THEATRE HOTLINE: THEATRE HOTLINE: 01392 277189 01392 277189 www.cygnettheatre.co.ukwww.cygnettheatre.co.uk

AUTUMNSEASON 2014AUTUMNSEASON 2014

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Get in on the ACT Become an Associate of Cygnet Theatre for £12 Benefi ts include: reduced ticket prices, invites to open rehearsals & assessment evenings

Contact info@cygnettheatre.co.uk for more information

Cygnet TheatreFriars Gate, Exeter,Devon EX2 4AZ

Theatre Hotline: 01392 277189 Exeter Visitor Information and Tickets 01392 665885

website: www.cygnettheatre.co.ukemail: info@cygnettheatre.co.uk

Registered charity no. 1081824 Company no. 3905769

Have an ‘exetremely exciting’ autumn with Cygnet - and celebrate our building’s 100th birthday! Alistair Ganley Cygnet’s Artistic Director is poised to weave his magic with the Cygnet & Community Company in Tom Nicholas’ new play Trinity – an exciting opportunity to discover the secrets of Trinity Hall’s 100 year history. Trinity is part of the city-wide exetreme imagination festival in October.

Cygnet is also commemorating the Centenary of the Great War with a special season. Mark Carey’s hugely entertaining show Into the Breach charts one man’s personal

battle with Shakespeare, spanning both world wars and animating Agincourt! Passion weaves together 100 years’ experience of war with live music, using the testimony of soldiers and those who waved them off to fi ght, recalling Afghanistan as well as WW1. Casualties of War explores the words and music of composers and poets who perished in that terrible confl ict.

Cygnet is delighted to host the return of Cyclone Theatre with Frank McGuiness’s funny and moving play Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me exploring the ordeal suffered by the Beirut Hostages. If that seems a little dark, relax with Chantry Dance Company’s The Happy Prince and Exim Dance’s Impact Tour. For the fi rst time, we are able to offer two inspiring dance workshop opportunities! ‘Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast…’ and Kaja Pecnik is preparing a wonderful recital of love songs, accompanied by apt readings from the Cygnet Company. Wren Music - who brought us three fabulous evenings of top folk artists earlier in the year - also return in November.

What a fabulous season! Beginning with a real treat - Richard Darbourne’s highly acclaimed new production of Jane Austen’s much loved classic Pride and Prejudice. Animate your autumn with visits to Cygnet: celebrate the richness of our arts and heritage - all the best of human endeavour, as well as what is hard and sad. John Milton expressed it so well ‘Whatever is dark: illumine; what is low: raise and support’. We hope we can offer something to raise and support the spirit this autumn, and bring you joy and delight. Rosalind Williams - Principal

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Performance Date:22nd & 23rd September 7.30pmTicket Price: £12 (£10 concession, £8 child)

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Pride and Prejudice Richard Darbourne Ltd

* * * * *“A uniquely theatrical experience... an acting tour de force...highly entertaining” Oxford Times

An academic response to the play“A two-handed treatment of Jane Austen's wittiest novel brings to life the author's intensely dramatic sensibility for a modern audience. Not a word is spoken not found in the original. Not a word is wasted nor unconsidered. Austen's ability to pull her reader in and out of her protagonist's consciousness, her deft overlay of competing voices and styles, is vividly realised in the embodied space of an intimate production” Professor Ros Ballaster, 18th Century Studies, Mansfi eld College, Oxford.

A highly praised and inventive new adaptation of one of the most loved novels of all time.

This production premiered at the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds in 2013 and delighted the sold- out audiences. Now on a full UK tour, this is your chance tocatch the fi ve Bennet sisters and the whole world of Austen brought to life by just two actors. A theatrical treat not to be missed.

Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me Cyclone Theatre“There were three b*****ks in a cell in Lebanon. An Englishman, an Irishman and an American. Why they were in that cell was anybody’s guess and why they were in Lebanon was their own guess.”

Inspired by the plight of the Beirut hostages in the late 1980’s, Frank McGuinness’s play is a brilliant portrayal of three desperate menin a desperate situation.

Funny, poignant and honest, the play explores the fears and dreams of men captive for years with no access to the outside world and little hope of release.

Following the overwhelming response to I am Hamlet - Cyclone Theatre return to the Cygnet Theatre for the second time this year!

Performance Date:3rd & 4th October 7.30pmTicket Price: £10 (£8 concession)

Post show discussion on 3rd October

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Trinity A Community

Production commissioned

by the

Cygnet Company

Written by Tom Nicholas

Director Alistair GanleyMovement Clare Parker

In September 1913 the construction of a Parish Hall and Sunday Schools for Holy Trinity Church began in Friars Gate. A century on, the Church is decommissioned and has become the White Ensign Club and the Hall has become a theatre. But what dramas fi lled the building in the years between?

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Performance Date: 28th 29th 30th 31st October 1st November

7.30pm30th October 1st November

2.00pmTicket Price: £10 (£6 Students & Child)

This is a promenade production. Please wear comfortable shoes.

Sections of the performance will take place upstairs.

Please contact Cygnet with anyquestions about access.

“in the night-time, when they’re empty, buildings come alive to tell their stories”

Tom Nicholas’ new play summons up the spirits whose stories fi ll the building, and invites the audience to explore the spaces as the past comes out of the woodwork to meet them.

Based on research, conversation and historical events and infused with theatrical magic, TRINITY explores the building through the eyes of the people who have worked and played here. In particular, the young people at formative times in their lives, whose experiences in the building spin a continuous thread in its history.

Dedicated just under a year before the start of the Great War 1914-18, Trinity Hall was used by the army in the fi rst World War and withstood the German bombing of the second World War. Subsequently it has been the venue for many other confl icts, on the small, human scale, from teenage lovers, to the warring Mods and Rockers, Boxing and Roller Skating and in more recent times the dramatic confl icts of theatrical performance.

Join the Cygnet Company and a Community cast drawn from across the city on an exciting journey through time as you explore the whole Cygnet building and experience the secret history of the old Trinity Hall.

True Stories of War and Love 100 Years ApartBy Stephanie Dale

Multi-award winning AsOne Theatre Company present a gripping new piece of theatre with live music – fi ve incredible stories of families affected by war.

The play has been created using real testimony from people: who’ve fought in Afghanistan; who’ve waved their child off to fi ght; who’ve discovered a WW1 relative’s diary. Intertwined with extensive research and dusted with talent this is affectingtheatre at its best.

Performance Date:6th November 7.30pm

Ticket Price: £12 (£5 Student & Child)

Passion AsOne Theatre Company

George Crocker is keen to liven up his dull life so he decides to join the Village Drama Club. What happens then turns his world upside down. Set during the Second World War this nostalgic, funny and moving story will appeal to all, from ten years and up. It is a vivid portrait of village life with all seventeen colourful characters played by one man.

Into the Breach is ideal for schools and colleges. The play offers a very clear introduction to Shakespeare and for students studying Henry V the text is brought to life in an original and accessible way. Many young audience members have commented on how Into the Breach brings Shakespeare’s words alive.

“Set during the last years of World War Two what a tour de force Into the Breach turned out to be. The whole play was a delight … a lovely and very humorous play that fully merited the standing ovation. This ninety minute one man show is a classic tale of the small man taking on the big challenge.” Dick Shurey, Stratford Herald

Performance Date:10th October7.30 pm£10 (£8, £6)

Into the Breach Mark Carey

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Performance Date:7th November 7.30pmTicket Price: £12 (£10 concessions) with workshop £18

The Happy Prince Chantry Dance Company Chantry Dance Company presents:‘The Happy Prince’ & other original works including ‘All I Can Do Is Be Me - the Bob Dylan Ballet’

Chantry Dance Company presents a stunning new modern ballet production of Oscar Wilde’s poignant short story “The Happy Prince”. Step into Wilde’s world and meet the charismatic but sorrowful Prince, who grieves for the lives of the poor. Help arrives in the form of a swallow, and together they carry hope and fortune out to the people.

The Happy Prince Workshop Chantry Dance Join Chantry Dance Company for an exciting workshop accompanying our tour of ‘The Happy Prince’. The workshop focuses on story-telling through movement/dance using a range of theatrical techniques including:

Ensemble Work, Puppetry, Motif and Character Development

Your Workshop LeaderThe workshop will be led by Gail Gordon, Dance Director for Chantry Dance Company. Gail has enjoyed nearly 50 years in show business, having worked as an actress, dancer and acrobat.

Also in the programme is a duet to Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and a fi rm ensemble ballet favourite from CDC’s repertoire, ‘All I Can Do Is Be Me’ to the raw and evocative songs of Bob Dylan

“The students were so inspired by your teaching and your work. Thanks again for such a wonderful day you are amazing.”

Rachel Linthwaite - Principal, Dance Attack, Sutton Coldfi eld. For more information about Chantry Dance Company,

please visit: www.chantrydancecompany.org

Workshop Date:3rd November 2.00pm

Workshop £107

Casualties of War

In Love With Love

Performance Date:November 21st

7.30pm Ticket Price: £10

Henry Purcell meets Giacomo Puccini on a love journey through Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods with the help of all the great composers of their time.

Recital includes folk songs and poetry from the Cygnet Company. Music and words tell us how powerful a woman’s love can be.

Performance Date:8th November 7.30pm

Ticket Price: £12

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Soprano Kaja Pecnik performing arias such as O mio babbino caro, Sweeter than roses and Una voce poco fa will guide us through the wonderful language of love and truly make us fall in love with love. Again and again.

Pianist Adrian Hicks studied piano and singing at the Royal Academy of Music. He has worked extensively as pianist, singer, composer, choral director and teacher. Adrian is Cygnet’s resident singing coach.

Richard Roddis tenor, Clive Pollard piano, Rosalind Williams & Gillian von Fragstein readers. Composers: George Butterworth, the emblem of lost talent; W Denis Browne and Ernest Farrar, who both left only a handful of pieces. Poets: Edward Thomas, Rupert Brooke, Francis Ledwidge, Wilfrid Gibson. Straddling the two art-forms and prolifi c in both, Ivor Gurney survived but later suffered mental breakdown. And Gerald Finzi, pupil of Farrar, champion of Gurney.Richard Roddis is both choral conductor and composer and much in demand nationwide as a tenor soloist in oratorio and recital. Clive Pollard studied at the Royal College of Music and at the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. He has performed with numerous artists worldwide.

Rosalind Williams is an actor and Principal of Cygnet Theatre.Gillian von Fragstein is a singer & reader

Exploring the legacy in Poetry and Song of the Lost Generation of World War I and those deeply affected by the confl ict.

A perfect night for all admirers of classical and popular music.

ImPACT TOUR - 2014 Exim Dance Company

Workshop Exim Dance Company

Performance Date:14th November 7.30pm

Ticket Price: £10 (£8 conc. £6 Group 10+)Including workshop £15

Workshop Date:10th November 2.00pm

Workshop £8 9

Exim Dance Companypresents ImPACT Tour

A delicate exploration of relationships; sometimes refreshing and comical, often exposing and unpredictable.

ImPACT is a triple bill of inspiring and captivating dance theatre created by up and coming choreographers Olivia Lockwood and Michael Williams and award winning choreographer Adam Benjamin.

Exim Dance Company creates live performance work that draws on thecuriosity and inquisitive nature of theartists involved.

Formed in 2011, Exim has quickly established itself as a vibrant, exciting and diverse company creating professional Dance Theatre in the South West of England. With a strong focus on inclusion, the company provides a diverse range of professional development opportunities for local artists and students.

Exim will be offering a two hour workshop exploring the company's current repertoire and creative process. The workshop issuitable for current dance students andprofessionals and will include a technique class.For more information about the workshop please contact impact@eximdance.org.uk

Five Deaths and a Happy Ending Glyndebourne

When the Moon is Full Wren Music

Wren Music Presents:A series of concerts promoted by Wren

Music with Cygnet Theatre.

To fi nd out more please go to www.wrenmusic.co.uk

Performance Date:26th November 1.00pm

Ticket Price: £3

Opera is about love, death and disaster. Something is always going wrong, yeteveryone - on stage and off - has a wonderful time. This show, featuring 3 singers, 5 deaths, one happy ending, and a dragon, tells the kids everything they need to know about this completely over the top art form. As part of our Performances for Schools programme this autumn, Five Deaths and a Happy Ending will be touring across the country to give a special dedicated performance to pupils aged 7 to 10 years old.Limited places available contact Cygnet offi ce on 01392 277189

For schools only

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Inspired by Sabine Baring-Gould’s ‘Book of Werewolves’ Wren Band presents a concert that touches on the Gothic within English folk song, connecting with the infl uences of folklore found in contemporary popular culture such as Harry Potter.

The band has sifted through archives of traditional folk songs to fi nd those that fi tted with the stories in the Book of Werewolves and penned new songs about some of Dartmoor’s best-known folklore stories.

Performance Date:29th November 7.30pm

Ticket Price: £12 (£10 under 18)

Singing Workshop25th November 10.00am & 2.00pm

£15/£7.50 (concession)

Glyndebourne Academy Open Workshops

If you are aged 16-26, love singing, and would like to fi nd out if you have what it takes to sing solo in opera or music theatre, this workshop is for you. Led by renowned singing teacher and Glyndebourne Vocal Talent Consultant Mary King.Further details from www.glyndebourne.com

Cygnet Courses

Two day short courseThe weekend offers 4 workshop sessions exploring key approaches to voice work, movement, improvisation andcharacterisation applied to text. Each day will be a self-contained sequence of work, balancing learning with practical exploration and application allowing you to join for a day or for the full week-end.

20th & 21st September18th & 19th October15th & 16th NovemberCost: £60 1 day / £90 full weekend

Full TimeCygnet’s unique ensemble training gives

realistic experience from day one, and with a constant commitment to public

performances produces actors with a high level of skill and confi dence.

The training covers all the basic essentials for a modern actor from voice work, movement,

improvisation and characterisation applied to text, including additional

specialist courses inStage Combat, Dance, Radio,

TV & Film.

RealityExperienceProfessionalism

Thinking of theatre?Want to be successful at auditions?Do you need to speak in public?Would you like to feel more confi dent in presenting yourself?

Cygnet offers a range of courses for anyone over the age of 18 years. For more details please see www.cygnettheatre.co.uk or email info@cygnettheatre.co.uk

Five day courseCygnet offer a full time fi ve day summer course usually held during August.

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Diary DatesSeptemberSat 20th Short Course Cygnet Theatre 10.00amSun 21st Short Course Cygnet Theatre 10.00am

Mon 22nd Pride & Prejudice Cygnet Theatre 7.30pmTue 23rd Pride & Prejudice Cygnet Theatre 7.30pm

OctoberFri 3rd Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me Cygnet Theatre 7.30pmSat 4th Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me Cygnet Theatre 7.30pmFri 10th Into The Breach Cygnet Theatre 7.30pm

Sat 18th Short Course Cygnet Theatre 10.00amSun 19th Short Course Cygnet Theatre 10.00amTue 28th Trinity Cygnet Theatre 7.30pmWed 29th Trinity Cygnet Theatre 7.30pmThu 30th Trinity Cygnet Theatre 2.00pmThu 30th Trinity Cygnet Theatre 7.30pmFri 31st Trinity Cygnet Theatre 7.30pm

NovemberSat 1st Trinity Cygnet Theatre 2.00pmSat 1st Trinity Cygnet Theatre 7.30pmMon 3rd Workshop (Chantry Dance Company) Cygnet Theatre 2.00pmThu 6th Passion Cygnet Theatre 7.30pmFri 7th The Happy Prince / The Bob Dylan Ballet Cygnet Theatre 7.30pmSat 8th Casualties of War Cygnet Theatre 7.30pmMon 10th Workshop (Exim Dance Company) Cygnet Theatre 2.00pmFri 14th ImPACT Tour Cygnet Theatre 7.30pmSat 15th Short Course Cygnet Theatre 10.00amSun 16th Short Course Cygnet Theatre 10.00amFri 21st In Love With Love Cygnet Theatre 7.30pmTue 25th Workshop (Glyndebourne Academy) Cygnet Theatre 10.00am & 2.00pmWed 26th Five Deaths and a Happy Ending Cygnet Theatre 1.00pm Please note this is a schools performanceSat 29th When the Moon is Full (Wren Music) Cygnet Theatre 7.30pm

BOOKING DETAILSCygnet Theatre 01392 277189

EVIT (Exeter Visitor Information and Tickets) 01392 665885 Tickets online www.wegottickets.com

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