamsinshasha/iWeb/Bacchic/Home.html

for more information about the work and to view a trailer.

Bacchic has been selected as part of the Caravan Assembly http://www.farnhammaltingscaravan.com supported by Arts Council England, British Council, Euclid, SEEDA,  Brighton & Hove City Council and UKTI and will be showcased at Komedia on May 11th.

For a slideshow of Bacchic production shotsplease go to:

www.flickr.com/photos/12935130@N00/sets/72157602978655688/detail/

The existing tour schedule is as follows:

April:
21st & 22nd Bloomsbury Theatre, London
25th, Trestle Arts Base, St Albans

May:
1st, Portsmouth Theatre Royal
6th, York Theatre Royal
8th, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
9th, Salisbury Playhouse
11th, Komedia, Brighton (as part of the Caravan Assembly for Brighton Festival)
15th, Alnwick Playhouse
16th, Queen’s Hall, Hexham
19th, Farnham Maltings
20th, Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead
29th-31st, Bath Theatre Royal

June:
7th, New Wolsey Theatre (part of Pulse Festival) Ipswich
11th, Jersey Arts Centre (awaiting confirmation)
17th, The Lowry, Manchester
18th, Harrogate Theatre
19th, The Theatre, Chipping Norton
20th-21st, Jacksons Lane, London

aod registered office :
14 cuthbert road
brighton
bn2 0en

tel: 01273 692604
mob: 07957 471 949
Fax: 01273 692604

http://www.actorsofdionysus.com

Drama & Theatre Notices

Chloë Greek Drama Postcards

A set of 4 postcards has been produced to celebrate some of our past projects. They feature stills from productions with costumes and masks on display.

• The hero Perseus (Euripides Andromeda 1996)
• The horned priestess Io (Aeschylus Prometheus Bound 1998)
• The lewd Old Hag (Aristophanes Assembly-Women 1999)
• Silenos, daddy of the Satyrs (Sophocles Trackers 1998)

The cost of a set of 4 different postcards is £1.00 (individual postcards available at 35p each.) Please add 20p for postage. Cheques should be made payable to "The Chloë Society". Orders to Russell Shone, Project Director, Chloë Productions, Institute of Classical Studies, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU email: office@hellenicsociety.org.uk