50P TICKETS FOR A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE WITH THE LIBERTINE

22 April 2014 for immediate release

It’s the final chance this season to bag one of the Citizens Theatre’s popular 50p tickets, with 100 bargain tickets for historical romp The Libertine on sale from 10am on Saturday 26 April.

Made famous by the 2004 film version starring Johnny Depp, Samantha Morton and John Malkovich, The Libertine is a funny, raunchy, bawdy and grand period drama written by Stephen Jeffreys in 1994. The first major stage production in the UK since the play’s premiere, The Libertine opens at the Citizens on Saturday 3 May, running until Saturday 24 May and is directed by Citizens Theatre Artistic Director Dominic Hill.

100 tickets across 10 performances will go on sale at 10am on Saturday 26 April, the final 50p ticket sale of the Citizens’ Spring 2014 season.  The only way to grab the rock bottom priced tickets is in person at the theatre, with tickets limited to two per person. 50p tickets for The Libertine are only available on the morning of the sale and must be paid for in cash.

Writer Stephen Jeffreys’ play tells the true story of John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester and a hedonistic poet, courtier, playwright and rake, whose appetite for women and wine has made him a notorious figure in 1670s London and the court of King Charles II. His need to exceed every limit leads to a spectacular fall from favour, from which neither his charisma nor true love can save him. 

Describing the production, director Dominic Hill says: “I’m really excited to be working on a new production of Stephen’s play.  It feels to me like such a “Citz” play, with everything that has made the Citizens famous: a brilliant script, visual flair and a celebration of theatre itself. There’s long been a tradition at the Citizens of theatre that’s risqué and outrageous, and I think the bawdiness of The Libertine will serve that tradition very well.”

Hill marked his first season at the Citizens Theatre with the re-instatement of 50p tickets in February 2012. 50p tickets were first offered at the Citizens in 1976 when the theatre was under the leadership of Giles Havergal, Phillip Prowse and Robert David McDonald; renowned in the 70s and 80s for their entrepreneurialism. From its origins, the theatre has been focussed on ensuring that the world-class performances presented on stage are accessible to as many people as possible. 50p tickets are part of the Citizens Theatre’s wider pricing strategy to achieve this aim.

-ENDS-

For more information, interviews and images, or to request tickets, please contact Keren Nicol, Senior Marketing & Communications Officer (Press) .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) / 0141 418 6233

NOTES TO EDITORS

Background to 50p tickets
The Citizens Theatre has a longstanding reputation for presenting world-class performances of classic texts at its Gorbals home at a fair price. The Citizens Theatre directorship of Giles Havergal, Phillip Prowse and Robert David McDonald were renowned in the 70s and 80s for their entrepreneurialism. However, their innovations and risk-taking not only include the famous choice of programme but in a whole series of experimentation including pricing and marketing. In the early 70s the theatre operated a tiered pricing structure, with tickets ranging from 40p to £1.10, but in 1976 a new 50p ticket price for all seats was introduced (25p for students and a free preview on the Thursday before the Friday opening). To put 50p in context, in 1976 the average weekly wage for a man was £70 and £45.30 for a woman. A loaf of bread was 19.2p and a pint of beer 32p. 50p tickets were re-instated in February 2012, with 100 tickets offered at 50p for Harold Pinter’s Betrayal.

As well as its 50p ticket initiative, the Citizens offers a wide range of affordable tickets. All tickets for performances on Tuesdays are priced at £12 and preview performances at £8. Local Gorbals residents can also enjoy performances at the Citz for only £2, with a range of other concessions available for registered unemployed, young people, senior citizens and groups. 

LISTINGS
Citizens Theatre presents
The Libertine
By Stephen Jeffreys
Directed by Dominic Hill
Designed by Tom Piper
Lighting Design by Lizzie Powell
Composer Hilary Brooks
Assistant Director Danielle McIlven
Fight Director Emmaclaire Brightlyn

Cast: Charlie Archer, Andy Clark, Tony Cownie, John Hodgkinson, Martin Hutson, Lucianne McEvoy, Lee Mengo, Barbara Rafferty, Gillian Saker, Elexi Walker

Dates: 3 – 24 May (not Mondays or Sundays)
Previews: Sat 3 & Tue 6 May, 7.30pm
Matinees: Sat 17 & Sat 24 May, 2.30pm
Audio Described performance: Sat 10 May, 7.30pm
BSL interpreted performance: Thu 15 May, 7.30pm
Captioned performance: Thu 22 May, 7.30pm

Tickets: 50p - £19.50
Previews £8 | Tuesdays £12 in partnership with The List
50p Tickets | 10 tickets, 10 performances on sale at 10am Saturday 26 April.
NB – 50p Tickets must be bought in person at the theatre, cash only.

Booking: 0141 429 0022 10am – 6pm Mon to Sat and to 8pm on performance evenings
citz.co.uk (£2 transaction fee applies to online sales)

Events:
POST SHOW TALK
Tue 15 May
FREE with ticket to The Libertine
With the cast and Director Dominic Hill

AN AFTERNOON WITH THE LIBERTINE
Sat 17 May, 12.15pm
£10 + ticket to the show. Includes buffet lunch and refreshments.
Book: 0141 429 0022
Director Dominic Hill in conversation with Dr Don Spaeth, Senior Lecturer in History at Glasgow University, exploring the society, theatrics and gender politics of the Restoration period.

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