Newcastle-under-Lyme’s New Vic and theatre company Told by an Idiot are to collaborate for the first time on a revival of Frank Marcus’s 1960s play The Killing of Sister George.
Told by an Idiot artistic director Paul Hunter who will direct the play said, "we’re delighted to be co-producing The Killing of Sister George with the New Vic in their glorious in-the-round space.
“At Told by an Idiot, we’ve always been fascinated by inhabiting the space between laughter and pain, and always searched for the snarl beneath the grin.
“When we find ourselves drawn to a script, it’s often because we’re looking for work that puts the audience in a place where they don't know whether to laugh or cry. This was my reaction when out of curiosity I stumbled across this play and I'm really looking forward to reimagining it with a fantastic cast in the Idiot’s 30th anniversary year.”
New Vic artistic director Theresa Heskins added, “as a long-time admirer of Told by an Idiot’s approach to theatre, I’m so looking forward to working with them for the first time as we adapt this landmark drama to fit our unique space.”
The Killing of Sister George observes the life of June Buckeridge who plays the role of kindly district nurse Sister George in fictitious radio soap opera Applehurst. In reality, she is a swaggering, foul-mouthed loose cannon whose career and lifestyle are under threat.
The play explores the volatile relationship between June and her partner Alice and the effect the demise of her fictional character has on her.
The cast comprises Told by an Idiot co-founder Hayley Carmichael as June Buckeridge, Ada Player as Alice “Childie” McNaught, Patrycja Kujawska as Mercy Croft and Rina Fatania as June’s neighbour, Madame Xenia.
Designer is Lulu Tam, lighting designer is Daniella Beattie and Sophie Cotton is sound designer and composer.
The Killing of Sister George will run at the New Vic from Friday 21 April until Saturday 13 May.