BLYTHE DUFF IN STAGE DRAMA MARKING 70 YEARS SINCE THE END OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR

Citizens Theatre presents
INTO THAT DARKNESS
By Gitta Sereny
Adapted by Robert David MacDonald
Directed by Gareth Nicholls
Mon 18 May – Sat 30 May 2015, Citizens Theatre
PRESS NIGHT Wed 20 May, 7.30pm

Blythe Duff is to appear on the Citizens stage as author, historian and journalist Gitta Sereny in Into That Darkness, a chilling dramatisation of interviews with a convicted Nazi war criminal, opening at the theatre on Monday 18 May until Saturday 30 May.

In 1970, investigative journalist Gitta Sereny undertook lengthy interviews with SS-Obersturmführer Franz Stangl, who had recently been sentenced to a lifetime’s imprisonment for his role in the deaths of nearly one million people in Nazi extermination camps. The resulting book was dramatised in 1994 by former Citizens Theatre Artistic Director Robert David MacDonald. This new production, staged by the Citizens during its 70th anniversary year, also marks 70 years since the end of World War II.

One of Scotland’s finest actors, Blythe Duff, returns to the Citizens stage to play Sereny. As well as her book chronicling her time with Stangl, Sereny’s work also included profiles and interviews with controversial figures such as convicted child-killer Mary Bell and Albert Speer, one of the few members of the Nazi Party to accept moral responsibility for crimes committed under its regime. Sereny was awarded a CBE in 2003 for her services to journalism, and died in 2012.

Joining Duff on stage in the role of Stangl is Cliff Burnett, most recently seen at the Citizens as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol and as Polonius in Hamlet, both directed by Citizens Theatre Artistic Director Dominic Hill. 

Robert David MacDonald’s adaptation of Sereny’s book was originally produced at the Citizens Theatre under the title In Quest of Conscience. Like the source material, it focuses not on the harrowing events that took place in the camps, but examines how individuals like Stangl can be capable of such crimes, and how they can be prevented in the future.  MacDonald was one of the three artistic leaders of the Citizens Theatre from 1971 – 2003. During this period, the Citizens first became famous around the world for innovative productions of classic texts and challenging new works.

Into That Darkness is directed by Citizens Theatre Main Stage Director in Residence Gareth Nicholls. Appointed in April 2014, Nicholls’ residency at the theatre has seen him assist Artistic Director Dominic Hill on Hill’s production of Hamlet, as well as work alongside staff and creative teams at the Citizens Theatre.  Nicholls’ residency is supported by Creative Scotland’s Creative Futures Programme and the Jerwood Charitable Foundation.

As part of the year-long celebrations of the Citizens’ 70th anniversary at its Gorbals home, all tickets for Into That Darkness, the final production in its Spring 2015 season are available for £15, with previews priced at £8.50 and Tuesday performances at £12.50. Tickets can be purchased by calling 0141 429 0022 or at citz.co.uk

-ENDS-

Citizens Theatre Press Night Wed 20 May, 7.30pm

For more information, interviews and images, or to request tickets, please contact
Keren Nicol, Marketing & Communications Manager .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 0141 418 6233.
Production images will be available to download from the Citizens Theatre flickr feed flickr.com/citizenstheatre

LISTINGS
Citizens Theatre presents
INTO THAT DARKNESS
By Gitta Sereny
Directed by Gareth Nicholls
Designed by Neil Haynes

Cast: Cliff Burnett, Blythe Duff
Dates: 18 – 30 May 2015, 7.30pm

Previews: Mon 18 & Tue 19 May, 7.30pm
Matinee:  Sat 30 May, 2.30pm
BSL interpreted performance: Fri 29 May, 7.30pm
Audio Described performance: Wed 27 May, 7.30pm
Captioned performance:  Sat 30 May, 2.30pm

Tickets: 50p - £15
Previews £8.50 │Tuesdays £12.50
50p Tickets | 10 tickets, 10 performances on sale at 10am Saturday 16 May
NB – 50p Tickets must be bought in person at the theatre, cash only.

Box Office: 119 Gorbals Street, Glasgow, G5 9DS | 0141 429 0022
Open Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm
citz.co.uk (£2 transaction fee applies to online sales. No charge for in person and telephone sales)

EVENTS
Into That Darkness Curtain Raiser
Thu 21 May, 6pm – 6.45pm. £4 (£3 concessions)
Director Gareth Nicholls discusses the role of biographers

Into That Darkness Post Show Discussion
Tue 26 May, immediately following the 7.30pm performance.
Free to ticket holders

Solar Bear, the Citizens Theatre runs regular events for deaf or hard of hearing patrons on the same evening as our British Sign Language signed performances. Ticket price includes ticket to the show,  BSL signed introduction to the show and feedback session post show.
Text 07900852595 to book

NOTES TO EDITORS
Citizens Theatre Main Stage Director in Residence
The Main Stage Director in Residence post was created to support a mid-career director to effect change in their professional skills and practice. Gareth Nicholls was appointed to the post in April 2014, beginning in August 2014 when he assisted Dominic Hill on Hill’s highly-acclaimed production of Hamlet. A graduate of the Contemporary Theatre practice course at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Gareth has also held posts as an Emerging Artist with National Theatre of Scotland and an Imaginate Artist in Residence.

The post was originally offered in partnership with Stewart Laing’s Untitled Projects.  Following funding cuts in December 2014, Untitled Projects announced that they would no longer be making work together.

More information about Gareth Nicholls can be found on his blog.

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