Rapture, Scotland’s foremost contemporary touring theatre company is to tour the first ever- Scottish professional tour of Frozen by Bryony Lavery.
Frozen received its world premiere at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1998 and was subsequently revised and revived at the National Theatre in England in 2002. Rapture’s production starts previewing at East Kilbride Arts Centre on Thursday 19th October 2006 and opens on Wednesday 25th October at North Edinburgh Arts Centre and due to close at the Citizens Theatre , Glasgow on Saturday 11th December.
Although the show is performing at many high profile venues, Frozen will also visit many small Scottish community theatre venues during its run, including Eastfield, Moffatt and Airdrie.
About the Play
Rapture return after acclaimed and popular productions of “The Collection” , “Damages” and “Blue/Orange”.
This is the play that no mother will want to miss and one audiences will remember for a long time afterwards.
A tender and humane story about the disappearance of a ten-year-old girl and the effects on those around her.
When Rhona goes missing, her mother Nancy retires into a state of frozen hope. As the years go by, the reality of Rhona’ s disappearance and the effect on Nancy leads to a thrilling conclusion as Nancy finally confronts the man who abducted her daughter.
A tense thriller of a play that will have you glued to their seats and your heart in your mouth.
Rapture will be liasing with major national organisations to compile an education pack for schools and to facilitate workshop and talkbacks sessions on issues in a play this is destined to be one of the talking points of next year. Visits to individual schools can also be organised. Contact the company for details
What the papers said about Frozen:
“ A major play…. thrilling, humane and timely” ---- The Times
“ Consistently surprising ands even bravely comic….The almost thriller like promise of the play’s climactic confrontation is like a time bomb ticking in the back of your head” -- The Independent
Please note as reflection of the gritty themes in the play be advised that there is strong language and Rapture therefore recommend this exciting play for audiences over 14 years old and for those not easily offended.
The Cast
Once again Rapture has assembled a top-notch cast of Scottish actors and is proud to give Scottish talent a platform
The cast features Gerda Stevenson, John Kazek, Joanna Tope and Duncan R Edwards.
Gerda takes on the pivotal role of Nancy. Gerda has appeared in acclaimed theatre productions with companies such as Communicado, the Royal Lyceum and Traverse Theatres .
Her film and tv work includes a Scottish Bafta award winning performance in Blue Black Permanent as well as playing a major supporting role in Mel Gibson’s Braveheart.
John Kazek has an extensive theatrical career with leading companies in Scotland such as Theatre Babel, Traverse Theatre, Citizens Theatre. He combines this with high profile roles in tv and film. John’s tv work includes roles in Taggart, Rab C Nesbitt and in feature films such as Batman Begins.
Joanna Tope is a theatre veteran with leading roles at the Citizens in Glasgow and the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh. Joanna last appeared at the Lyceum giving a masterly performance as Linda Loman in Death of a Salesman.
Duncan R Edwards has performed with Rapture before in Richard III and Your Turn to Clean the Stair
Rapture Theatre
Started by Michael Emans approximately six years ago, after he left drama school, Rapture has made its remit to bring new and challenging theatre to Central Scotland (where they are based) and beyond.
Rapture has in the past toured productions to St.Andrews, The Highlands, and Dundee across the Central belt, down to the Borders and across to Mull. Rapture has also played at Glasgow venues such as The Arches, The Tramway, The Tron and The Citizens Theatre.
Previously the company premiered work in Scotland by Arthur Miller, David Mamet, Sam Shepard, Joe Penhall and Steve Thompson.
For Rapture Theatre
Artistic Director Michael Emans Company Secretary Lyn McAndrew
Principal Sponsors
Lanarkshire Chamber of Commerce
WM Mann Foundation
The Big Lottery Fund
Gannochy Trust
South Lanarkshire Council
Kidd Property Developers
Burns Storage Facilities
Board Members
Dr.Paul Dougall
Catherine Burns
Mike Tibbetts
Previous Rapture
Rapture’s recent touring shows “Damages” by Steve Thompson and “The Collection” by Mike Cullen played to packed houses and received both audience and critical acclaim:
“ Riveting……frightenly prescient” -- Neil Cooper in The Herald
“ Fantasy casting” --- Mark Brown in The Sunday Herald
“ Superb” – Joyce McMillan in The Scotsman
“ There’s no faulting the commitment, firepower and wit of the terrific cast” – Four Stars from Joyce McMillan in The Scotsman
“Excellent cast….an enjoyable light entertainment” - Alan Chadwick in The Metro
Rapture’s previous touring production “Blue/Orange” garnered the following response from the Press
“ I’m in raptures over Rapture” ---- The Mail on Sunday****
“Superb” – The Sunday Herald****
“ Should do much to enhance Rapture’s reputation” – The Metro
“ Well acted” – The Times
The Director
Rapture’s Founder and Artistic Director, Michael Emans, said: “I have always been passionate about Bryon’s lovely play and I hope to share that passion with the many audience members. I look forward to welcoming many members of local communities to our production.”
Our last show “The Collection” was extremely popular with audiences and as a result our mailing list is up to 3500 and theatres are already booking us for Spring 2007
The company is popular with actors too with performers turning down offers from bigger more lucrative companies to work with Rapture. Emans beamed “We’re very proud of our ability to attract top class actors who respect the passion and integrity and honesty of our work”.
The Tour
Michael Emans strongly believes in ‘theatre for all’ – ensuring that even very small communities in Scotland have the opportunity to access quality theatre productions.
Press Night
North Edinburgh Arts Centre
Wednesday 25th October
Box Office: 0131 315 2151
Rapture Press Office: 07751048405
Rapture’s “Frozen” tour: venues and dates
East Kilbride Arts Centre
Thursday 19th – 20th October @ 8pm
Tickets: £8/£6
Box Office: 013552 61000
Cumbernauld Theatre, Kildrum, Cumbernauld
Saturday 21st October @ 7:30pm
Tickets: £9/£7
Box Office - 01236 732887
North Edinburgh Arts Centre
15a Pennywell Court
Edinburgh EH4 4TZ
Wednesday 25th October @ 7:30pm
Tickets £8 £5-£3 concession
Box Office 0131 315 2151
Eastfield Community Centre, Rutherglen
Thursday 26th October @ 7:30pm
Tickets £2
Box Office 0141 6418319
Arts Guild Theatre
Campbell Street
Greenock
Friday 27th October @ 7:30pm
Tickets:£8/£6
Box Office - 01475 723038
Old Well Theatre
Moffatt
Saturday 28th October @7:30pm
Tickets £7
Adam Smith Theatre
Kirkcaldy
Tuesday 31st October @ 7:30pm
Tickets: £8.50 ( £5.50)
(2 for £8.50 if paid for by 22nd April)
Box Office: 01592 412929
Ryan Centre Theatre
Stranraer
Wednesday 1st November @ 7:30pm
Tickets £8/£6.50(conc)
Box Office 01776 703535
Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock
Thursday 2nd November @ 7:30pm
Ticket £8/£6.50
Box Office: 01563 554900
Paisley Arts Centre
Friday 3rd November @ 7:30pm
Tickets £8/£4
Box Office - 0141 887 1010
The Brunton Theatre, Mussellburgh
Saturday 4th November @ 7:30pm
Tickets: £10 /£7
Box Office 0131 665 2240
The Moira Anderson Foundation
Airdrie Arts Centre
Monday 20th November @ 7:30pm
Box Office 01236 602890
Carlops Village Halll
Thursday 23rd November @ 8pm
Box Office 01968 660388
Tickets £7/£5
Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine
Friday 24th November @ 7:45pm
Tickets £8/£6
Box Office: 01294274059
The Tolbooth Theatre, Stirling
Saturday 25th November @ 8pm
Tickets: £8/£6
Box Office 01786 274000
The Byre Theatre of St Andrews
Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th November @ 8pm
Tickets £13 (£9) £6 aged 24 & under
Box Office 01334 475000
Tullynessle & Forbes Village Hall
Thursday 3oth November @ 7:30pm
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Tickets £9 (£6) |
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Tickets from Nicolls Outdoor & Camping Shop, Main Street 019755 62963, Alford or from Annie Sturgeon. |
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The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
Friday 1st December @ 7:30pm
Tickets £9 (£6)
Box Office : 01224 642230 |
www.lemontree.org
Warehouse Theatre
Pitgaveny Quay
Lossiemouth
Saturday 2nd December @ 7:30pm
Tickets £9 (£6)
Box Office Telephone : 01343 814004
thewarehousetheatre@hotmail.com
Citizens' Theatre
CITIZENS THEATRE
Tuesday 5th – 9th December @ 7:30pm
£12/£5 £3 Gorbals Citizen Card Holder
Box Office 0141 429 0022
Company Biographies
MICHAEL EMANS (Director)
Trained:
Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama.
Previous Theatre Includes:
Over the Mountain
(Creek Road Studio Theatre), Tom Jones (Lillian Bayliss Theatre), The Finishing School (Nuffield Theatre, Southampton)
For Rapture Theatre, Michael has directed: Death and the Maiden, The Dumb Waiter, Some Kind of Love Story, Shadowlands, Taking Sides, Clara, An Evening with Gary Lineker, Broken Glass, Boys’ Life, Grace, The Collection, Death of a Salesman, A Kind of Alaska, Habeas Corpus, Rat in the Skull, Oleanna, Macbeth, Perfect Days, Bold Girls, Shang a lang, Assassins, Betrayal, Mr.Peters’ Connections, Insignificance, Speed the Plow, Simpatico, Boy Gets Girl, Your Turn to Clean the Stair, The Old Neighborhood, The Sailmaker, Richard III, Double Top, Boston Marriage, Twisted, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Iune, Proof, Misery, Blue/Orange ,Damages and The Collection
Michael recently assisted Mark Thomson at the Royal Lyceum Theatre on “Uncle Varick” and “Six Black Candles”. and worked with acclaimed Scottish playwright Iain Heggie on his new one man show for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Michael has also directed at the Oran Mor the winner of the Orange Playwriting Award “Magnum Opus” and more recently the acclaimed “Burns on the Solway”
BRYONY LAVERY (The Writer)
Theatre Credits Include:
Smoke ( New Vic Theatre), Last Easter( Lucy Lortel Theatre Off Broadway), Frozen ( Birmingham Rep, National Theatre, London and east 13thStreet Theatre Off Broadway Theatre),A doll’s House ( Birmingham Rep), Thyestes ( Futies, RSC Boot Camp), Precious Bane ( Pentabus), Illyria ( Royal National Theatre Connections)
Television and Film Includes:
Goodbye ? , Restless farewell ( Screenplay), Buy ( Channel 4), Revolting Women
( BBC2)
Radio Plays Include:
Wise Children, Lady Audley’s Secret ( Radio4)
LYN MCANDREW (Designer)
Trained: Edinburgh University, Strathclyde University
Previous Theatre Includes:
The High School, The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil, A Night in the Ukraine, Teechers, The Steamie, Men Should Weep, The Cemetery Club, The London Vertigo, The Orchestra, Play it again Sam.
For Rapture Theatre as actress: Macbeth, Perfect Days, Shang a Lang, Assassins, Betrayal, Bold Girls, Speed the Plow, Simpatico, Boy Gets Girl, Richard III, Boston Marriage, Twisted, Proof
For Rapture Theatre as designer: Macbeth, Perfect Days, Assassins, Insignificance, Simpatico, Old Neighborhood, Richard III, Boston Marriage, Frankie and Johnny, Proof , Misery, Blue/Orange and Damages and The Collection
SIMON WILKINSON
( Lighting Designer)
Simon lit all four national tours of Mum's the Word, the tribute musical Always ... Patsy Cline, three tours of A Happy Medium, and the Scottish tours of The Odd Couple, Tally's Blood, Dead Funny, Good Things and Passing Places
Simon's work includes The Visit for Dundee Rep; Feelgood for Nottingham Playhouse, A Sense of Justice and Mary's Wedding for Perth Theatre; The Glass Menagerie, The Secret Garden, Mary's Wedding, Cat on A Hot Tin Roof, Honk! and A Christmas Carol for the Byre Theatre of St Andrews; Meat and The Play O' The Wather for Nutshell; Spoonface Steinberg, Manick Company; Ghost Shirt, Theatre by Design; Lion in the Streets and Touch Bass, Arches Theatre; Better Days ... Better Knights, Fifth Estate;
Simon designed the lighting for the award winning Last Supper of Dr Faustus, and his design for Lion in the Streets was exhibited as part of the Society of British Theatre Designers 2D-3D exhibition.
In addition to his theatre work, Simon designs lighting for award ceremonies, conferences and product launches. He also has a place in the Guinness Book of Records for his design for Act 24's production of Oklahoma at the Edinburgh Playhouse, which set the record for "Fastest Theatrical Production"
The Cast
