Peter Brook’s latest work The Valley of Astonishment is to have its UK première at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry.
Brook has forged close ties with the venue over the past 13 years. The Suit was performed in Coventry in 2001 and Warwick Arts Centre director Alan Rivett invited Brook to return in 2003 to stage the French-language version of his radical, multi-racial account of Hamlet. The arts centre gave La Tragedie d'Hamlet its only UK showing in French.
Warwick Arts Centre has now secured the UK première of Brook’s new work before its performances in London.
This new play “explores the fascinating example of a person who experiences the world in a radically different light”.
The Valley of Astonishment is a “kaleidoscopic journey into the mysteries and wonders of the human brain, as told by Sammy Costa, a journalist (played by Kathryn Hunter) whose boss notices her amazing memory and promptly sacks her as an act of kindness”.
Alan Rivett says, “This is a must-see production by Peter Brook and Marie-Helene Estienne. It’s profound in thought, playful in execution, with exquisite performances throughout.”
The Valley of Astonishment runs at Warwick Arts Centre from Wednesday until Saturday (11 until 14 June).