My Name is Rachel Corrie Media Release

Taken from the writings of Rachel Corrie
Edited by Alan RIckman & KAtherine Viner

Tues 2 – Sat 20 March 2010

This spring the Citizens Theatre gives voice to the writings of peace activist, Rachel Corrie.  Adapted for the stage from Rachel’s own letters, emails and journals My Name is Rachel Corrie is the story of a young girl determined to take a stand against injustice, told entirely in her own words.

On March 16, 2003, Rachel Corrie, a twenty-three-year-old American, was killed by an Israeli bulldozer in the Gaza Strip as she was trying to prevent the demolition of Palestinian homes.  My Name is Rachel Corrie is a one-woman play composed from Rachel’s own writings – creating a portrait of a messy, skinny, articulate, Salvador Dali-loving chain-smoker (with a passion for the music of Pat Benatar), who left home and school in Olympia, Washington, “to support non-violent resistance to Israel’s military occupation”.

Rachel’s original writings were edited by British actor Alan Rickman and Guardian editor Katharine Viner. The resulting verbatim theatre play was first presented in April 2005 at the Royal Court Theatre London to critical acclaim and has since been performed all over the world.  The Guardian said of the adaptation, “Theatre can’t change the world.  But what it can do, when it’s as good as this, is to send us out enriched by other people’s passionate concern.”

A solo monologue, this Citizens Theatre company production will be performed in the intimacy of the Stalls studio by Mairi Philips, the theatre’s current Actor Intern. Her roles to date include Bianca in Othello and Vanity in Cinderella, as well as a work in progress of The Red Shoes by TAG, in collaboration with Dancehouse.

The production is directed by Ros Philips and is her debut as incumbent Trainee Director at the theatre. Ros is a movement director, acting teacher, actress and director with a 14 year portfolio of theatre practice working in rep theatre, touring companies, drama schools and universities. 

She said of the show, “Rachel wrote vociferously and like all writers had a hunger for the truth that led her to her political convictions.  I believe the notion of idealism is an uncomfortable one for a audience, and the challenge of this show is, not just bringing Rachel’s words to life, but to examine how idealism contributes to politics and society today. 

“The play is an important documentation of a moment in the history of a conflict that continues to defy any kind of peace agreement seven years later.” 

Rachel Corrie’s writings have been translated into Arabic, Hebrew, French, Italian and Spanish and are recognised as a powerfully honest insight into one of the most complicated international political conflicts.

ENDS

For more details, images or to arrange an interview contact:
Cat McNaught: 0141 418 6233 / cat@citz.co.uk

OR speak to my colleagues in marketing – Alison Martin 0141 418 6235 / alison@citz.co.uk or Helen Black 0141 418 6272 / helen.black@tag-theatre.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Trainee Director post is supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation & the Citizens Theatre Society.
2. The Actor Intern post is supported by The Robertson Trust. 
3. For further information about The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice -  rachelcorriefoundation.org    

LISTINGS

Citizens Theatre presents
MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE
Taken from the writings of Rachel Corrie
Edited by Alan Rickman and Katherine Viner

DATES: Tue 2 – Sat 20 March, 7.30pm
PREVIEWS: Tue 2 and Wed 3 March, 7.30pm
PRICES: All tickets £12 (concessions available), Previews £4, Tuesdays £7.
BOX OFFICE: 0141 429 0022 www.citz.co.uk

PRESS NIGHT: Thursday 4 March, 7.30pm

CAST
PERFORMED BY MAIRI PHILLIPS

PRODUCTION TEAM
DIRECTOR – ROS PHILPS
DESIGNER - NEIL HAYNES
LIGHTING DESIGNER – COLIN BELL

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