Jesting, jousting, puppets and poetry in Canterbury Tales
Northern Broadsides in partnership with the New Vic Theatre
The Canterbury Tales
By Geoffrey Chaucer
A new version by Mike Poulton
Directed by Conrad Nelson
Tue 18 – Sat 22 May 2010
Press night: Tue 18 May, 7pm
A classic of English literature meets a tremendous array of TV acting talent as The Canterbury Tales arrives at The Lowry. Acclaimed Northern Broadsides actor and director Conrad Nelson turns his talents to jesting, jousting, puppets and poetry for Chaucer’s masterpiece.
At Home with the Braithwaites actress Ishia Bennison who became a household name as Guizin Ozman in Eastenders is among the cast along with Emily Butterfield from The Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Richard Standing, known to millions as Coronation Street’s Danny Hargreaves.
At the Tabard Inn, London, sometime in the fourteenth century, a motley group of individuals gather for their pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral. On the way, they regale each other with colourful tales to pass the time of day and thus unfolds one of the greatest collections of stories ever told.
The Canterbury Tales is human nature at its best and worst, and it’s wickedly entertaining. Experience theatrical riches including: love stories, rude stories and farce most lewd, chivalry, villainy, mirth and merriment, poetry and puppetry and a good dose of song and dance.
Mike Poulton’s deliciously witty adaptation, first toured by the RSC, reclaims The Canterbury Tales for contemporary audiences with a fresh script. Co-produced with Staffordshire’s award-winning New Vic Theatre, a fine creative team includes puppeteer Lee Threadgold, who recently pulled the strings on the acclaimed Heidi: A Goat’s Tail, and in-the-round expert, New Vic Designer Lis Evans.
Posted on Friday, 30 April 2010 under Press Theatre Press