ARCHIVE: Living Quarters

About

We are delighted to announce our new production of Living Quarters, by the Irish playwright, Brian Friel, celebrated author of Translations, Faith Healer and Dancing at Lughnasa. This is a major step in our ever increasing repertoire as a producer.

We’re thrilled to build upon our flourishing relationship with Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory as we co-produce with them, with the inimitable Andrew Hilton directing.

An ordinary army officer suddenly becomes a hero in middle age. He returns in triumph to his battalion base in Donegal, to his family and to his young second wife. But a day of celebration will soon turn to tragedy.

The heart-rending story is fascinatingly told as a perpetual reconstruction, presided over by a master of ceremonies, referred to only as ‘Sir’. The characters break from the narrative to plead with him to allow them to alter the course of events, but he ensures they follow on remorselessly to the moment that changed all their lives.

This captivating play, from one of the greatest playwrights of all time, has only ever been professionally performed once in England before, when it was directed by Andrew Hilton for Show of Strength in Bristol over 20 years ago. We’re excited that Andrew will return to direct a new production of this underperformed masterwork.

Image: Graphic Design by Dani Mayes & Dan Harker / Caravan at the beach by Morrison, R (1980s). Auckland War Memorial Museum – T?maki Paenga Hira. PH-NEG-RMS12-5-23 / Simon Armstrong by Jennie Scott

RUNNING TIME1hr 50mins
VENUEFactory Theatre

PREVIEWS
Thu 17 - Mon 21 September 8pm£11

Matinées
Saturday 2.30pm£13

ALL OTHER PERFORMANCES
8pm Full £16 / Concession £13
(No Concession Fri or Sat eve)

Reviews

Array

“A rich, humane drama”
The Guardian on Living Quarters at Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum, 2007
“Brilliant directing from Andrew Hilton is supported by terrific acting from all the cast.”
Plays International on Andrew Hilton’s production of Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia, 2014
“There is no holding back Tobacco Factory Theatres ... this thriving relationship has spawned a bold co-production of a rarely seen work by Irish writer Brian Friel. Hilton’s command of theatre in the round serves his nine-strong cast well.”
The Stage
“Director Andrew Hilton displays his usual mastery of ensemble playing: the pleasure expressed in the interaction between members of the cast is contagious and the Tobacco Factory’s in-the-round seating provides just the right sense of over-heated intimacy that the play demands.”
The Arts Desk
"... spell-binding performances that are convincing in their regret and remorse."
The Public Reviews
"Balancing the play’s developing tragedy and his character’s own abrupt humour is a difficult task, but one that Bianchi manages superbly. Director and cast present this modern myth with astonishing realism ... it’s the attention to detail that makes this production so evocative."
Bristol 24-7
Array
StageTalk Magazine

Array

“A rich, humane drama”

“Brilliant directing from Andrew Hilton is supported by terrific acting from all the cast.”

“There is no holding back Tobacco Factory Theatres ... this thriving relationship has spawned a bold co-production of a rarely seen work by Irish writer Brian Friel. Hilton’s command of theatre in the round serves his nine-strong cast well.”

“Director Andrew Hilton displays his usual mastery of ensemble playing: the pleasure expressed in the interaction between members of the cast is contagious and the Tobacco Factory’s in-the-round seating provides just the right sense of over-heated intimacy that the play demands.”

"... spell-binding performances that are convincing in their regret and remorse."

"Balancing the play’s developing tragedy and his character’s own abrupt humour is a difficult task, but one that Bianchi manages superbly. Director and cast present this modern myth with astonishing realism ... it’s the attention to detail that makes this production so evocative."

Array

Rehearsal Photos

Production Photos

ARCHIVE: Living Quarters

Array

“A rich, humane drama”

“Brilliant directing from Andrew Hilton is supported by terrific acting from all the cast.”

“There is no holding back Tobacco Factory Theatres ... this thriving relationship has spawned a bold co-production of a rarely seen work by Irish writer Brian Friel. Hilton’s command of theatre in the round serves his nine-strong cast well.”

“Director Andrew Hilton displays his usual mastery of ensemble playing: the pleasure expressed in the interaction between members of the cast is contagious and the Tobacco Factory’s in-the-round seating provides just the right sense of over-heated intimacy that the play demands.”

"... spell-binding performances that are convincing in their regret and remorse."

"Balancing the play’s developing tragedy and his character’s own abrupt humour is a difficult task, but one that Bianchi manages superbly. Director and cast present this modern myth with astonishing realism ... it’s the attention to detail that makes this production so evocative."

Array

Rehearsal Photos

Production Photos

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