NT : What's On : Productions : Theatre of Blood
Theatre of Blood
by Lee Simpson
and Phelim McDermott
Based on the MGM/Sam Jaffe/Harbor Productions film
an idea by Stanley Mann and John Kohn
and the screenplay by Anthony Greville-Bell
by special arrangement with MGM on Stage
A collaboration between the National Theatre and Improbable.
'Terrific fun. I loved it.' Daily Mail
'Giddily enjoyable. A very palpable hit. Improbable's rip-roaring Theatre of Blood.' Observer
'Jim Broadbent is brilliantly funny.' Sunday Times
'Improbable's exuberant stage adaptation with the great Jim Broadbent and the stunningly talented Rachael Stirling. In more senses than one, a bloody good show.' Independent
'Jim Broadbent is magnificently hammy. Biliously funny, and the graphic death scenes are an ingenious and a gory delight. Funny for everyone but the critics!' Daily Telegraph
'Gleefully gruesome.' Metro
Titus Andronicus… Oh Crikey.Seven self-regarding critics assemble at a disused theatre in response to a mysterious invitation. Too late they discover its gruesome purpose as Edward Lionheart, an actor frenzied by a lifetime of sneering reviews, hacks his revengeful way through the bloody works of Shakespeare, assisted by a gang of murderous tramps.
The laws of theatre supersede the laws of physics in this macabre exhibition of putty noses, Kensington gore and some very large acting indeed.
Jim Broadbent returns to the National to play Lionheart.
Visit www.bloodandguts.co.uk to see a flash presentation about the show.
This show is recommended for 14yrs and up.
Improbable’s previous work includes: 70 Hill Lane, Animo, Lifegame (seen at the NT in May 2004), Cinderella, Coma, Sticky, Spirit and The Hanging Man. They have toured to nineteen countries, winning five major awards in the process.
‘Improbable is one of the brilliant faces of British Theatre.’
Observer
Cast credits:
Chorus : Gerard Bell
George Maxwell : Paul Bentall
Michael Merridew : Bette Bourne
Edward Lionheart : Jim Broadbent
Sally Patterson : Hayley Carmichael
Chloe Moon : Sally Dexter
Chorus : Stephen Harper
Chorus : Nick Haverson
Peter Delvin : Mark Lockyer
Oliver Larding : Tim McMullan
Chorus : Rachael Spence
Trevor Dickens : Steve Steen
Miranda Lionheart : Rachael Stirling
Chorus : Victoria Willing
Chorus : Edward Woodall
Production credits:
Director: Phelim McDermott
Designer: Rae Smith
Associate Director: Lee Simpson
Lighting Designer: Colin Grenfell
Music: Joby Talbot
Published by Chester Music Limited
Illusionist: Paul Kieve
Fight Director: Terry King
Sound Designer: Gareth Fry
photo (Jim Broadbent) by Stephen Cummiskey
Theatre of Blood finished on: 10 September 2005
