Autumn Season 09 Media Release

Media Release (for immediate use)
10 June 2009

CITIZENS THEATRE LAUNCHES AUTUMN 2009 SEASON

The Citizens Theatre is proud to announce its autumn season.  The Citizens Company will present 3 shows alongside 2 shows by the Community Company and Young Co. and will also tour TAG’s new show for 6-8 year olds to venues across Scotland.

Othello – Shakespeare’s great tragedy, featuring Andrew Clark as Iago. Directed by Guy Hollands.

Topdog/Underdog – the Scottish premiere of the 2002 Pulitzer prize-winning play by African American playwright Suzan-Lori Parks.  Directed by Leann O’Kasi.

Cinderella – a brand new version specially written for the Citizens by Alan McHugh, taking its inspiration from the original Brothers Grimm story.  Directed by Jeremy Raison.

Lend Me Your Ears – a stripped back performance of excerpts from Shakespearean plays alongside new material inspired by the Bard, performed by the Citizens Young Co.  Directed by Neil Packham.

Wicked Christmas (Cinders Revenge) – the Citizens Community Company’s seasonal satirical take on the festive season which this year takes its inspiration from Cinderella.  Directed by Neil Packham.

Museum of Dreams – a Scottish tour of TAG’s intimate, wordless, visual adventure for 6-8 year olds that tours in its own purpose built venue.  Directed by Guy Hollands.

The Citizens is also delighted to welcome back the National Theatre of Scotland who premiere their major new version of Federico Garcia Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba before embarking on a national tour.  In addition, there are return visits from the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival, a specially invited return of The Pillowman by XLC Theatre Company and a revival of the dynamic one woman show, The Chronicles of Irania.  Plus in August, Glasgow audiences will be able to see a sneak preview of a flagship show at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival, The Last Witch by Rona Munro.

The theatre also continues to present its wide-ranging programme of drama classes for children and adults, skills training courses for businesses and a remarkable selection of pioneering creative learning projects in the communities and education sectors of Scotland. This autumn, that work includes a brand new partnership with National Library of Scotland to create a theatrical exploration of Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory.


Citizens Company
OTHELLO
By William Shakespeare
Main Theatre
Wed 21 October – Sat 14 November
Arguably Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy, Othello’s story of jealousy, deception and revenge is a play about extreme human passion. Seeking unconditional revenge, the villainous Iago sets out to poison Othello’s mind with lies about Desdemona’s infidelity, trapping each of his victims in an intricate net of lies.  As Othello struggles to keep control over rational judgement, his mind falls prey to the very barbarism to which he has declared himself an enemy. 

Following critical success for his performance as Hamlet at the Citizens in 2007, Andrew Clark will play the manipulative Iago.

Citizens Company
TOPDOG/UNDERDOG
By Suzan-Lori Parks
Circle Studio
Tue 20 October – Sat 7 November
The Scottish premiere of the Pultizer Prize-winning play from African-American playwright Suzan-Lori Parks.  The story follows two African-American brothers, Lincoln and Booth, who are struggling to make ends meet.  Tension gnaws at their daily existence as they each vie for control.  Booth dreams of escaping his troubled childhood by becoming ‘topdog’ at the infamous street con game, three card monte.  Lincoln just wants to earn an honest living and get the respect he deserves.

This production is directed by Leann O’Kasi who was the Citizen’s first Trainee Director as part of a 3 year scheme supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Citizens Company
CINDERELLA
By Alan McHugh
Main Theatre
Sat 28 November – Sat 2 January
A magical re-telling of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, written specially for the Citizens by Scottish writer Alan McHugh.  Cinderella will take its audiences to an enchanted place where spells are cast, timing is everything and wishes can come true.  A festive family treat for all ages with imaginative storytelling and original live music.

Alan McHugh has written several pantomime adaptations (predominantly for the RSAMD) that have been described as ‘witty and inventive’ (The Herald).  The Citizens Theatre is delighted to have commissioned a special Citz take on the classic tale for this year’s festive offering. 

Citizens Young Co.
LEND ME YOUR EARS
Circle Studio
Thu 8 – Sat 10 October
In a stripped back performance, the ambitious young actors of the Young Co. present excerpts from their favourite Shakespearean plays alongside brand new material inspired by the words of the Bard.

Citizens Community Company
WICKED CHRISTMAS
Cinders’ Revenge
Circle Studio
Wed 16 – Sat 19 December
Not for the faint-hearted, the Community Company this year focus their seasonal satirical glance at the sugary world of slippers, pumpkins and balls.  A special night out for adults only.

TAG
MUSEUM OF DREAMS
Touring Scotland
Dates tbc
Following its world premiere at the Citizens and the Imaginate Festival in May, this wordless, visual adventure will be performed to 6-8 year olds across Scotland this autumn.  The story about a bored and lonely museum attendant who discovers the happiness he has always longed for uses physical performance, puppetry and projection in an intimate, bespoke set to create a magical experience for young people.

Edinburgh International Festival & Traverse Theatre
THE LAST WITCH
By Rona Munro
Main Theatre
Fri 14 & Sat 15 August
Exclusive Glasgow preview of the Edinburgh International Festival show, this is a new play by Rona Munro about the last woman to be executed for witchcraft in Scotland.  Directed by Dominic Hill, Artistic Director of the Traverse Theatre, The Last Witch is based on the historical account of Janet Horne.  Accused by friends and neighbours of making a pact with the devil, she was sentenced to death by burning.

National Theatre Of Scotland
THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA
By Federico Garcia Lorca/Translated by Rona Munro
Main Theatre
Tue 15 September – Sat 3 October
Set in contemporary Scotland, this is a new, edgy translation of one of the most celebrated European dramas of the 20th century.  Directed by John Tiffany and featuring Siobhan Redmond in the title role, the production lines up a cast of 12 Scottish women and transposes the setting from the villages of Spain to the tough communities of the East End of Glasgow.

XLC Theatre Company in association with the Citizens
THE PILLOWMAN
By Martin McDonagh
Circle Studio
Tue 22 – Sat 26 September
Back by special invitation, XLC Theatre Company re-create their acclaimed version of The Pillowman that was first presented at the Citizens in February 2009.  A rollercoaster ride of comedy and cruelty, this production is a shocking and macabre examination of authoritarian brutality.

Teatro & The Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
LEAVE TO REMAIN
By Jo Clifford
Circle Studio, Thu 1 October
Following their personal experiences of bereavement, leading playwright Jo Clifford and actor Suzanne Dance created Leave To Remain - a show that uses live music, silence, ritual and storytelling to create an experience that addresses mourning and grief in an uplifting and moving performance. Part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival.

James Seabright & The Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival
TO BE FRANK
Written and Performed by David Benson
Circle Studio, Sat 3 October
Frankie Howerd – the man with the catchphrases - Titter Ye Not! Shut yer faces! Not on your Nellie!  Howerd’s career lurched from despair to triumph and back again, before ending up the toast of a new generation.  This production is the long-awaited follow up to David Benson’s classic Fringe First award winning show Think No Evil of Us – My Life With Kenneth Williams. Part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival.

Scottish Huntington’s Association
ON THE BALL WITH DONNELLY
Main Theatre
Sun 25 October
Featuring Dougie Donnelly, Gordon Smith, Mark McGhee, George Burley and Terry Butcher
Football pundit Dougie Donnelly interviews four key men in Scottish Football in this special charity fundraising evening for the Scottish Huntington’s Association.

A Moment’s Peace Theatre Company
THE CHRONICLES OF IRANIA
Created by Maryam Hamidi & Catrin Evans
Circle Studio
Thu 12 – Sat 14 November
A dynamic one-woman show about the universal search to belong.  Performed on a Persian rug, this fast-paced piece of theatrical storytelling is a funny, yet urgent story about the need to belong, to justify oneself, to be understood and to understand. 

ENDS

For further information, press ticket, interview and picture requests please contact:
Alison Martin, Marketing & Communications Manager
0141 418 6235 / alison@citz.co.uk


NOTES TO EDITORS

Tickets on sale: Monday 22 June, 10am

Box Office: 0141 429 0022
Online booking: WWW.CITZ.CO.UK

LISTINGS INFORMATION (in chronological order)

Edinburgh International Festival & Traverse Theatre
THE LAST WITCH
By Rona Munro
Directed by Dominic Hill
Main Theatre
Fri 14 & Sat 15 August, 7.30pm
Tickets: £7

National Theatre Of Scotland
THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA
By Federico Garcia Lorca/Translated by Rona Munro
Directed by John Tiffany
Main Theatre
Listings: Tue 15 September – Sat 3 October
Previews: Tue 15 & Wed 16 September, 7.30pm
Matinees: Sat 26 September & Sat 3 October, 2.30pm
Audio Described performance: Thu 1 October, 7.30pm
Captioned performance: Fri 2 October, 7.30pm
Signed performance: Sat 3 October, 2.30pm
Post show discussion: Fri 2 October
Tickets: £9.50-£17 (concessions available)
Previews: £4; Tuesdays: £7 any seat.
Recommended for 14+

XLC Theatre Company in association with the Citizens
THE PILLOWMAN
By Martin McDonagh
Directed by David Lee-Michael
Circle Studio
Listings: Tue 22 – Sat 26 September, 7.30pm
Tickets: £10 full price, £7 all concessions

Teatro & The Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
LEAVE TO REMAIN
By Jo Clifford
Circle Studio
Listings: Thu 1 October, 7.30pm
Tickets: £7

James Seabright & The Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival
TO BE FRANK
Written and Performed by David Benson
Circle Studio
Listings: Sat 3 October
Tickets: £7

Citizens Young Co.
LEND ME YOUR EARS
Circle Studio
Directed by Neil Packham
Listings: Thu 8 – Sat 10 October
Tickets: £7 full price, £5 all concessions

Citizens Company
OTHELLO
By William Shakespeare
Main Theatre
Listings: Wed 21 October – Sat 14 November
Previews: Wed 21 & Thu 22 October, 7.30pm
Matinees:  Wed 28 &Thu 29 October, 1.30pm & Sat 7 November, 2pm
Audio Described Performance: Thu 29 October, 7.30pm
Signed Performance: Thu 5 November, 7.30pm
Captioned Performance: Wed 4 November, 7.30pm
Tickets: £9.50-£17 (concessions available)
Previews: £4; Tuesdays: £7 any seat.

Citizens Company
TOPDOG/UNDERDOG
By Suzan-Lori Parks
Directed by Leann O’Kasi
Circle Studio
Listings: Tue 20 October – Sat 7 November, 7.30pm
Previews: Tue 20 & Wed 21 October, 7.30pm

Scottish Huntington’s Association
ON THE BALL WITH DONNELLY
Main Theatre
Listings: Sun 25 October, 7.30pm
Tickets: £15

A Moment’s Peace Theatre Company
THE CHRONICLES OF IRANIA
Created by Maryam Hamidi & Catrin Evans
Directed by Catrin Evans
Circle Studio
Listings: Thu 12 – Sat 14 November, 7.30pm
Tickets: £12 standard (concessions available)
Tuesdays £7

Citizens Company
CINDERELLA
By Alan McHugh
Directed by Jeremy Raison
Main Theatre
Listings: Sat 28 November 2008 – Sat 2 January 2009
Charity Preview: Sat 28 November, 7pm
Audio described performances: Thu 10 Dec, 10.30am & Fri 11 Dec, 7pm
Signed performance: Thu 10 Dec, 7pm
Tickets: Charity preview: Adults £10, Children £6
Standard Adults £10 - £16, child £6 - £9 (concessions available)
Peak Adult £12- £17, child £7-£10 (concessions available)
Family & Friends Ticket Offer: from £30
School & Youth Groups: All child tickets £8 (£9 peak), 1 free teacher with every 10 child tickets bought.

Citizens Community Company
WICKED CHRISTMAS
Cinders’ Revenge
Directed by Neil Packham
Circle Studio
Listings: Wed 16 – Sat 19 December, 7.30pm
Sat 19 December, 7.30pm & 9.30pm
Tickets: £10 full price (concessions available)

WEEKLY DRAMA CLASSES
AUTUMN TERM: 5 September – 22 November 2008 (10 sessions)   

KIDS @ CITZ   (4-12 years )
Saturdays
4-5 years   10.30-11.30am & 2-3pm
6-8 years 11.45am-12.45pm & 3.15-4.15pm & 3.45-5pm
9-12 years 2-3.30pm
Sundays
4-5 years   12 noon-1pm & 3-4pm
6-8 years 1.30-2.30pm, 2-3.15pm & 4.30-5.30pm
9-10 years 12 noon-1.30pm & 2-3.30pm
11-12 years 12 noon-1.30pm & 4-5.30pm

TEENAGERS @ CITZ ( 13-15 years )
Saturdays
13-15 years 3.45-5.15pm
Sundays
13-15 years 4-5.30pm
COST £5.50 per child per session. Full term cost can be paid in one or two installments.

NIGHTSCHOOL
Acting Classes for Adults
AUTUMN TERM:
Level 1: Tue 6 October – Tue 1 December (9 sessions) 7-9pm
Level 2 & 3: Mon 5 October – Mon 30 November (9 sessions) 5.30-7.30pm & 7.30-9.30pm
Mondays from 29 September – 24 November 2008.
Suitable for adults 22 years+
COST: £75 (£50 concession)

MAKE IT WORK
Skills training courses

Presenting With Impact
Date: Thu 12 November

Building Better Relationships
Date: Thu 19 November

Courses can be run at the Citizens Theatre or at your place of business. Interested organisations or individuals should contact Louise Brown on 0141 418 6273 for more information, dates and costs.

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