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Dateline: 9th June, 2005
Steam Industry Returns to the Scoop The Steam Industry returns to the Scoop, More London's beautiful amphitheatre, to present London's free Open-Air Theatre Season 2005. Set on the banks of the Thames, under the lights of Tower Bridge, this dramatically atmospheric setting offers the perfect stage for ancient Greek theatre… and so the company revisits the writings of ancient Greece once again, with a rare production of Euripides' classic drama, Children of Hercules in a new translation by Kenneth McLeish (world premiere). The company will also perform a show for all the family, presenting a new stage adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's best-loved adventure story, Treasure Island, offering great sea-faring fun for all ages (5+). Directed by Phil Willmott, the season opens on 7th July and runs until 14th August (Wednesday - Sundays only), performing in repertory. Following past productions of Oedipus ('03), Agamemnon, Androcles and the Lion and The London Nativity ('04), London's Free Open-Air Theatre Season returns to the Scoop for its third year this summer. Attracting a culturally diverse audience, it has successfully built up a reputation for presenting high quality theatrical entertainment in this unique and stunning setting, open to everyone to enjoy and experience, without the traditional barriers of place or price. Euripides' masterpiece, Children of Hercules presents a gripping tale of dispossessed refugees seeking asylum in a city like ours. The play's lively public argument perfectly suits the company's skill for presenting ancient ethical dilemmas as pertinent contemporary debate. Fleeing persecution from their dead father's enemy, the children of Hercules are cast out of their homeland in a desperate search of safety, winning asylum in Marathon. But the price for liberty is a bloody one, and soon their persecutors are waging war on the city and all its people. A classic family favourite, Treasure Island follows Young Jim Hawkins and his motley crew across the ocean in their search for hidden pirate spoils. With mutiny in the air they soon face deadly peril from the most ruthless pirate to ever terrorise the seven seas - Long John Silver! So can young 'Jim lad' out-wit the scoundrel and live to claim the treasure? With lashings of comedy, live music, pirates, parrots, puppetry and fast-moving action, this production offers an adventurous and entertaining treat for all ages (5+). As part of its free open-air theatre season, the company is participating in Southwark Council's STEP Festival, working with four local schools to create a new piece of theatre celebrating the life of Hercules. The STEP performance will take place at the Scoop on 15 July at 2pm. The company will also be running two weeks of free drama activities aimed at young people (aged 10-21 yrs) from the local Southwark community, which will culminate in a series of public performances at the Scoop. Directed by Phil Willmott, with Set and Lighting Design by Hansjorg Schmidt, Costumes by Miranda King and Peter Mulloy, Music Composed & Directed by Joe Fredericks, Choreography by Darren Royston, and Fight Direction by Marcello Marascalchi. The cast includes: Ally Holmes, Amy Ip, Andrew Venning, Bea Holland, Christopher Chamberlain, Edward Jaspers, Jonathan Lisle, Julius Barnett, Kerry Skinner, Lara-Michelle Goodfellow, Martin Nee, Matthew Hodson, Nick Smithers, Nicola Delaney, Olivia MacDonald, Phil Sealey, Phil Willmott, Robert Donald, Stewart Alexander, Tom Hambleton, Ursula Mohan. This year's season is supported by More London as part of its wider free public events programme, Arts Council England, Rio Tinto, Southwark Council, and Ernst & Young. Produced by Suzanna Rosenthal. Please note that all three Archive indices are very long and will therefore take some time to download.
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