World première production of moving Mancunian memoir Once in a House on Fire
World premier production of moving Mancunian memoir Once in a House on Fire
Andrea Ashworth’s bestselling memoir brought from page to stage
by acclaimed Mancunian company Monkeywood Theatre
- Press Night Thu 31 March 2011 at 8pm
- Extra date added in Quays theatre due to demand, Mon 11 April at 8pm
- Interviews with cast and creative team available on request
Once in a House on Fire, adapted for the stage by Sarah McDonald Hughes, is a compelling story set across South Manchester during the 1970s and 1980s which focuses on a family of four women living in the shadow of domestic violence and poverty.
Based in on the best selling memoir by Andrea Ashworth, and developed collaboratively by the company, Once in a House on Fire is a compelling, inspiring, vibrant, truthful and moving story of sisters, survival and growing up.
“I’m thrilled that Once in a House on Fire is being brought to life on the stage through the fabulous Monkeywood Theatre, and immensely proud that they’re devoting their unique talents and passion to sharing this story. I can’t wait to see what they do…”
Andrea Ashworth
Manchester based Monkeywood Theatre have been building a reputation for producing plays based on Mancunian stories and characters for the past 7 years and their latest work looks set to continue this ambition.
Developed with The Lowry Studio, supported by Arts Council England and funded through grants for the arts, Once in a House on Fire, has undergone a thorough research and development process which included Monkeywood’s Co-Artistic Director Francesca Waite traveling to Los Angeles to meet Andrea Ashworth.
The Once in a House on Fire project began in August 2010 when Monkeywood and associate writer Sarah worked collaboratively with actors, a director, a video artist and young people from a local school and sixth form college to produce a first draft of the play. Growing up in Moss Side, Andrea attended Chorlton High School (formerly Oakwood High) and Xaverian Sixth Form College in Rusholme, which Monkeywood’s Sarah and Francesca also attended. Monkeywood ran workshops with both groups of young people and will present the final production to them in April. Of the young people’s involvement Francesca Waite said, “It was great to be able to work with the sixth formers to get their ideas on a story set in their neighbourhood, involving characters of a similar age to them. Although it was strange to return to our college, it was lovely to realise how far we’ve come since those days and share our experiences of making theatre with the drama students.”
Andrea and her family have supported the project from its inception, with Andrea’s sister and niece even attending one of the initial rehearsals.
Once in a House on Fire will tour nationally throughout 2011 and will appear in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The production will help to support Women's Worldwide Web, an online platform that empowers women, their families and communities, through microfinance, education, mentoring and social networking. For more information visit http://www.womensworldwideweb.org.
Once in a House on Fire
The Lowry
Thu 31 March – Sat 2 April & Mon 11 April
Tickets £10
Times 8pm Sat Mat 3pm
0843 208 6000 www.thelowry.com
The Lowry is delighted to present Once in a House on Fire through the generous support of Arts Council England Sustain fund.
Posted on Tuesday, 08 March 2011 under News Press Theatre Press