- May 2013
‘The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much.’
Conrad’s canonical novel is adapted into an epic one-man show narrated by Marlow, an English sailor given the task of making contact with Mr Kurtz, an elusive ivory trader working deep inland. Marlow describes in visceral detail the shocking and rapacious nature of European ivory-trading and colonialism on the African continent at the turn of the 20th century.
Engaging with a brutal but inescapable aspect of Europe’s shared colonial history we are left with only:
‘The horror! The horror!’
- May 2013
“Does anyone leave this hospital alive?” “Yes, sometimes with all the right bits too, just not necessarily in the right order.”
Surgeons is an original, hour-long comic play set in the staff room of a failing hospital during an inspection. Pitched somewhere between a black comedy and a farce, it owes as much to the Carry-On films as it does to Peep Show.
Over the course of the play the characters will grapple amongst themselves to ask the questions that really matter: ‘What happened to the canary?’, ‘Who is that in the cupboard?’ and ‘Why does it smell of glue in here?’
“I hardly think this is a laughing matter.”
- May 2013
In Williamson’s Chicago real estate office, the Glengarry leads are in and the agents have everything to play for. Levene begs for the leads. Moss will steal for them. All the men bar top dog Ricky Roma are running on borrowed time as they slip down the leaderboard which looms over the office.
Mamet’s bleakly funny tale of bombast and desperation portrays the dark side of the American dream and proves that, in the pursuit of happiness, someone has to lose. This Pulitzer Prize-winning play will ‘grab you by the throat and punch you in the gut’ – but only after it has sucked you into its world.
- May 2013
For one night only, Cambridge's finest will be performing their favourite pieces of verse in an evening that promises to be moving, amusing and (sometimes) rhyming.
Bring along your own favourite poem for a chance to direct the actors on how best it should be performed, and add it to our anthology.
- April–May 2013
"Welcome to Beachy Head, East Sussex, the third most popular suicide spot in the world. Dreadful, isn't it? Only third."
A member of Beachy Head's Chaplaincy Team, Carol, has her work cut out when it comes to saving people from the brink. Join her as she goes above and beyond the call of duty to save depressed romantic Miles, and attention-seeking ex-pop star Randy. A kiss, a date in a greasy spoon cafe, a fight on the cliff tops, an international concert tour, can they help each other find purpose and happiness after all?
From the writer of 'It's Complicated' (Footlights Harry Porter nominee 2012, "wonderfully amusing" - Broadway Baby) and 'Guido!' (“Impressive…ridiculous…really, really fun” - Cambridge Tab) comes a brand new, poignant and genuinely daring new comedy, sensitively exploring the taboo themes of depression and suicide.
- April–May 2013
Jim: Have you been stalking me?
Fred: Do I look like a stalker?
Jim: Yes.
Jim Swain has just seen his latest screenplay, The Journey, turned into a blockbuster smash. But Fred Savage, a mad, bearded homeless man, isn't happy for him. Whilst Jim lives the high life as a successful writer, his pockets lined with cash, Fred stumbles through the cold, treacherous streets of New York, bitter and resentful. The Journey was his idea, Fred claims, a supposedly autobiographical epic about a nasty CIA conspiracy dedicated to his undoing, which Jim overheard him telling to John Kelly (God rest his soul). Fred wants nothing but to exact justice on Jim, so he follows the sycophantic screenwriter from Broadway, down Sherman Avenue, across Dyckman Street, to Riverside Drive, a secluded spot overlooking the Hudson River.
Riverside Drive is a black comedy by renowned humourist Woody Allen.
- March 2013
The beautiful Alcestis has agreed to die so her husband, King Admetus of Pherae, can live. Her husband is distraught at the thought of losing her (though not so distraught as to call the deal off). The whole kingdom is in tears, but at least they have the consolation of knowing it'll make a beautiful story. And so the maiden goes to her death, and everyone agrees it's all beautifully tragic. Everyone, that is, except the hero Heracles. Hard-drinking, over-sexed, in love with life, Heracles can't see the point in being sad when you don't need to. If Alcestis' death makes his friend Admetus sad, he'll bring her back--even if he has to fight Death to do it. But if that happens, what becomes of the beautiful tragedy?
- February–March 2013
Ever wondered what makes all the sound come out of your radio? “Are You Sitting Comfortably?” is a brand new comedy that will take you on a journey through the radio, as we follow the life of the man who lives in there. His life in the FM section of the radio is comfortable enough, but for one thing: he can never be with the woman he loves. She lives in the AM section of the radio, and the two sections of the radio are completely isolated from one another. Three writers from Trinity’s Magpie & Stump comedy society bring you an hour-long story of boy-can’t-meet-girl, bursting with sketches, music, and all the radio-related puns you can dream of.
- February 2013
Richard Cameron's 'Can't Stand up for Falling Down' tells the story of three women who unbeknownst of each other are interlinked by one brutal man (who never actually appears onstage), and does so almost exclusively through monologues. The play outlines the circumstances that bring these three women together.
It is a poetical and nearly lyrical exploration of why we love and the ripples of impact our actions can have, as well as a celebration of women and storytelling.
- January 2013
Ernest Worthing, who doesn’t exist, is engaged to two different women.
Jack and Algernon, the two men who are both pretending to be Ernest, see their second lives collide and their lies of convenience unravel, in this stylish and intelligent masterpiece, where appearance is everything and nothing needs to be taken seriously.
Oscar Wilde's ineffable wit, absurd and ingenious contrivance, and brilliant sense of humour combine in a hilarious evening of period farce in the apposite setting of Trinity OCR.
- June 2011
A wealthy landowner, Tschubokov, grants his neighbour, Lomov, permission to propose to his daughter, Stepanovna. However, before a proposal can actually be made, blazing rows break out between the three: over land both families claim to own and over the superiority of each family’s dog. Tschubokov eventually manages to get both to agree to the marriage, whilst curses and insults continue to be hurled across the room.
- June 2009
In addition to Private Lives, a cabaret will be held after the final performance, on the 9th June. This will be a full reception, and will formally mark the launch of the Cambridge Branch of the Noel Coward Society. If you wish to audition for the cabaret, please pick a song from Noel Coward’s back catalogue to perform.
Also, please attend the specific musical auditions and NOT the theatre auditions as they are separately cast events.
- June 2009
Private Lives is a 1930 comedy of manners by Noël Coward. It focuses on a divorced couple who discover that they are honeymooning with their new spouses in the same hotel. A bubbly and riveting piece, it will be performed in the prestigious Fellows' gardens of Trinity College.
This production will mark the launch of the Noël Coward Society in Cambridge. It has been published in the Noel Coward newsletter, and will be a prestigious event, to which guests and society members will be invited.
A cabaret and drinks reception will take place after the final performance on 11th June, where drinks will be served and Coward's songs performed by some of Cambridge's finest talent. This will take place at 5pm. Tickets cost £3.
- June 2007
- January 2007
The Country Wife, William Wycherley's finest play, comes to Cambridge, bursting with sexual energy, wit and theatrical fun. In the decadent surroundings of Trinity's Great Hall, this gender-bending, lighting-quick romp through the escapades of Messers Horner, Harcourt and Pinchwife will have you gasping and gagging for more.
- February 2006
How do we love someone who falls outside the moral code? Harry and Nan are a couple whose marriage has become a comfortable back drop for witty remarks and infidelity. However, this relationship is tested when their 39 year old son Isaac returns home seeking refuge from his own terrifying feelings towards someone he is forbidden to love. Harry and Nan search for clues, desperate to make sense of this horror, alternately looking for exoneration and punishment for what must be their fault. They want to love him. But they don't know how.
- January 2006
- January 2005
- June 2004
