ANNA KARENINA & THE ROLLING STONE

Making her Playhouse debut, Olivier-nominated Ellen McDougall directs Jo Clifford’s stripped back, contemporary adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel ANNA KARENINA. One of the most famous love stories of all time, Tolstoy’s epic masterpiece explores what happens when two very different couples grapple with the strongest emotion – love.This is the Playhouse’s second partnership with Royal Exchange Theatre following the huge success of SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET in autumn 2013. ANNA KARENINAruns in the Courtyard in an exciting new traverse format from the 9 May – 13 June.

Anna is the envy of St. Petersburg society. Glamorous and admired, but locked in a lonely marriage, her sudden but passionate love affair with Count Vronsky turns her world on its head and puts at risk everything she has ever known. In a parallel story, Levin is trying to live justly in a social system built on injustice. When his love for a childhood friend ends unhappily, he tries to deny its existence. But like Anna discovers he cannot.

Ony Uhiara, who takes the title role, was last seen in the world premiere of Rory Mullarkey’s CANNIBALS. Other recent theatre credits include EYE OF A NEEDLE (Southwark Playhouse); IDOMENEUS (Gate Theatre); THE EL TRAIN (Hoxton Hall); ILLUSIONS (Actors Touring Company); SIXTY SIX BOOKS (The Bush Theatre); MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (The Globe). ). Film credits include: VENUS and SIXTY 6 and recent TV credits work includes LAW AND ORDER, STOLEN, WHITE VAN MAN and CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

The cast also includes Robert Gilbert as Count Vronsky, Anthony Barclay, Donna Berlin, Claire Brown, John Cummins, Ryan Early,Jonathan Keeble and Gillian Saker.

Director Ellen McDougall received an Olivier nomination for her 2010 production of IVAN AND THE DOGS (ATC, Soho, UK tour and Rustaveli Theatre, Georgia). Other recent credits include TELLING TALES (Almeida); PHILOCTETES (Unicorn) SHOWS 1 and 2 (Secret Theatre) for Lyric Theatre Hammersmith; SPRING AWAKENING and IDOMENEUS (Gate Theatre) and NOT NOW BERNARD (Unicorn Theatre and touring).

Writer Jo Clifford is the author of over 70 plays, many of which have been performed all over the world. These include LOSING VENICE, EVERY ONE, FAUST, THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE and GREAT EXPECTATIONS. Last year she revived her GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JESUS QUEEN OF HEAVEN.

Designer Joanna Scotcher trained at the Royal Shakespeare Company and she received the Whatsonstage ‘Best Set Designer’ Award for her site specific design of THE RAILWAY CHILDREN. Other recent credits include PESTS (Clean Break and The Royal Court), ANTIGONE (Pilot Theatre) and A HARLEM DREAM (young Vic and Dance Umbrella).

Playing alongside ANNA KARENINA, Chris Urch’s 2013 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting winner THE ROLLING STONE will play in tandem from 9 – 23 May. Also directed by Ellen McDougall – and drawing from the same cast and creative team – it tells a very different story of lovers at odds with society.

Dembe and Sam have been seeing each other for a while. They should be wondering where this is going and when to introduce each other to their families. But they’re gay and this is Uganda. The consequences of their relationship being discovered will be violent and explosive. Especially for Dembe, whose brother goes to into the pulpit each week to denounce the evil of one man loving another.

Writer Chris Urch trained at the Drama Centre as an actor. In February 2012, he was selected as one of the 503Fiv, an 18-month residency with Theatre503. His commissioned play LAND OF OUR FATHERS debuted there to critical acclaim and a sold-out run and one of Time Out’s Best theatre of 2013. After receiving the Bruntwood Prize for THE ROLLING STONE, he is now on attachment at Royal Exchange Theatre. Chris is also a graduate of the Royal Court Theatre’s Young Writers Programme.

The cast includes Sule Rimi, Robert Gilbert, Fiston Barek, Donna Berlin, Ony Uhiara, Faith Omole.

Evening performances: Tues – Sat 7.45pm

Matinees: Thu 14, 21, 28 May, 4, 11 June 2pm, Sat 30 May, 6, 13 June 2.30pm
Post Show Discussion: Tues 19 May 7.45pm

Audio Described Performance:  Thu 11 June 2pm, Sat 13 June 7.45pm

Captioned Performance: Fri 12 June 7.45pm

BSL Interpreted Performance: Tues 9 June 7.45pm

Tickets: £28 – £12, schools, groups and concs available

Evening performances: Tues 12, Wed 13, Thu 14 21, Fri 22, Sat 23 May 7.45pm

Matinee:  Sat 23 May 2.30pm

Tickets: £28 – £12, schools, groups and concs available

Box office 0113 213 7700 and online wyp.org.uk

West Yorkshire Playhouse has a reputation both nationally and internationally as a leading UK producing theatre. The theatre is a cultural hub, a place where people gather to tell and share stories and to engage in world class theatre. From large scale spectacle to intimate performance the Playhouse develops and makes work for the stage, for found spaces, for touring, for schools and community venues. Alongside work for the stage the Playhouse is dedicated to providing creative engagement opportunities, building and running sustainable projects that reach out to a diverse range of communities. Supporting new and emerging artists is key and the theatre provides creative space for new writers, emerging directors, companies and individual theatre makers to refine their practice. Work for 2015 includes a new version of UNCLE VANYA directed by Mark Rosenblatt, LITTLE SURE SHOT – a new commission by Lucy Rivers, THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE directed by James Brining and the redevelopment of Brining’s award-winning production of SWEENEY TODD with the WNO and WMC.

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester is one of the leading theatres in the UK. Producing a repertoire of up to twelve productions a year in its 750 seat permanent theatre in the round and the 100 seat Studio, the company is passionate about what theatre can offer. It aims to present great writing in quality productions that tell intimate and epic stories that entertain, provoke and inspire. It collaborates with some of the most innovative and original theatre makers in the country and works in partnership with different communities to help them express themselves creatively. The company trains, develops and mentors future generations of theatre artists making the Exchange a place for people to meet talk work and relax in the heart of the vibrant city of Manchester