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Yours Abundantly, From Zimbabwe
November 20th, 2008 |
(A new play by Gillian Plowman. Directed by Annie Castledine and Ben Evans. Designed by Iona McLeish)
For the last eight years, foreign journalists have been banned from Zimbabwe. For the last eight years, orphaned Zimbabwean children have written to the playwright Gillian Plowman.
Inspired by these funny, quirky, joyful, sad and often poetic letters, Yours Abundantly, from Zimbabwe tells the story of Nell, a white British woman who travels to Zimbabwe on holiday and meets a young orphan boy named Enock. The subsequent correspondence between the two of them, and later his headmaster Boniface, forms the basis of this poignant and heartbreaking tale. As the growing love and understanding between Nell and Boniface and the Zimbabwean children replace the loss of her relationships with her own husband and children, Nell finds herself with a lifetime decision to make. Directed by Anne Castledine and Ben Evans, and incorporating Zimbabwean song and movement, Yours Abundantly, From Zimbabwe offers a powerful glimpse into the lives of those living in the shadow of Mugabe.
By the time her funny, full-hearted creation has drawn its conclusion about the link between individual action and global ramifications, any accusations of privileged idealism or Third World romanticisation have been firmly blocked by the lump in your throat.
Bella Todd, Time Out
The performances are incredibly moving, full of desperation, and yet also full of hope…As you sit in your comfortable seat in the theatre, one struggles with the feelings of sadness and guilt, but Plowman’s writing is coloured with humour in her depiction of life in Zimbabwe. *****
Rachel Sheridan, What’s on stage.com
Let me think … nope, I wouldn’t have changed a thing! Don’t miss this play.
*****
UK Theatre Web
The following master classes will be held at Rose Bruford:
- 10th Nov Sarah Johnson (Producer)
- 17th Nov Iona McLeish (Designer)
- 24th Nov Francis Watson (Technical Manager for Oval House)
- 1st Dec Michael Passmore (Scenic artist)
- 12th Jan 09 Ben Payne (Lighting Design)
- 26th Jan Annie Castledine & Ben Evans (Co-directors)
‘Rose Bruford College puts Spain on the stage’
November 12th, 2008 |
As part of our research and Knowledge Transfer initiatives into writing, we have been working with the Spanish Ministry for Culture to bring three plays by contemporary Spanish authors to the UK.
Translated extracts from the plays were read for three nights at the Rose Theatre at Rose Bruford College in Burnt Oak Lane, Sidcup, and for one night at the Soho Theatre in London’s West End.
The performances were staged through the Euro Theatro Association, with the aim of promoting high quality Spanish theatre in the UK.
They were attended by directors, literary managers, casting directors and other members of the theatre profession.
The readings were followed by a discussion with the authors, translators, directors and cast.
