stage@leeds Spring 2020 Brochure

stage@leeds Spring 2020

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Welcome to stage@leeds Hi, Another new year is upon us and one in which stage@leeds and the University of Leeds will continue to increase our efforts to achieve a sustainable future. The stage@leeds bar has been single use plastic free since December 2018 and we are constantly changing and evolving our policies to the goal of becoming carbon neutral.

I’m excited to announce that our youth theatre, The stage@leedsyoungcompany, will become, as far as we know, the first ‘sustainable youth theatre’. Everything the stage@ leedsyoungcompany does will be underpinned by a commitment to ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’. We hope to eventually create carbon neutral theatre but we face many challenges and hurdles. It’s a long road but one that the youth theatre participants understand and are enthusiastic about taking. I’m extremely proud that our youth theatre participants want to lead by example and want to create exciting theatre that also respects the planet.

ScreamingMediaProductions

Gi60

The International One Minute Theatre Festival NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS Gi60 (Gone in 60 Seconds) the worlds only international one minute theatre festival returns to Leeds in it’s 16th record breaking year.

Each year we select one hundred brand new one minute plays to be performed live, 50 at stage@leeds and 50 in New York. If you would like to be part of the biggest little theatre festival in the world www.Gi60.Blogspot.co.uk Deadline for Submissions: Midnight April 1st 2020

For more information about stage@leeds, our activities and our commitment to becoming carbon neutral please visit our website.

I look forward to seeing you at the theatre All the best

Steve Ansell

stage@leeds: Sustainable Theatre Living Lab

Wed 03 June 7.30pm Stage One £7.50 (£5.00)

Joss Arnott

Emergence Emergence, the postgraduate dance company of Joss Arnott Dance and the University of Salford, returns with two new works and the chance to see a reimagining of one of Joss Arnott’s most acclaimed productions.

Wubkje Kuindersma presents ‘FUEL’, a work inspired by the energy of this young, vital company whilst James Wilton’s physical and detailed ‘An Event’ was inspired by Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and asks how we feel in that moment between everything being fine and everything falling to pieces. Joss Arnott completes the triple bill with ‘When Worlds Collide’, his exhilarating, technical masterclass featuring an original, cinematic music score and stunning lighting.

George Manson

The Dinner Party

by George Manson

‘Well, I’ve got something a little bit special this evening.

Good thing you’re hungry.’

In the post-apocalyptic near future, civilisation has not ended, in fact Valerie and Jim are hosting a dinner party for Greg and Fiona.

What starts as an evening of pleasantries devolves into the grim, bleak nature of humanity. ‘The Dinner Party’ is a one-act absurd comedy tackling social constructs, human relationships, and ignorance.

Tue 28 Jan 7.30pm Stage One £12.00 (£10.00)

Fri 07 - Sat 08 Feb 7.30p,m Alec Clegg Studio £9.00 (£7.00)

Filthy Shakespeare Company

R&J R&D

Devika Rao Dance Academy

Dances of India

Did you know that Shakespeare was censored?

In 1737, The Licensing Act introduced censorship to UK stages. Theatrical archeologists the Filthy Shakespeare Company are trying to discover what LGBT+ content was lost and asking questions about how it can be put back in.

In partnership with Stage@leeds, James E Lynch India and South Asia Business Center and in the presence of The Lord Mayor of Leeds, and the Consul General of India, Devika Dance Theatre presents ‘Dances of India 2020’ stage@leeds associate artist Devika Rao reflects on the diverse cultural traditions of India and Indian Dance with performances by academy students and invited guest artists.

Free afternoon workshops Indian Dance, Music and Yoga from 2pm everybody welcome. Full details will posted on the stage@leeds facebook page www.facebook.com/stageleeds/

Tue 11 Feb. 7.30pm Stage One £PWYF

Sat 15 Feb 5.00pm Stage One £12.00 (£9.00)

LUU Theatre Group

Random Acts

by Alan Fraser

James Petrie is a minister living in rural Scotland with his daughter Larissa and wife Hannah. When Hal Devereaux, an American businessman, arrives late one night, it seems just another burden for an overworked minister. However, Hal may not be as charming as he first seems

Tue 11 - Thur 13 Feb. 7.00pm Banham Theatre £9.00 (£7.00)

LUU Open Theatre

Meathead

Meathead is a dark comedy about Mikey, a thirty-year-old bodybuilder and personal trainer. In his quest for hyper-masculinity, Mikey ironically loses many of the traits he values the most, Meathead looks at toxic masculinity and male fears of insecurity through a character with an interesting but believable set of contradictions.

Tue 18 - Thur 20 Feb 7.00pm Banham Theatre £9.00 (£7.00)

LUU Theatre Group

Posh

by Laura Wade

LUU Open Theatre

Normal

by Anthony Neilson

The man that stands before you today is a monster.

Normal is Anthony Neilson’s gripping semifictional account of Peter Kurten, also known as the Dusseldorf Ripper, who is believed to have murdered up to 60 men, women, and children. Legal prodigy Justus Wehner tries desperately to prove that Kurten is insane - a product of the brutality he experienced as a child - but increasingly finds himself inexplicably drawn to the charisma of the self-confessed killer. By using starkly poetic language, jarring cut scenes and absurdist comedy, Nelson takes us into the mind of a man infatuated with evil.

As he delves further into the darkness of his client’s psyche, Wehner learns firsthand that morality and sanity are not as simple as they seem.

“It’s a simple question; Do we bear monsters?

Or do we create them?”

Ten members of an exclusive Oxford University Gentlemen’s Dining Club are meeting for an evening of elitist extravagance. As the alcohol flows, banter descends into bullying and animosities begin to surface. Tensions are scrutinised, friendships shattered and the climax of the soiree holds devastating consequences for everybody involved.

Thur 27 - Sat 29 Feb 7.30pm Stage One £9.00 (£7.00)

Thur 05 - Sat 07 March 7.30pm Alec Clegg Studio £9.00 (£7.00)

LUU Theatre Group

Pterodactyls

by Nicky Silver

LUU Open Theatre

Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons

140 words a day.

Oliver and Bernadette are a couple who are figuring out what it’s like to be with each other, which becomes even more difficult when the government passes the Hush Law - a law that limits you to speaking 140 words a day.

We see their relationship develop, in good and bad ways, as they struggle with the political climate and with the new dynamics that their relationship has to adopt. From cat cemeteries, to gagging yourself at night so you don’t talk in your sleep, to singing at the top of your lungs ‘till you run out of words, Oliver and Bernadette really learn to live through the hardships together; In 140 words.

Thur 12 - Sat 14 March 6.30pm Alec Clegg Studio £9.00 (£7.00)

The Duncan’s, a ‘picture perfect’ family bumbling through life in a denial-induced frenzy.

Nicky Silvers Pterodactyls is an absurdist farce and a speculation on our species that encompasses comedy and extreme melancholy.

Thur 12 - Sat 14 March 8.30pm Stage One £9.00 (£7.00)

PCI Production

Sdnuorgkcab MA Performance Design

PCI Production

Pages

The world beyond the pages The pages that spoke to the world

An exciting, experimental production celebrating modern scenography presented by students on the Performance Design Master’s programme.

With a diverse range of backgrounds and interests catalysed by teaching in the school of Performance and Cultural Industries, this promises to be a production that will excite and challenge audience members.’

Mon 23 March TBC Alec Clegg Studio £PYTF

The wild imaginations of the chaos and horror that surrounded them. The brave few who struggled to protect others. Those that reigned terror upon their victims.

A performance, using adaptation of texts, to explore stories of those in hiding and those whose job it was to track them down.

Betrayal and loss.

Courage and hope.

How did they hide? What lengths did they go to survive?

Thur 26- Sat 28 March Times TBC Stage One £9.00 (£7.00)

Dominick Haider

Tango

By Sławomir Mrożek

PCI Production

Maleficarum Maleficarum (adjective) Derived from the Latin ‘Maleficus’ – evil. Witchcraft.

For its 55th anniversary, Tango is coming to Leeds. One of the most recognisable Polish plays is making a comeback in English. A clever play which mocks both the obsessives holding onto the past, and those letting go of all norms. In a world divided by politics, nothing is certain anymore. Step into the house of a family where everything is upside down.

Arthur, a young student, lives in the house of avant-garde artist, Miles, and his wife Eleanor. Their home is as timeless as the play, with scattered items from decades past and those from today. The play explores a family who struggle to find balance; some stick to strict rules, and others disregard them entirely. Mrożek tries to merge modernity with tradition through his characters, wanting to show the audience how these can both conflict and thrive together.

Queens and Saints, Wise Women and innocent outcasts - all have been labelled witches.

The fear of evil spirits is real, trouble looms, strange things happen and hysteria spreads like wildfire. The tensions between religion and witchcraft create mass paranoia, as a world of ritual and madness is brought to light.

Do you know how to identify a witch?

Stage rights

by Diogenes Verlag AG Zürich

Wed 29 April - Fri 01 May 7.30pm Alec Clegg Studio £9.00 (£7.00)

Wed 06, Thur 07, Sat 09 May Times TBC Stage One £9.00 (£7.00)

Dionysia Bouzioti

Medea: [M]otherness

Bloomin Buds Theatre Company

Road

by Jim Cartwright

Stronger than lover’s love is lover’s hate

Gritty, raw and deeply funny come and join Scullery for a night in the 80’s.

Jim Cartwright’s Road is a humerous and moving portrayal of the lives of working class people in a deprived area of Lancashire during the government of Margaret Thatcher.

Directed by Amelia Lloyd and Leah Hand

stage@leeds spring 2020

Fri 15 - Sat 16 May Times TBC Stage One £ 9.00 (£7.00)

Creative opportunities stage@leeds ProfessionalArtistDevelopment

stage@leeds

YoungEntrepreneursProgramme

The PAD (Professional Artist Development) programme supports professional theatre and dance makers with a free rehearsal space, and technical support, in a relaxed and creative environment. The programme runs during the Summer and Easter breaks. Please contact Steve Ansell for more details: s.ansell@leeds.ac.uk

YEP (Young Entrepreneurs’ Programme) provides professional support and mentoring to students interested in a career as theatre makers together with the opportunity to produce work for performance at stage@leeds. Many YEP companies and company members including Forget About The Dog and Manic Chord have gone on to highly successful careers within the creative industries. If you would like to be considered for the YEP programme or would like more information please contact Steve Ansell: s.ansell@leeds.ac.uk

Stage One Theatre 180 Capacity (as seen) 10 x 12m stage space (end on) Fully retractable seating

Alec Clegg Studio 52 Capacity (as seen) 8 x 7m stage space (end on) Fully retractable seating

Booking stage@leeds Putting on your work at stage@leeds

Hiring our spaces

stage@leeds programmes two seasons of work each year, Sept - Dec and Jan - June. We programme at least three months in advance and all the work is curated by the Artistic Director and the theatre’s creative team. We are always looking for exciting and dynamic new work so let us know about your work. Include links to any reviews, images, videos of your work for evaluation. Please contact Steve Ansell: s.ansell@leeds.ac.uk

stage@leeds is available for conferences, seminars and corporate events. We have two theatres, a mirrored dance studio, box office, fully licensed bar and foyer area. Event catering can be arranged. We have extensive lighting, sound and AV equipment throughout and our skilled technical team are always happy to discuss your requirements. If you would like further information about hiring any of our spaces please contact Steve Ansell: s.ansell@leeds.ac.uk

Dance Studio 9.9m x 8.4m P.A with Bluetooth, CD, SD and aux playback

stage@leeds Foyer and Bar A fully licensed flexible space for conferences and events

How to find us

The University campus is a pleasant 20 minute walk from Leeds city station. Just follow the directions below and you’ll be with us in n­o time at all: Come out of the station into City square; with the Queens Hotel behind you, walk straight up Park Row. Continue up Park Row until the first major junction. Cross straight over The Headrow and continue up Cookridge Street. At the next set of lights go straight on passing Millennium Square on your left and Leeds City Museum on your right.

Turn left on to Woodhouse Lane, a busy main road. You’ll pass Leeds Beckett University on your left and our University campus begins in another 50 metres or so, on your left. To reach the Parkinson building, carry on up Woodhouse Lane to the clock tower building.

You’ll be able to look at a map of campus there and plan where to go next.

Regular bus services from the city centre stop outside the University Parkinson Building entrance. For details of timetable and service telephone 0113 245 7676

A - The Parkinson Building B - The Great Hall C - stage@leeds* D - Banham Theatre E - Workshop Theatre *for Stage One and the Alec Clegg Studio

Date Production

Time

Price

Emergence (Joss Arnott)

7.30pm

£12.00 (£10.00) S

The Dinner Party (George Manson) R&J R&D (Filthy Shakespeare) Random Acts (LUU TG) Dances of India (Devika Rao) Meathead (LUU OT) Posh (LUU TG)

7.30pm 7.30pm 7.00pm 5.00pm 7.00pm 7.30pm

£9.00 (£7.00) £PWYF £9.00 (£7.00) £12.00 (£9.00) £9.00 (£7.00) £9.00 (£7.00)

A S B S B S

Normal (LUU OT) Pterodactyls (LUU TG) Lemons, Lemons, Lemons... (LUU TG) Sdnuorgkcab (PCI Prduction) Pages (PCI Production)

7.30pm 6.30pm 8.30pm TBC TBC

£9.00 (£7.00) £9.00 (£7.00) £9.00 (£7.00) £PWYF £9.00 (£7.00)

A A S A S

7.30pm

£9.00 (£7.00)

A

01 Tango (Dominick Haider) 06 - 09* Maleficarum (PCI Production) 15 - 16 Road (Bloomin Buds)

7.30pm TBC 7.30pm

£9.00 (£7.00) £9.00 (£7.00) £9.00 (£7.00)

A S S

June 03

7.30pm

£7.50 (£5.00)

S

Jan 28

Feb

07 - 08 11 11 - 13 15 18 - 20 27 - 29

March

05 - 07 12 - 14 12 - 14 23 26 - 28

April

29 - 30 Tango (Dominick Haider)

May

Gi60 (ScreamingMediaProductions)

Venue

*No performance on Friday 08 May due to bank holiday.

Venue Key: A B S W

The Alec Clegg Studio Banham Theatre Stage One Workshop Theatre

PWYF = pay what you feel

Box Office: 0113 343 8730 www.stage.leeds.ac.uk stage@leeds University of Leeds LS2 9JT