University News Last updated 14 December 2010
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Nana - A unique window of opportunity into 19th century Parisian society
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Fires are becoming a problem around town in The Arsonists
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Reviving The Suicide in its original text after being banned in USSR
Having received rave audience reviews for its Autumn Season shows, Birmingham School of Acting (part of Birmingham City University) launched its Winter Season on 1 December at The Crescent Theatre, Brindley Place.
Opening the Season in the Crescent Theatre Main House is Émile Zola’s Nana Directed by Malachi Bogdanov (nominated for best drama film The Mandrake Root at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Award in 2008). Adapted by Olwen Wymark, Nana tells the story of a young, beautiful, working-class prostitute in 19th Century Paris, who makes her way into high society. Pairing the original text with contemporary music, this brilliant, fast-moving production is full of dance, music and strong characterisation – making the somewhat alien Parisian society of the 1860s accessible to modern audiences.
Playing in the Crescent Studio concurrently with Nana is The Arsonists. Written by the Swiss playwright Max Frisch, it tells the story of Mr Biedermann, a well-respected member of the community with a loving wife and a flourishing business, who believes that nothing can get to him, until one day unexpectedly some new houseguests arrive….
Adam Barnard, directing The Arsonists says: “The Arsonists is a madcap, really crazy, off-the-wall, fun comedy. It’s a play that you will not see anywhere else, as everything revolves around health and safety - from most of the set being built from cardboard to firemen on standby!”
Finally, the Patrick Centre (Birmingham Hippodrome) hosts the close of the season and sees the year with a bang in Nikolai Erdman’s play The Suicide. Directed by Dominic Colenso, the controversial play centres on Semyon, unemployed, living in a shared apartment block and watching his wife, Masha, slave away all the hours God sends. When his last hope to earn a crust and gain some self-respect disappears, he decides to take his own life. Word gets out of his intention and he finds himself inundated with visitors begging him to die on their behalf. On the day he is to shoot himself they hold a party at which point events spiral to a glorious climax. It’s not a panto…. Or is it…? One thing’s for sure – it’s absurd, funny, and thought-provoking; a mixture of the ridiculous and the sublime.
Birmingham School of Acting’s Winter Season follows a hugely successful Autumn Season, which featured Dr Faustus, Big Love and Spring Awakening – A New Musical. Of the latter, audience members commented:
“The quality shone throughout. There were lovely murmurings as we walked out of how well it compared and possibly bettered the Edinburgh Fringe version this year”.(Roy Felstead)
“The performance [of Spring Awakening] was one of the best we have seen at The Crescent over the last couple of years. Everyone should be very proud” (Belinda Fleming)
Bookings for Nana and The Arsonists plays can be made through the Crescent Theatre Box Office (T: 0121 643 5858 / www.crescent-theatre.co.uk). The Suicide booking is made at Birmingham Hippodrome Box Office (0844 338 5000)
Tickets for all shows cost £7, with a concessionary rate of £5 available to over-60s, unemployed people and individuals booking in a group of five or more. £2.50 for student with a valid ID card.