Stage: Barbaric
New Venture Theatre’s new production of Amongst Barbarians is as relevant today as it was 25 years ago
A mongst Barbarians is a wonderfully amusing but thought-provoking play that examinines the intricacy of family life in an alien environment – playing for the highest stakes of all… LIFE.
Set in Penang, Malaysia, and based upon a true story, Amongst Barbarians focuses on two young Englishmen facing the death penalty for drug trafficking.
Their boisterous families, their lawyer and their gaoler all follow their complex journey to an uncertain destiny. Both drama and comedy spring from unlikely places as cultures collide.
The play, which launched Kathy Burke’s career, is funny, tragic and thought-provoking. First published and premiered in 1989 at the Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester, it is still as relevant today as it was 25 years ago. Amongst Barbarians won the 1989 Mobil Playwriting Award.
The play was later made into a TV movie for the BBC and starred David Jason, Anne Carroll, Rowena Cooper, Con O’Neill and Lee Ross.
This new production will be set in the round of NVT’s studio with an excellent cast. This production contains swearing as well as strobe lighting, and is therefore not suitable for younger children.
‘Amongst Barbarians’ directed by Sean Lippett-Fall runs from 3rd to 11th October 2014.
3rd-11th October, 7.45pm.
Matinee: Sun 5th October, 2.30pm.
No evening performance on Sundays and Mondays.
Tickets for the show are available – £9 (Final Fri/Sat £10), Preview Night Fri and
Tues tickets £8, and can be purchased online at www.newventure.org.uk
For further details phone Box Office Information on 01273 746118.
