Useful Donkey Theatre Company

BUY THE CD!

A CD of Rupert Brooke's poetry, read by actors and poets including Andrew Motion, Ian McMillan, Ian Duhig, Michael Symmons Roberts, Matthew Hollis, James Wilby and Geoffrey Streatfeild is now available direct from Useful Donkey...

"It's an amazing CD... it's not often you get to hear poetry read so well."

Joy McCall

Welcome to the Useful Donkey Theatre Company's website.

The Useful Donkey Theatre Company is dedicated to producing simple, powerful and entertaining theatre.

The company is made up of four useful donkeys and a larger group of creative types, from designers and composers, to directors and poets, who share the mission of telling great stories in a simple fashion.

Theatre doesn't need to be complicated to engage the imagination, and challenging and provoking an audience need not replace entertaining them.

On the site you will find details of production dates and venues, how to contact us, how you can support the company and much more.

After sell-out performances in 2008 and a successful tour in 2009, our current production Rupert Brooke (in partnership with York Theatre Royal) will be touring again in 2010! Visit us soon for venues and dates.

If you have a venue and would like to book Rupert Brooke for autumn 2010, please email info@usefuldonkeytheatre.co.uk for details.

Reviews

"An excellent one-man show...we were enraptured by Race's rendering of the life and work."

The Spectator

"An intense yet funny account of the poet's life...a compelling and totally absorbing evening."

Kentish Gazette

"For some 75 minutes we are held spellbound by the portrayal of the young poet"

Doncaster Free Press

"...a challenging, moving and, at times, very funny play."

Pocklington Post

Audience comments

"The sad, funny and moving portrayal of Brooke was well crafted and executed. I enjoyed every minute."

"It is hard to remember that it is just one man on stage. It is imaginative, moving, inspiring and poignant. I went half-heartedly, wondering if it would be any good. I recommend it whole-heartedly."

"You connected absolutely, with my own grandfather's story, and I am infinitely grateful."

"I have just returned from the Theatre Royal having enjoyed Rupert Brooke very much indeed - beautifully sustained, subtly lit and full of fascinating detail I was unaware of. Congratulations!"

"Jonathan Race captured the feel of the time and at the end brought us both to tears. The whole production was first class. Thank you for a memorable performance."