Production photographs : Press Release : Review
The Dukes presents the premiere of
The Gift and The Glory
By John Moorhouse & Lisa Evans
31 March – 24 April 2010
Directed by Joe Sumsion & Louie Ingham
Designed by Alison Heffernan
Music composed by John Biddle
A double bill of brand new plays set in the great outdoors of the Lake District will be opening at The Dukes this Spring.
Written in tandem by John Moorhouse and Lisa Evans, The Gift and The Glory tells the story of two pairs of friends at a crossroads in their lives. Old pals Tom and Jed take a familiar route through the Lakeland fells in The Gift. This time however, they’re off the beaten track as an intensely personal story is revealed.
Glory, Glory is set three months later and a new pair of friends walk that same route. Sixty-somethings Joy and Lizzie are growing old disgracefully. Swigging away and confronting their fears for the future, they share laughter, secrets and gin.
The plays have been written specifically for the local landscape and the outside will literally be brought inside when huge rocks arrive from Ingleton quarry near Carnforth to create the set. The double bill will also feature a specially composed soundtrack with gospel and folk music performed live by the actors.
Dukes’ Director Joe Sumsion will direct Glory, Glory and Louie Ingham will direct The Gift. This will be Louie’s first professional production for The Dukes. She joins Joe fresh from directing The Dukes Youth Theatre in The Things She Sees which made it all the way to The National Theatre as part of the New Connections Festival.
Glory Glory writer Lisa Evans has recently enjoyed success with The Maid of Buttermere at Theatre by the Lake and her new play, Up the Duff, will be touring nationally in the autumn.
The Gift and The Glory runs from Wednesday 31 March – Saturday 24 April 2010. Tickets cost from £5 to £15.50 and can be booked at The Dukes Box Office on 01524 598500 or www.dukes-lancaster.org.
8/3/2010