Crawling in the Dark

by Natalie Mitchell A new play for young people

Ticket prices: £3 - £5

Tue 5 Apr 2011 - Fri 8 Apr 2011

“Not seen enough yet? Or waiting for something else to happen so you can go and tell everyone what a state my mum is?”

Amber and Nathan’s party-going mum Liz has started staying out later; their concern for her safety deepens as they realise that she is concealing a dark secret. The responsibility of caring for their mother becomes unbearable, affecting their school work and friendships. Engulfed by fear, Amber and Nathan are torn between keeping the family together and facing up to the help they need.

Inspired by David Eldridge’s The Knot of the Heart, Crawling in the Dark is a frank coming of age story that explores issues of personal responsibility. This is the seventh play that the Almeida Theatre has commissioned for young people.

The performance on Tuesday 5 April includes a curtain-raiser performance by the Young Friend of the Almeida Touring Company. This will last for no longer than 30 minutes followed directly the performance of Crawling in the Dark.

Ticket Prices: £5
No concessions available

Performances
Tue 5 & Wed 6 April at 2pm
Thu 7 April at 10.30am & 2pm
Fri 8 April at 2pm

Running time is approximately 55 minutes. Please note latecomers will not be admitted.

The age guidance for this production is 13+

Education bookings
Tickets for school are discounted to £3 for schools in Islington, Camden, Hackney, Haringey or Tower Hamlets. £5 all other schools.

For more information about education bookings please visit the Projects section of our website.

Crawling 740 gallery.jpg - Kellie Bright (Liz) & Tahirah Sharif (Amber). Photo: Ludovic des Cognets
Crawling 113 gallery.jpg - Michael Lewis (Nathan). Photo: Ludovic des Cognets
Crawling 196 gallery.jpg - Tobi Bakare (Freddie). Photo: Ludovic des Cognets
Crawling 219 gallery.jpg - Tobi Bakare (Freddie) & Kellie Bright (Liz). Photo: Ludovic des Cognets
Crawling 256 gallery.jpg - Kellie Bright (Liz). Photo: Ludovic des Cognets
Crawling 333 gallery.jpg - Tobi Bakare (Freddie) & Michael Buffong (Director). Photo: Ludovic des Cognets
more..

Creative Team

Natalie Mitchell Writer

Michael Buffong Director

Signe Beckmann Designer

Camilla Evans Casting

Natalie Mitchell

Writer

Natalie Mitchell is a writer and theatre facilitator who currently works full time as Projects Coordinator at the Almeida Theatre. In 2007, her first play, Can't Stand me Now, was presented as part of the Royal Court Young Writer's Festival. Following this, she was invited to represent the UK at the World Interplay Young Playwrights festival in Australia. The play that was developed there, White Riot, was subsequently long listed for both the Rod Hall Award and Bruntwood Prize in 2008 and produced by YOCA Arts at The Space in July 2010, before transferring to the Barking Broadway. Natalie has also had work presented at the Soho Theatre, Hampstead Theatre and for Root Theatre / ATC. Natalie’s radio credits include the short play, Shower, and Proud, which was broadcast on The Wire on Radio 3 in March 2011.

Michael Buffong
Director

Michael has recently directed Private Lives at the Royal Exchange, Manchester which runs until April 2011. Also at the Royal Exchange he has directed A Raisin in the Sun, All The Ordinary Angels and Six Degrees of Separation. The West Yorkshire Playhouse production of To Kill a Mockingbird he directed also played at Birmingham Rep followed by a UK tour. In television he has worked on series such as Holby City, Eastenders, Hollyoaks and Casualty.

Theatre includes: Little Sweet Thing (Hampstead Theatre); Raising The Roof (Palace Theatre); Long Time No See (Talawa Theatre Company, Stratford Circus); Souls (Theatre Centre); The Prayer (Young Vic).

The Stage's Susan Elkin reviews Crawling in the Dark and is more than impressed.
Read full article

Writer Natalie Mitchell talks to thearts desk about writing Crawling in the Dark for a young audience and the Almeida Theatre's flourishing Young Friends scheme.
Read full article

"So enjoyed the show (Crawling in the Dark ) this morning. Great cast, fresh twist"

"We loved Crawling in the Dark yesterday. Funny, moving and utterly absorbing. Natalie Mitchell told a great story so well."

"[Saw] Crawling in the Dark yesterday - a truly brave, challenging and moving piece of theatre for young people - go and see it!"

"Loved it. Well done to all, a cracking piece of writing and a fantastic production - not a dry eye in the house!"

Feedback from students at Highbury Grove School and Woodside High School.

"Brilliant storyline, very emotional / powerful. Amazing actors, very inspiring, love it 11/10."

"I thought the play was brilliant. All of the actors gave great performances. I believed all of the actors. I was really sucked into the story."

"Amazing. Never before have I cried for a live performance. Truly moving. I would definitely watch it again. 10/10!"

"I thought the play was amazing. And how all of the actors used their vocal skills / movements to create tension when needed. How the audience knew what the mother was doing without them saying."

"Brilliant, dramatically awesome!"

"The show was really emotional. I loved all the characteristics. The beginning and ending was wicked. Good job."

"Very good. Emotionally connected with play. Excellent communication and use of sounds. Very entertaining."