Productions
Rupert Brooke first opened as a co-production with York Theatre Royal in 2008, marking the 90th anniversary of the First World War Armistice. It was a huge success in York, with ticket sales demanding the show be moved from the studio to the main house. The production then went on to tour successfully across the UK and will again be touring this autumn. Visit us again soon for the 2010 venues and dates.
Mark Payton's inspired and meticulous play is the story of the Brooke beyond the myth of a young, beautiful, fallen warrior. It is the story of a far more complex and radical man. Following the legendary 'war' poet from his time at Cambridge to his death in the Aegean Sea, Rupert Brooke reveals a man with a tumultuous personal life, a man not afraid to shock his audience, and a man vulnerably reaching to be 'forever England'.
Before the show opened in York, Useful Donkey had the privilege of performing the show at The Orchard in Grantchester, at the invitation of The Rupert Brooke Society. Once home to Brooke himself, the Orchard, even through some summer rain, made for the perfect setting. Following that performance we have since performed the show at the Macready Theatre at Rugby school, where Brooke lived and was schooled before he went to Cambridge. Dr Mary Archer also invited the company to perform the show in 'an old garden crammed with roses' at the very famous Old Vicarage in Grantchester, the inspiration for one of Brooke's most iconic poems.
Please visit www.orchard-grantchester.com for more information about the Orchard and the Rupert Brooke Museum and www.rupertbrooke.com for information about the Rupert Brooke Society.
| Date | Venue | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 12th October | Old Town Hall Theatre, Hemel Hempstead www.dacorum.gov.uk/arts |
01442 228091 |
| Wednesday 13th October | Auden Theatre, Greshams School, Holt www.greshams.com |
01263 713444 |
| Saturday 16th October | Roxburgh Theatre, Stowe School www.stowe.co.uk |
01280 818000 |
| Saturday 23rd October | Trinity Arts Centre, Gainsborough www.trinityarts.co.uk |
01427 676655 |
| Tuesday 26th October | stage@leeds, University of Leeds www.stage.leeds.ac.uk |
0113 343 8730 |
| Thursday 28th October | Maltings Theatre, Berwick-upon-Tweed www.maltingsberwick.co.uk |
01289 330999 |
| Sunday 31st October | Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk |
01202 885566 |
| Tuesday 2nd November | Greenwich Theatre, London www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk |
0208 8587755 |
| Saturday 6th November | Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven www.rosehilltheatre.co.uk |
01942 692422 |
| Sunday 7th November | Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton www.arena.wlv.ac.uk |
01902 321321 |
| Thursday 11th November | Chapman Theatre, Queen MargaretŐs School www.queenmargarets.com |
01904 728261 |
| Thursday 18th November | Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham www.lakesidearts.org.uk |
0115 8467777 |
BUY THE CD!
A CD of 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. Click here to buy it now!
£1 from every copy sold will be donated to the Armed Forces Memorial Appeal.
Forthcoming Productions
Absolutely Diabolical
Currently under development is an exciting new musical entitled Absolutely Diabolical.
It is the story of Delilah Norman, an aspiring actress working in a branch of 'Queequegs' Coffee Shop in the West End of London. Ever the optimist, Delilah sees the silver lining in every cloud and is convinced, 'everything is going to be just fine'. And it is. Until Mr Harry Cloot turns up and offers her the opportunity of a lifetime...
With Marlovian temptations, characters such as Ichabod Du Craneur and Otius Gadabout and a superb original score, Absolutely Diabolical promises to be one hell of a ride!
The Gravediggers
All families have secrets. Not all families have secrets as big as Derek's.
Inspired by the likes of Tony Hancock, Steptoe and Count Arthur Strong, The Gravediggers is a brand new dark comedy that has nothing to do with grave digging. But it does have everything to do with hidden treasure, a beautiful girl and a couple of well used thermos flasks.
Puss in Boots
or, as he likes to be called, The Master Cat...
"It's all very well for you, my brothers! But what have I got? Just a stupid cat!"
"Not so stupid, master! Give me a sack and a pair of tall boots and trust me I will make your fortune..." With nothing to lose but a 'stupid cat' the Miller's youngest son agrees and embarks on a journey full of mystery and adventure.
With original songs, a bucket load of imagination and a very special cat, Useful Donkey presents our first show for people aged 3 and up.