Road (Modern Classics)

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Some of the events in 'Road' can leave the play open to accusations that it is depressing - certainly we see on various occasions humanity at its lowest points. Indeed some characters express a distinctly pessimistic outlook, perhaps most succinctly put when Scullery says "And just remember folks, if God did make them little green apples, he also made snot". But for me the lingering message is one of optimism. As the four youngsters, at the play's climax, purge themselves of their fears concerns and disappointments, they provide for us a glimpse of hope, their message of escape unequivocal. It’s talked of with such fondness’ … Shane Zaza and John Tiffany during rehearsals. Photograph: Johan Persson But it's still all worth it for that last scene. Probably my favourite scene in any play ever, to be perfectly honest. Somehow a somehow. Among the old-timers, Peter Corrigan, David Penrose, Sally Hartley and Peter Woodward impress, while Ingrid Corrigan impresses and amuses mightily as the neighbourhood mad old bag. One always has faith in actors of this standing and here that faith is not betrayed. It has been a delight to revisit this Lancashire street once again, and an honour to do so as part of Bench Theatre's 40th Anniversary celebrations.I hope that myself and the cast have done our jobs well enough that you find Road to be as exhilarating, rich, funny, poignant, and enduring as I do.

The inequality and hopelessness of then is at least as prevalent now,” Dudgeon continues. “And I think the strength and humour of the characters is as beautiful and funny and moving now as it was then.” The play explores the lives of the people in a deprived, working class area of Lancashire during the government of Margaret Thatcher, a time of high unemployment in the north of England. Despite its explicit nature, it was considered extremely effective in portraying the desperation of people's lives at this time, as well as containing a great deal of humour. Set on a road on a busy night, the audience delve into the houses on the street and the characters' lives. Two - Octagon. Young Vic Theatre. Winner of: Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for Best New Play. directed by Andy Hay

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After the initial performance at the Royal Court Theatre "Upstairs", with Edward Tudor-Pole as Scullery, the play moved "Downstairs" in 1987 with Ian Dury as the narrator. [3] Road has enabled director Nathan Chapman to showcase the wide variety and wealth of talent this company possesses and the cast of over 20 were outstanding. Demonstrating some very sharp characterisation, many as monologues interspersed with humorous mini sketches. Pre show and interval activity made full use of this large cast. Eight Miles High - Octagon * 1994 & 1995 Bristol Theatre Royal Nominated for Theatre Management Association Best Musical Award. directed by Andy Hay

Sharp describes the writing of Road in 1986 as “an urgent response to the society that was being unravelled and reimagined under our noses”. More than 30 years later, it still has a sense of urgency. “It’s nostalgic while being prophetic,” says Tiffany, observing how the drama both looks to the past and anticipates the widening gap between rich and poor. His production, he hopes, will demonstrate how relevant – politically and artistically – Road remains. “It’s another chance to explore the play and to see its place in theatre history, and how much it still says about now.” The Rise and Fall of Little Voice - Winner of: Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy of the Year; Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy directed by Sam Mendes.Find sources: "Road"play– news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( March 2010) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) Tiffany’s new production at the Royal Court aims to celebrate the play’s history while also reimagining it. “It’s absolutely Road as written,” he says, “but it’s a very different presentation of it.” This revival is abandoning the now familiar promenade form, but it still bridges the usual gap between performers and audience. Chloe Lamford’s design features a set of steps that will connect the stage with the audience, allowing the cast to get in among the spectators.

This is an exciting and vibrant group of actors who consistently produce a high standard with both classic and contemporary works. Their next production in September is an original play by Angela Pressland, A Higher Education, winner of a national playwriting competition specially commissioned for this slot, and it will be eagerly awaited. Road' explores the lives of the people who live in an un-named road, in a deprived, working class area of Lancashire during the Thatcher government - a time of high unemployment in the north of England. The action takes place over the course of one evening as the residents of the road prepare to go out, follows them at the club they go to and then on home afterwards. Despite its explicit nature, it was considered extremely effective in portraying the desperation of people's lives at this time, as well as containing a great deal of humour. A passionate, poetic and positive portrayal of working class life it is often performed on a promenade, allowing the audience to follow the narrator (Scullery) along the road and visit different sets and the different homes of the characters. There are striking performances by Michelle Fairley, sadly hilarious in a scene where she vainly seeks to seduce a drunken soldier, and from Mark Hadfield and June Watson as solitary oldsters and from Shane Zaza and Faye Marsay as the death-haunted lovers. Road was an instant classic because of the way its kaleidoscopic form allowed for short, sharp insights into the lives of the working classes in the latter days of the Thatcher premiership. It famously took over the Royal Court theatre, ran a disco, transformed the bar into a Lancashire pub, took the audience directly into these people's homes. It's less confrontational now, less intimate. The way it represents these people feels old-fashioned - though it didn't feel like that in the flesh, it's a weird thing. And not all of it works, because it's so episodic some of it can't quite hold the momentum. RAZ - Edinburgh Festival (Winner of Fringe First Award 2015), 2016 Trafalgar Studios, London & Nationwide tour. Directed by Anthony Banks.Tiffany’s production highlights the play’s poetic lyricism in several ways: Scullery does a pas de deux with a shopping trolley to the sounds of Swan Lake, and the whole cast also engage in a climactic ritual that hints at the human potential for happiness. Despite the Sloane Square location, Tiffany wants his production to feel “very northern”, honouring the impact the play made on him and fellow northerners. “People talk about this play – certainly a lot of actors and directors who are from the north – as a fundamental moment in their journey into theatre,” he says. “It’s talked of with such fondness, such pride.” Society was being unravelled’ … Pontypridd in Wales during the miners’ strike. Photograph: Sipa Press / Rex I’d never been to a play where a whole record was played’ … Dan Parr, Michelle Fairley and Shane Zaza, who star in the new production. Photograph: Sarah Weal

One night on Road in the late 1980s, somewhere in the north of England. Everyone's out on the lash. Eddie and Brink are dressing up before they go and sign on the next morning. Carol and Louise are maybe trying to get off with a couple of lads. The chippy's delivery hasn't arrived so they've only got chips. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable eight weeks working with a fine group of actors who have thrown their talent and enthusiasm behind the production, and I would like to thank them and all the people who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this performance possible. I'v been putting off reading this for ages, it's been almost 2 years since I saw it. I think it's because I knew I'd have a really complicated relationship with it - and surprise surprise, I do! This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Those people are poorer now,” says Tiffany, “and austerity has really started to dissolve the structure of civic life as we know it.” One of the most powerful things about Road, says Dudgeon, is that “it shows ordinary, struggling working-class characters and makes them into heroes”. Now, even more so than when the play was written, it’s rare to see honest yet positive portrayals of working-class life.The play has won a number of awards and was voted the 36th best play of the 20th century in a poll by the Royal National Theatre. [2] Notable productions [ edit ] In 1994 the play was produced by Out of Joint theatre and directed by Max Stafford-Clark. The production toured the UK and performed at the Leicester Haymarket and the Royal Court. The play is often performed on a promenade, allowing the audience to follow the narrator (Scullery) along the road and visit different sets and the different homes of the characters.