Nottingham-based New Perspectives is to tour a new adaptation by David Rudkin of M R James’s “best-loved” tale Oh Whistle And I’ll Come To You.
Rudkin’s “spine-tingling” adaptation marks 80 years since the death of James, “the father of the modern ghost story”, and Rudkin’s 80th birthday year.
The play’s director, Theresa Keogh, said, “there are few stories as beloved as M R James's ghost story but David Rudkin's version doesn't disappoint. He has taken James’s nightmare universe and crafted a uniquely fresh and chilling world; a tour de force of writing uniting both writers at the height of their powers. It’s a play for the most devoted fans of M R James and newcomers alike.”
New Perspectives artistic director Jack McNamara said, “following on from our international success with Rudkin’s The Lovesong of Alfred J Hitchcock both here and in New York, we’re delighted to be working with this incredibly distinctive writer again.
“Oh Whistle is a brilliantly simple ghost story yet Rudkin manages to bring out such depth, humour and complexity in his new version.”
The play follows Professor Parkins who discovers an ancient whistle with an inscription urging him not to blow it. After ignoring the warning, the professor starts to see and hear things that go against his rational judgement.
Mark Jardine, who worked with New Perspectives on its 2011 one-man show How Steeple Sinderby Wanderers Won The FA Cup, returns in the role of Professor Parkins.
Jack Wilkinson is also back with New Perspectives and plays Hobbis. He worked with the company on a rehearsed reading in Eyam, Derbyshire of another David Rudkin text, Here We Stay.
Oh Whistle And I’ll Come To You begins its tour at the Bonington Theatre, Arnold, Nottingham on Friday 11 November and plays Highbank Community Centre, Clifton, Nottingham on Saturday before moving on to rural venues around the country.