alm brochure - Almeida Theatre

JUNE 2005 – JANUARY 2006

NOW BOOKINGALMEIDA THEATRE:ROMANCE6th September– 22nd October 2005STEPHEN DILLANE’S MACBETH26th October– 5th November 2005THE HYPOCHONDRIAC10th November 2005–7th January 2006ALMEIDA OPERA:THE CRICKET RECOVERS29th & 30th June, 3rd & 4th July 2005LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD6th & 7th July 2005SYSTEMS IN TIME8th & 9th July 2005ALMEIDA WEST END:HEDDA GABLER19th May – 6th August 2005For details of Assisted Performancesplease see page 13Use Our New Online Booking System www.almeida.co.ukBox Office 020 7359 4404When I was appointed Artistic Director of the Almeida I said thatwe would present an eclectic programme, ranging from redefinedmajor classics to the cutting edge of brand new work. To date wehave produced ten premières of new plays and four classics,threeof them in newly commissioned translations.The coming 05/06 season will continueand expand this wide-ranging variety oftheatrical events. Three of the first fourplays are American in origin – thrillinglytwo premières by a pair of contemporarytheatrical giants – David Mamet andSam Shepard; followed by a major revivalof the great Tennessee Williams’ Period ofAdjustment, to be directed by our AssociateDirector, the award-winning Howard Davies.On the classic front we have commissioneda fabulously outrageous new version ofMolière’s comedy The Hypochondriac fromthe celebrated young playwright RichardBean, which will play through November,December and over Christmas.Lindsay Posner will direct both the Molièreand Mamet’s play Romance. Lindsay hasalready directed Mamet’s three mostrecent productions in the West End; ALife in the Theatre, Oleanna and SexualPerversity in Chicago, all hugely successful.He also directed the National Theatre’striumphant production of Moliere’s Tartuffewith Martin Clunes.Sandwiched between Romance and TheHypochondriac (for only 10 performances) weshall host an extraordinary solo performanceby one of the finest actors of his generation,Stephen Dillane, as Macbeth. An exploratoryvision into the mind of the tragic hero, withother characters sliding in and out of histortured conscience, this will undoubtedlyprove to be a fascinating contrast with ourfull scale production earlier this year.In 2006, I myself shall be directing theEuropean première of a new Sam ShepardThe Late Henry Moss and a huge project forthe Spring, a brand new version by Sir DavidHare of Maxim Gorky’s brilliant play Enemies,written ten years before the Russian revolution,with a cast of over thirty characters.Booking is now open for the Mamet. Amassive hit in America, Romance is a wildpolitical satire set in a New York courtroom;as one US reviewer described it, “a giddy,glorious, bad-taste valentine to classic farce”.And also for the Molière – a great classicfarce indeed.In addition, you can book for Stephen Dillane’sMacbeth and our latest award-winningAlmeida Opera season, which in July returnsfor its fourteenth year, with a characteristicallylively and inventive programme of work.If you haven’t yet seen Sir Richard Eyre’sremarkable production of Hedda Gabler, Iwould urge you to do so. It’s now transferredto the Duke of York’s Theatre in the West Endfor a limited run ending on 6th August.It only remains for me to express two veryimportant thank you’s. Firstly to Coutts whoare now entering their third consecutive yearas our distinguished Principal Sponsor and toour company and staff whose whole-heartedcommitment to our work is unswerving andwho are the major reason that this theatreachieves the consistently high standards forwhich the Almeida is so widely known.Michael AttenboroughArtistic Director

David Mamet’s Romance is an uproarious courtroomfarce which lampoons the American judicial system andexposes the hypocrisy surrounding personal prejudicesand political correctness. Wildly humorous and oftengob-smackingly outrageous, America’s Newsdaydescribed Romance as ‘Flagrantly foul and so much fun…a giddy, glorious bad taste valentine’.3Romance marks the first play by David Mamet to beproduced at the Almeida. His other work includesGlengarry Glen Ross (for which he won the Pulitzer Prize),American Buffalo and Speed-the-Plow.6th September –22nd October 2005The European Première ofImage by Sarah Hyndman (Rabbit/Photonica, Hula Girl,Cuffs & Flags/Getty Images)By David MametLindsay Posner has also directed three ofMamet’s other plays A Life in the Theatre,Oleanna and Sexual Perversity in Chicago inLondon’s West End and Pinter’s The BirthdayParty, currently at the Duchess Theatre.Directed by Lindsay PosnerDesigned by Peter McKintoshLighting Design by Neil AustinRomance is suitable for an audience aged 16+John Mahoney will play the Judge. He lastappeared on the London stage in SteppenwolfTheatre Company’s production of The Man WhoCame To Dinner at the Barbican in 1998. He iswidely recognised for his role as Marty Crane inFrasier, for which he has received an Emmy Award.Use Our New Online Booking System www.almeida.co.uk Box Office 020 7359 4404

From one of the greatest comic writers in French history,Molière’s classic farce pokes fun at Argan – a man sogreedily obsessed by his own imaginary ailments, he canno longer control his chaotic household or the mercenarymedics he employs.5With doctors determined to grow fat from the profitsof his conditions, Argan’s closest relatives battle to showhim the truth of his situation. Using elaborate trickery,they strive to cure the real disease from which he suffers,managing to pile confusion upon hilarious confusion.10th November 2005 –7th January 2006By MolièreIn a new version by Richard BeanRichard Bean’s writing credits include theaward-winning Under The Whaleback andHoneymoon Suite, both presented at theRoyal Court Theatre.Lindsay Posner’s most recent productions inLondon’s West End include The Birthday Party,A Life in the Theatre, and Molière’s Tartuffewith Martin Clunes at the National TheatreImage by Sarah Hyndman, Food Styling by Stella MurphyDirected by Lindsay PosnerDesigned by Giles CadleLighting by Jean KalmanMusic by Matthew ScottSound by John LeonardMovement by Scarlett MackminMidweek Matinee Wednesday 7th December, 2.30pmUse Our New Online Booking System www.almeida.co.uk Box Office 020 7359 4404

ALMEIDA OPERA29th June –9th July 20056th July, 8pm;7th July, 6pm & 8pm8th & 9th July, 7.30pmTwo concerts of important early and rarelyperformed work by two masters of Americanminimalism – classic downtown galleryprogrammes, curated by Richard Bernas andpresented by Almeida Opera in conjunctionwith Tate Modern’s exhibition, Open Systems:Rethinking Art c.1970.729th & 30th June, 3th & 4th July, 7.30pmMusic: Richard AyresText: Rozalie Hirs, based on a storyby Toon TellegenConductor: Roland KluttigDirection: Nicholas BroadhurstDesign: Quay BrothersLighting Design: Neil AustinMovement Director: Struan LeslieCast: Allison Bell, Anna Burford, JoannaBurton, Simon Butteriss, Jonathan Gunthorpe,Keith Miller & Claire WildTickets: £6 – £25Runs: 1 hour and 10 minutes (no interval)30 June – Captioned Performance4 July – Audio-described performanceCommissioned and produced by AldeburghAlmeida OperaRichard Ayres’ first opera brings to the stagecult Dutch writer Toon Tellegen’s animal stories.The Cricket wakes up one morning with agloomy feeling in his head and doesn’t knowwhat it is, or how it got there. The elephantcan’t stop climbing trees, and he has to finda way to kick the habit.Ayres’ is a major new voice in contemporarymusic, featured at the Aldeburgh andHuddersfield Festivals. He is joined bysurrealist animators Quay Brothers andMusic Theatre London Founder NicholasBroadhurst. His regular collaborator, RolandKluttig, conducts.29 June, 6.30pmFree Pre-Performance Talk: Almeida OperaProducer Patrick Dickie in conversation withThe Cricket Recovers creative team.Almeida Opera Images by Cog Design‘A little chamber gem, full of fantasy’LiberationOnce upon a time there lived a littlevillage girl, the most beautiful girl youhave ever seen…Full of theatrical magic and musical invention,six musicians have fun with the classiccautionary tale. Georges Aperghis, one ofmusic theatre’s great innovators, has writtena fantasy for everyone aged 9 and above.Complicite founder Annabel Arden directsThe Continuum Ensemble in this UK première.Music: Georges AperghisText: English from the original French byCharles PerraultMusic Director: Philip HeadlamDirector: Annabel ArdenLighting Design: Giuseppe di IorioThe Continuum EnsembleTickets: £6 –£16Runs: 50 minutes, no intervalAn Almeida Theatre Company production inassociation with The Continuum EnsembleAlmeida Opera is supported byColumbia Foundation,San FranciscoThe Foyle FoundationSYSTEMS IN TIME ONESTEVE REICHFriday 8th JulyCome Out (1966)Pendulum Music (1968)Vermont Counterpoint (1982)Four Organs (1970)Nancy Ruffer, fluteMembers of Music Projects/LondonTicket prices: £12, £8 (£5 concs)SYSTEMS IN TIME TWOPHILIP GLASSSaturday 9th JulyMusic with Changing Parts (1973)Leading ensemble Icebreaker plays PhilipGlass’ Music with Changing Parts, his eightyminute non-stop minimalist classic in its firstperformance in Europe for 35 years.IcebreakerDirector: James PokeTicket prices: £12, £8 (£5 concs)To receive regular e-mail updates aboutAlmeida Opera send a message toopera@almeida.co.ukAldeburgh Almeida Opera is supported by Arts Council England. The Cricket Recovers commissioning is supported byThe John S Cohen Foundation, RVW Trust and a small syndicate of individuals.Use Our New Online Booking System www.almeida.co.uk Box Office 020 7359 4404

26th October –5th November 2005The Almeida Theatre presentsThe Center for New Theater at CalArtsproduction ofby William Shakespearewith Stephen DillaneMusicans: Jeremy Drake,Harris Eisenstadt, Vinny GoliaStephen Dillane performs Shakespeare’s textof Macbeth in an extraordinary re-imaginingof the play. Haunting the stage and cracklingwith supernatural energy, Dillane’s compellingsolo performance incorporates each individualcharacter as if they are sliding in and out ofMacbeth’s disturbed conscience.As developed by Dillane and director TravisPreston Macbeth becomes not only a harrowingportrait of a mind unravelling in the presence ofthe horrors it has engendered, but also a poeticand personal meditation upon the corruptinginfluence of power.Acknowledged as one of the finest actors of hisgeneration, Stephen Dillane’s credits includeDancing at Lughnasa, Hamlet (directed by PeterHall), Endgame and The Real Thing (Donmar)and The Coast of Utopia at the National Theatre.His films range from Welcome To Sarajevo toKing Arthur and The Hours.Accompanying Dillane’s virtuoso performanceare three live musicians, including experimentaljazz composer Vinny Golia whose original scoreunderpins the play’s nightmarish dreamscape.Directed by Travis PrestonMusic Composed by Vinny GoliaScenic Design by Christopher BarrecaCostume Design by Ellen McCartneyLighting Design by Benoit BeauchampJOIN US FOR 2006THE YEAR AHEAD.....12th January– 4th March 2006The European Première ofTHE LATE HENRY MOSSBy Sam ShepardDirected by Michael Attenborough9th March–29th April 2006PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENTBy Tennessee WilliamsDirected by Howard Davies5th May–24th June 2006ENEMIESby Maxim GorkyA new version by David HareDirected by Michael Attenborough9‘It is the performance ofa single actor, StephenDillane, and it is aperformance that defiesbelief ’ Los Angeles Times10 performances onlyUse Our New Online Booking Systemwww.almeida.co.uk Box Office 020 7359 4404Gael García Bernal in Blood Wedding (photo by Keith Pattison)Don’t miss out! Book for Almeidaproductions ahead of the crowd…By becoming a friend of the Almeida youcan enjoy a range of benefits including:• Exclusive priority booking for theabove productions• Invitations to Supporters Eveningsfor each play• Opportunities to meet Almeidacast members and creative teams• Regular newsletters and theatreinformationAnnual membership is just £50 and yourcontribution will help to safeguard thecontinuation of the Almeida Theatreand its artistic programme.For more information, visitwww.almeida.co.uk or contactClaire Shenton on 020 7288 4935or email cshenton@almeida.co.uk

ALMEIDA IN THE WEST ENDFollowing a sell-out season at the Almeida Theatre, thecritically acclaimed Hedda Gabler transfers to the Dukeof York’s Theatre for a strictly limited season.‘This is a wonderful production of Ibsen’s magnificent play,and one that confirms Eve Best as a truly great actress.Both Eyre’s staging of this new version and the extraordinarycentral performance penetrate to the very heart of the play.Blessed with some marvellous supporting performances, thisis a Hedda Gabler that gets you in the guts. An electrifyinghit’ Daily Telegraph1119th May–6th August 2005By Henrik IbsenIn a version by Richard EyreAward-winning director Sir Richard Eyre has adapted and directsthis ‘dynamic new version’(Sunday Times), featuring a ‘superb cast’(The Independent) led by Eve Best – in the title role.Photo by Neil LibbertCast:Eve Best, Benedict Cumberbatch, Lisa Dillon,Sarah Flind, Iain Glen, Gillian Raine, Jamie SivesDirected by Richard EyreDesigned by Rob HowellLighting by Peter MumfordSound by John LeonardPlease call The Duke of York’s Theatre 0870 060 6623 (£2.50 handling fee applies)

ALMEIDA PROJECTSASSISTED PERFORMANCES13Almeida Projects draws on theexpertise of the some of the besttheatre artists in the UK and bringsthem together with our communitypartners, promoting innovativecreative exchange between theAlmeida and Islington.We have created participatory programmeswith over 400 students from our partnersecondary schools: City and Islington College,Highbury Grove School, Holloway School,Islington Green School, Islington Arts andMedia School and Freshstart. Collaboratingwith playwrights, directors, designers, actors,musicians and choreographers, studentsand teachers have joined us in a series ofdurational projects. Inspired by the creativeprocesses behind ID, Festen, Brighton Rock,the entire 2004-5 season and our currentopera première, The Cricket Recovers, a seriesof original works have been created inresponse to the professional productionsand presented both at the Almeida andschool venues across Islington.Almeida Projects’ third season is entitledThinking Big, Playing it Simple. For moreinformation visit the newly launched AlmeidaProjects website which is a dynamic resourcesupporting our Projects including interviews,articles, images, educational downloads and inthe next season, a discussion forum. Check usout at www.almeidaprojects.co.ukALMEIDA PROJECTS SUSBSIDISED TICKETPROGRAMMEIn addition to these projects, over 2000students from across Islington and the UKhave attended productions and participatedin introductory workshops as part of oursubsidised ticket schemes.ISLINGTON FIRSTIslington Secondary Schools and Londonstate secondary schools are invited to takeadvantage of our subsidised weekday matineeperformances. Islington students and theiraccompanying teachers are offered ticketsat £5 subject to availability. Theatre visits aresupported by resource materials about theproduction and a free introductory workshopled by one of our Projects Associates.There will be a Midweek Matinee of TheHypochondriac on Wednesday 7th December 2005BEYOND ISLINGTON….Following high demand from students for ticketsfor our 2004 season, we are delighted toannounce a new £15 subsidised ticket for UKstudent groups from secondary schools, collegesand universities on selected performances.These tickets are subject to availability and aresupported by resource materials and a freeintroductory workshop.For more information about our GroupSubsidised Tickets Scheme please call020 7288 4916 or emailstudentgroups@almeida.co.ukPlease note: Due to the intimate nature of ourmid-scale theatre, we welcome groups of 50 or lessper performance. Priority will be given to localsecondary schools.For more information about past, current andfuture projects please visit our new websitewww.almeida projects.co.ukTHE CRICKET RECOVERSThursday 30th JuneMonday 4th JulyROMANCEThursday 29th SeptemberSaturday 8th OctoberFriday 14th OctoberTHE HYPOCHONDRIACSaturday 10th DecemberSaturday 17th DecemberFriday 6th January 2006FACILITIESInfra-red hearing system inthe main auditorium.Guide and hearing dogs arewelcome in the auditorium(please request an aisle seatwhen you book) or our staffcan dog sit for you.Captioned Performance by STAGETEXTAudio Described Performance byMiranda Yates & Jenny TannerCaptioned Performance by STAGETEXTAudio Described matinee by VocaleyesSign Language Interpreted Performanceby Zane HemaCaptioned matinee by STAGETEXTAudio Described matinee by VocaleyesSign Language Interpreted Performanceby Jeni DraperInduction loop in the box office.There are wheelchair spacesfor each performance, locatedin the stalls. There is anaccessible toilet via the foyer.For more detailed information on assisted performances, or for a largeprint or audio version of this brochure, please call 020 7288 4999,email access@almeida.co.uk or visit www.almeida.co.ukUse Our New Online Booking System www.almeida.co.uk Box Office 020 7359 4404

SEE BOTH PLAYS FIRST & FOR LESS!We are offering Almeida audiencesthe opportunity to see both ROMANCEand THE HYPOCHONDRIAC first andwith a saving of £9!Buy top price tickets, usually £29.50, forROMANCE from 6th–10th September andTHE HYPOCHONDRIAC from 10th–16thNovember for just £25 each!To take advantage of this offer please callthe Almeida Box Office on 020 7359 4404BOOKING INFORMATIONBOOKINGOnline www.almeida.co.ukBox Office 020 7359 4404 *In Person At the Almeida Theatre, Monday–Saturday (10am–7.30pm)ROMANCE 6th September–22nd October 2005STEPHEN DILLANE’SMACBETH 26th October–5th November 2005THE HYPOCHONDRIAC 10th November 2005–7th January 2006 **PERFORMANCE TIMESMonday–Saturday EveningsSaturday Matinees7.30pm3pm15The Hypochondriac Midweek Matinee7th December, 2.30pmBAR(This offer is only applicable to top price tickets for the specified datesand tickets must be bought for both productions at the same time.Usual terms and conditions apply. This offer is not available online.Offer expires 1st September 2005)The Almeida bar is open from 11.30am to 11pm Monday to Saturday, servingsnacks, light meals and a range of hot and cold drinks.TICKET PRICES£6, £15, £22, £29.50CONCESSIONS (subject to availability)£15 tickets reduced to £10 (Monday to Thursday evenings, midweek and Saturdaymatinees) for full time students, unemployed, entertainment union members,deaf & disabled patrons and senior citizens. Proof of eligibility will be required forstudent, unemployed and equity discounts.ALMEIDA OPERA 29th June –9th July 2005Please see pages 6 and 7 for dates, times, prices and concessions for theopera season.ARE YOU MAKING A BOOKING FOR AN EDUCATIONAL GROUP?If so, please refer to the information on page 12 and call the Almeida Projects lineon 020 7288 4916. Please note that group concessions do not apply to StephenDillane’s Macbeth.* Tickets booked directly with the Almeida Theatre’s box office will not be subject to a booking fee. However, ticketsbooked through our ticket agent, SEE, will be subject to a 50p handling charge. Please note that calls made to the boxoffice at any time may be transferred to SEE.** There will be no performances of The Hypochondriac on the 24, 26, 27 and 31 December 2005.Please call 020 7288 4900 or email bar@almeida.co.uk for further information.Use Our New Online Booking System www.almeida.co.uk Box Office 020 7359 4404

SEATING PLANArtistic DirectorMichael AttenboroughExecutive DirectorNeil ConstableArtistic AssociateMaggie LunnAssociate DirectorHoward DaviesAssociate ActorsSimon Russell BealeJosette Bushell-MingoMeera SyalRichard WilsonPenelope WiltonHOW TO FIND USAlmeida Theatre Almeida Street, London N1 1TATube Highbury & Islington or AngelBuses 4, 19,30,43Rail Essex Rd, Highbury & IslingtonParking The Business Design Centre car park on Upper Street is 500 yards from thetheatre. For rates please call 020 7359 3535LIVERPOOL ROADBUSINESSDESIGNCENTRELIVERPOOL ROADTHEBERTON STANGELUPPER STREETALMEIDAHIGHBURY &ISLINGTON500MBARNSBURY STREETALMEIDA STISLINGTON GREENUPPERSTREETEngland Registered Charity no 282167Brochure design: email@sarahhyndman.com

ALMEIDA STREET, ISLINGTON, LONDON N1 1TABOX OFFICE 020 7359 4404 www.almeida.co.uk