Bristol Old Vic and Lyceum Edinburgh announce two casts for double co-productions this Autumn
24 Jul 2018
Bristol Old Vic and Lyceum Edinburgh join forces this autumn for two ambitious co-productions.
Casting for both Touching the Void and Twelfth Night was announced today, heralding the first two-production partnership between leading regional theatrical powerhouses, Bristol Old Vic and The Lyceum, Edinburgh.
In September, Tom Morris (The Grinning Man, Swallows & Amazons, War Horse) will direct the first stage version of Touching the Void, adapted by David Greig (The Events, The Suppliant Women, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). This production marks the first time the two Artistic Directors have creatively collaborated and will run at Bristol Old Vic from 8 Sep – 6 Oct, before going onto Royal & Derngate, Northampton (9–20 Oct), reaching The Lyceum (24 Jan until 16 Feb 2019) and subsequent national and international tour dates.
This production marks the 30th anniversary of the publication of Joe Simpson’s best-selling memoir, charting his battle back from the brink of death on the treacherous Siula Grande Mountain. Alongside this struggle is the appalling dilemma of his climbing partner Simon Yates, perched on an unstable snow-cliff, clinging onto the rope tying him to the severely injured Joe. Unable to recover Joe from the void, Simon is faced with the agonising decision to cut the rope that binds them…
Tom Morris said: “After 12 years of dreaming, I’m thrilled to finally be able to direct this quintessential story of survival which has become a classic in its own lifetime. This next chapter in Bristol Old Vic’s Year of Change season looks at the life-changing decisions of two extraordinary men whose story has transcended mountaineering history. They are individuals who faced agonising choices and triumphed in a battle for life itself.”
Touching the Void cast includes rising stars Josh Williams and Edward Hayter as Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, Fiona Hampton in the role of ‘Sarah’ and Patrick McNamee as Richard. Find out more here.
The second co-production between the award-winning theatres will be Shakespeare’s perfect comedy Twelfth Night, will be directed by The Lyceum’s Associate Artist Wils Wilson (The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other, Cockpit, The Lyceum; The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, National Theatre of Scotland; Scuttlers, Manchester Royal Exchange).
Twelfth Night cast includes award-winning comedy and cabaret performance artist Christopher Green as ‘Malvolio’ and Colette Dalal Tchantcho as ‘Orsino’. Other cast members include Dawn Sievewright, Guy Hughes, Sophia Kolinas, Brian James O’Sullivan and Dylan Read. Find out more here.
Speaking of the production, Wils Wilson said: “I'm very excited and a little humbled to be directing this wonderful play. It’s Shakespeare's play of celebration and revelry - and like all good parties there are moments of joyful abandon, friendship, flirtation, and great live music - but also, confusion, thoughtless cruelty and embarrassment. I love the play for its warmth and wit, and also for its brilliant and fearless exploration of human frailty.”
The creative team includes Musical Director Alasdair Macrae, (Cockpit and The Winter’s Tale, The Lyceum; The Cheviot, The Stag and the Black, Black Oil, Dundee Rep; The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, National Theatre of Scotland; and The James Plays, National Theatre of Scotland and National Theatre) and award-winning composer Meilyr Jones, whose original compositions for the production will be performed live on stage. Previously of the band Race Horses, Meilyr’s debut solo album ‘2013’ was met with huge critical acclaim and he has worked with Gruff Rhys, Stealing Sheep, Aldeburgh Festival and Tate Britain.
