When the Rain Stops Falling - Almeida Theatre

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Welcometo the Almeida Theatre’sproduction of When the Rain Stops Falling byAndrew Bovell.“Terrible weather. Still, there are people drowning in Bangladeshso we shouldn’t complain.”“Are there?”“Are there...?”“People drowning...in Bangladesh?”“No. It’s just a figure of speech. It’s something my mother says.Though they often do. Each monsoon. But they’re not at themoment. At least I hope not.”This is an extract from Andrew Bovell’s When the Rain StopsFalling, a casual expression, an invented version of ‘it’s notthe end of the world’. It reappears as a leitmotif through thatplay, echoed in the mouths of characters in threegenerations. By the final generation, in 2039, people aredrowning, and Bangladesh is, in fact, flooding.IntroductionJonathan Cullen, Phoebe Nicholls and Lisa DillonPhoto: John HaynesThe play poses at its core, the very fundamental thequestion of nature versus nurture: are our actions, like theweather, sometimes driven by forces out of our control? Oneunnatural act, committed by Henry Law in 1959 upsets thebalance of nature: successive generations of one family aretorn apart, spread between two continents with pieces oftheir history missing from their lives. And so too theweather: is not snow in Adelaide just as unnatural as themurder of a child, a father leaving a son or parentscommitting suicide?Director Michael Attenborough describes this play as“purely theatrical”, in that he believes it could not be writtenfor any medium other than theatre. Where else, he asks, canso much be ‘said’, but not actually spoken? On the Almeidastage this production draws the audience into a unique andintimate world, and offers just that, a truly theatricalexperience.We very much hope that you and your students are also ableto draw energy both from the play’s ideas and the power andskill with which they are presented. For more informationabout Almeida Projects please visit our website:www.almeida.co.uk/projectsWe look forward to welcoming you to the Almeida Theatresoon.Charlie, Natalie, and AnneAlmeida ProjectsAlmeida Projects: When the Rain Stops Falling by Andrew Bovell2
When the Rain Stops Fallingby Andrew BovellRESOURCE PACKCONTENTSIntroduction 2Contents 3Production Credits 4Family Tree/Settings 5Plot Summary 6Characters 12Design 14Andrew Bovell 16From the Director 18In the Rehearsal Room 20Context: Brecht & Epic Theatre 23Context: The Coorong 24Context: Fish in Danger? 25Practical Exercises 26Almeida Projects 27About Almeida ProjectsUnder the artistic directorship of MichaelAttenborough, the Almeida Theatre presents aneclectic programme, ranging from redefinedmajor classics to the cutting edge of brand newwork.ALMEIDA PROJECTSAlmeida Projects is the Almeida Theatre’scommunity and learning programme. Inspiredby the main-house productions, Projectsdeliver a range of high quality, innovativeactivities to make the theatre accessible toyoung people, inspire them creatively, andencourage an exploration of the power andpotential of theatre. By opening up its doors tolocal young people, Almeida Projects aims todemystify the craft of theatre making and theact of theatregoing.ContentsRESOURCE PACKThis pack aims to provide an insight into ourprocess in taking the production from researchstage to performance. We hope you will use itto help you in your own investigations into theplay both before and after your visit to theAlmeida Theatre.INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPSBefore you see the production, one of ourProjects Team may be visiting you for aworkshop, bringing you insight into some ofthe techniques explored in the rehearsal room,the challenges the play presents and somequestions. The sessions are designed to bepractical and participatory so please comeenergised, ready to work and wearingappropriate clothes and shoes.Almeida Projects: When the Rain Stops Falling by Andrew Bovell3
Page 1: When the Rain StopsFallingby Andrew
Page 5 and 6: Henry Law(1938--)Gabriel Law(1938 -
Page 7 and 8: Lisa Dillon and Jonathan CullenPhot
Page 9: Night, waves on the shore and a sto
Page 12 and 13: HENRY LAWJonathan CullenHenry works
Page 14 and 15: DesignThe Almeida Theatre - empty s
Page 16 and 17: Andrew BovellAndrew Bovell wrote th
Page 18 and 19: Imogen Knight and Michael Attenboro
Page 20 and 21: Michael Attenborough and Phoebe Nic
Page 22 and 23: Naomi Bentley in rehearsalPhoto: Br
Page 24 and 25: The Coorong is a dangerousplace. Ca
Page 26 and 27: The play deals with a number of iss

When the Rain Stops Falling - Almeida Theatre

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