Cider with Rosie Press Release
FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY
Recall the Nostalgic Bygone Idyll of Rural Newbury in Poetic Theatre, Cider with Rosie
Evocative, charming and lyrical theatre recalls memories of a rural idyll, similar to bygone days of rural Newbury. Cider with Rosie is an exciting new adaptation of poet Laurie Lee’s celebrated novel of the same name. Touring this spring from the Theatre Royal Bury St. Edmunds, Cider with Rosie will be at Corn Exchange, Newbury on Monday 29 – Wednesday 31 March.
A bygone age of innocence and simplicity, where the speed of life was no faster than the quiet plod of a horse and plough. Laurie Lee’s recollections of growing up in the Slad Valley, Gloucestershire and rural living from 1917 have won the hearts of countless readers through his memoirs and poems.
We join Laurie and his siblings as they step into the dreamlike world of memory, recalling the defining experiences of their youth: charabanc outings to Weston-super-Mare; frozen white winters and blazing orange summers; the rough and tumble of the family kitchen; tyrannical teacher Old Crabby; the warring ancient rival Grannies Trill and Wallon; and of course that first, unforgettable, cider-fuelled encounter in the harvest fields.
Cider with Rosie is a new version of Laurie’s story, with six actors performing together with energy and verve to bring his family to life with live music and original songs.
The script is created entirely from Laurie Lee’s novel alongside a selection of Lee’s poems set to music. The beauty of his language is brought to life through his surprising and often humorous imagery. In this production the memories are spoken not just by Laurie but by his family too. Having an ensemble tell the story adds great energy to the piece, provides different perspectives and recalls how through shared experiences people are brought closer together.
The staging of the play reflects the hazy quality of memories, with objects of home and countryside placed around the stage or suspended above it. Beautiful and ethereal at times and harsh and sad at others, the play parallels the seasons of the countryside. The music and Laurie Lee’s evocative language evoke all the emotions and adventures of childhood.
The Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds is one of the last three Georgian Theatre’s in the UK and presents a year-round programme of professional drama, music, dance and light entertainment. It has been a producing house for over 10 years, creating a huge variety of productions and working on everything from Georgian revivals to new writing, Shakespeare, children’s work and adaptations of popular novels.
Cider with Rosie will be at Corn Exchange, Newbury on Monday 29 – Wednesday 31 March at 7.45pm. There will be a post show discussion after the Monday show and tickets are £15 (£13 concs, £45 Family).
Notes to Editors
Cast
Joannah Tincey
Liam Tobin
TJ Holmes
Antony Eden
Devon Black
Amy Humphreys
Abigail Anderson - Director
Mark Howland - Lighting Designer
Dora Schweitzer – Designer
T J Holmes - Composer
Andy Stubbs - Production Manager
Lynsey Fraser - Stage manager
Sharron Stowe - Producer
Sarah Jane McElhatton - ASM
Nicola Fitchett - Costume supervisor
For interviews, further information or images please contact Ruth Cadiot at ruthc@cornexchangnew.co.uk
or 01635 582666 ext. 248 or Verity Shaw veritys@cornexchangenew.co.uk ext. 249