A YORKSHIRE TRAGEDY: NOT SO NEW AS LAMENTABLE AND TRUE

A Tough Theatre and The White Bear Theatre co-production
Author: Author: Thomas Middleton
Directed by Andy Brunskill
Dates: 5 – 24 January 2010
( Press Night, Thursday 7 January, 7.30 pm)

The White Bear Theatre, as part of its current Lost Classics Season which opened with ‘Madness in Valencia’ (Time Out’s Critics Choice and transferring to Trafalgar Studios in January), now presents ‘A Yorkshire Tragedy: not so new as lamentable and true’, part of the Shakespeare Apocrypha and produced by Tough Theatre.

‘A Yorkshire Tragedy’ is based on the real life tragedy of Walter Calverley, who on 5th August 1605 was executed for murdering two of his children and stabbing his wife.  This production will use an ensemble of nine performers creating a disturbing, visceral experience which is not for the light hearted.

At a time when debt is a central concern for the society we live in, and debates about the financial responsibilities of bankers, politicians and other public figures saturate the news, ‘A Yorkshire Tragedy’ presents a disquieting reflection of our modern professional and personal conduct.

As part of the Shakespeare Apocrypha, there has been much debate through the centuries as to the authorship of the play.  Despite being attributed to "Wylliam Shakespere" in the Stationers' Register in 1608, the strongest opinion amongst academics now is that the true author could be Shakespeare’s contemporary, Thomas Middleton.

The first full London revival of the play in 19 years; this is the debut production for Tough Theatre, a brand new London-based theatre company which will produce neglected classics and new writing for a modern audience.

Performances Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Sundays at 5.30pm

‘A Yorkshire Tragedy’ is supported by the Royal Victoria Hall Foundation.

Venue:
White Bear Theatre
Kennington
London SE11 4DJ

Getting there by tube: Two minutes walk from Kennington Tube, on the Northern Line. Kennington is one stop from Waterloo. By Bus: The 133, 159, 109 buses stop nearby. By Rail: Elephant and Castle Train Station, then bus.