MOSQUITOES

18 – 28 September 2024

MAIN HOUSE

By Lucy Kirkwood

Director: Viki Betts

“Sparring sisters collide in science stormer. A spellbinding account of sibling strife in this wonderfully ambitious play set during the Higgs boson breakthrough” Michael Billington, Guardian

Premiered at the National Theatre in 2017, this highly acclaimed play, written by the audaciously talented Lucy Kirkwood, is set in 2008 during a momentous time in scientific discovery. It deals with the large subjects of order and chaos, but also what happens to

domestic order when chaos descends.

Alice is a scientist. She lives in Geneva. As the Large Hadron Collider starts up in 2008, she is embarking on the most exciting work of her life, searching for the Higgs Boson particle. Jenny is her sister. She lives in Luton. She spends a lot of time Googling.

When tragedy throws them together, the collision threatens them all with chaos.

Lucy Kirkwood has established herself as a leading playwright of our time.

This wildly ambitious play is a brilliantly funny and occasionally brutal exploration of the workings of the universe and the connection to own lives. Compelling theatre.

Mosquitoes touches on many adult themes and contains strong language. Performance contains flashing lights and actors smoking cigarettes on stage. Age guidance 15 years +.

This non-professional production is presented in association with Nick Hern Books.

UNCLE VANYA

23 October – 2 November

MAIN HOUSE

By Anton Chekhov

In a new version by David Fletcher

Director: David Fletcher

Sonya and her Uncle Vanya lead a difficult, uneventful life on their country estate, animated only by visits from the dashing local doctor. When Sonya’s famous father and his glamorous new wife unexpectedly turn up, old grudges return and new desires ignite. In the heat of summer, tempers boil over and forbidden lusts threaten to end in tragedy. 

Anton Chekhov's play Uncle Vanya was first staged at the Moscow Arts Theatre in 1899. In this new compelling version by David Fletcher, the script illuminates these characters in the clearest light, fully embracing their tenderness, passion, sadness and comedy in this most exquisite of plays.

An unmissable opportunity to see a new version of a Russian masterpiece. Is there anyone better than Chekhov to offer us a comedic and tragic focus on our humanity – our hopes, dreams and regrets.

GLORIOUS!

27 November – 7 December

MAIN HOUSE

By Peter Quilter

Director: James Suckling

"A delightful and blissfully funny play that generates a glow of warmth and generous laughter."

 Daily Telegraph

In 1940's New York, the performer who everyone wanted to see live was Florence Foster Jenkins, an enthusiastic soprano whose pitch was far from perfect. Known as ‘The First Lady of the Sliding Scale’ and considered ‘the worst singer in the world’, she warbled and screeched her way through the evening to an audience who mostly fell about with laughter. But this delusional and joyously happy woman paid little attention to her critics, instead she was surrounded by a circle of devoted friends who were almost as eccentric as she was.

Based upon a true story, the play, which premiered at the Birmingham Rep in 2005 and transferred to the West End, ran for over 200 performance. It spins from Florence's charity recitals and extravagant balls, through to her bizarre recording sessions and an ultimate triumph at a packed out Carnegie Hall in this sublime and heart-warming comedy.