Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre launches its new Spring – Summer 2015 Season with Olivier-nominated Ellen McDougall directing Jo Clifford’s stripped back, contemporary adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel Anna Karenina, a co-production with West Yorkshire Playhouse.
This is the Exchange’s second collaboration with Leeds’ WYP following the huge success of Sweeney Todd in autumn 2013.
tells the story of Anna – a dutiful wife and a loving mother. When she meets Alexis Vronsky, she finds she cannot deny the life-affirming truth of her own heart. She quickly realises the conventional world she inhabits is intent on crushing this new life she has discovered within her.
In a parallel story, Levin is trying to live justly in a social system built on injustice. When his love for a childhood friend ends unhappily, he tries to deny its existence. But like Anna discovers he cannot.
Tolstoy’s epic masterpiece explores what happens when two very different couples grapple with the strongest emotion we humans are capable of feeling, love .
Ony Uhiara, who takes the title role, was last seen in the world premiere of Rory Mullarkey’s Cannibals.
The cast also includes Anthony Barclay, Donna Berlin, Claire Brown, John Cummins, Ryan Early, Robert Gilbert, Jonathan Keeble and Gillian Saker
Olivier-nominated director Ellen McDougall makes her Royal Exchange debut with this fast-moving modern version of one of the greatest novels ever written.
She received an Olivier nomination for her 2010 production of Ivan and the Dogs, while Writer Jo Clifford is the author of over 70 plays, many of which have been performed all over the world.
A Royal Exchange Theatre and West Yorkshire Playhouse co-production
ANNA KARENINA
From the novel by Leo Tolstoy
Adaptation by Jo Clifford
Directed by Ellen McDougall
The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Thursday 19 March – Saturday 2 May 2015
Evening Performance Times:
Monday – Saturday, 7.30pm
(no evening performances 20 – 24 April / 28 – 29 April and 1 May)
Matinee Performance Times:
Wednesdays & Saturday 2.30pm
(no matinee performances Wednesday 25 March. Saturday 28 March and Wednesday 22 April)
Half Price Previews: Thursday 19 & Friday 20 March
Press Night: Tuesday 24 March, 7.30pm
Ticket Prices: Standard tickets from £15 (Concessions Available)
Audio-described Performance: Saturday 25 April, 2.30pm
BSL Interpreted Performance: Monday 27 April, 7.30pm
Captioned Performance: Thursday 30 April, 7.30pm
After-show discussion: Thursday 26 March after 7.30pm performance
Box Office: 0161 833 9833.
On-line: www.royalexchange.co.uk/bookonline www.royalexchange.co.uk
