Cyrano - Freely adapted from "Cyrano de Bergerac" by Edmond Rostand and Steve Martin's film "Roxanne", this comedy set in the north east of England tells the story of Cy Smith, a middle-aged man with a secret. Cy is an internationally renowned poet whose true identity is a mystery to all except his literary agent. In order to preserve this identity, he works as a refuse collector and often frequents his local pub. One day a new barmaid, Roxy, starts work there and not only Cy but also another regular, Chris, a local jack-the-lad, fall for her. Mister Digweed, in the role of pub landlord, is the perfect foil for Cy's humour. We watch as Cy, using a mobile telephone and the power to imitate voices, masquerades as Chris to win Roxy’s affections with funny and poignant results in a comedy in which nobody is who they seem. Featuring music from Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music, The Stranglers, The Clash and Alison Moyet.
“I loved “Cyrano”! The show made me laugh and almost cry! The actors were sensational and the script full of spirit and life. Colleges and schools should study this excellent text!” “I think the show is really funny and I didn’t stop laughing all the way through the show." “A masterpiece, full of jokes and laughs” “Good direction, good writing and a wonderful interpretation applauded by a transfixed audience.” “Brilliant! A great success! A jewel!” “The Director and writer has studied the original version deeply in order to revitalise the story. It’s the mix of comedy and the tragedy that moves the audience through various emotions without forcing them. The humour makes you laugh and the audiences identify with the characters so well that the audiences applauded long after the show finished.” |
Harry's Dream - For Schools: Set in an imagined school playground, Harry’s Dream tells the story of a young bright boy whose healthy growth and schooling is upset by bullying classmate “Killer”. Unsure what to do and or who to tell and not wanting to resort to violence himself, Harry is on the point of despair when an alien spaceship crash-lands behind the bike sheds and out jumps a Green Girl. She hears about Harry’s predicament and, after repairing her engine, shows Harry how to fight bullies none aggressively.
. . . My Brother Jake - For Schools: Mark, 13, worships his brother Jake, 17. Together the boys and their widowed Mum grow up in frugal poverty and battle for sense and identity against a background of social deprivation. But Jake is running before he has learnt to walk and when arrested for dealing, his secrets unravel in a series of events that incarcerate him and almost ruin the lives of others. “My Brother Jake” was first performed in October 1997 at Durham. Researched, with the help of Middlesbrough police’s Sgt. Brian Wilde, and using thinking of that time to inform and educate young people to the consequences of their actions, the show was performed 35 times over two years to secondary school students 12 – 15 years of age. “Excellent. Very professional.” - Sergeant Brian Wilde, Middlesbrough Police . . . Scars - For Schools: The end of another school day and the kids are being ferried home on the school bus. Suddenly, outside there is an explosion of glass and a woman screams, clutching her face as it emerges somebody has thrown a bottle from the bus window. Three suspects are gradually filtered out in scenes and monologues exploring vandalism and small town life. Finally, the culprit acts. “Scars” was commissioned by Durham County Council to complement an “awareness” campaign following a number of dangerous incidents involving pupils on school buses. The storyline grew out of a number of true events. “Scars” touches on complex issues such as young people’s attitudes, their relationships with adults and vandalism. “Brilliant!” – Wolsingham School and Community College “Excellent!” – Durham City Arts . . . Eddie - Eddie, an 80-something ex-north eastern English miner and now widower, slowly packs his belongings with his adolescent grandson, as he prepares to leave the council flat he has lived in for most of his life for a retirement home. Each object holds a memory. Through songs and stories of working class life, it is an age that at first seems removed and alien to our own and yet slowly becomes more tangible. An affectionate look at the Twentieth century based in part of the working life of my own grandfather. . . . The Key - Written entirely in verse, helps primary age children become aware of the dangers of bad decision-making in the world of household and legal drugs. . . . Colours - 'Colours' 1999 is a reaction to racism |
