This evening has been tailored towards students and includes a chance to see In The Jungle of Cities, engage in a post show Q&A, as well as pre show meet and greet with the Arcola team. You’ll have the opportunity to find out how Arcola works, from producing, to casting and engagement work, as well as ask questions about the production you have just seen.

We have a group discount for numbers of 10 @ £10, or individually @ £12

For bookings, enquiries and any queries please email us at [log in to unmask] (Quote SCUDD)

 

IN THE JUNGLE OF CITIES

SplitMoon Theatre is presenting IN THE JUNGLE OF CITIES by Bertolt Brecht directed by Swiss German director Peter Sturm at the Arcola Theatre Studio 1, from 18th September to 5th October 2013. This is a unique opportunity to see this early Brecht play, which as far as we know hasn't been professionally performed in the UK for at least 20 years, so it's highly likely no one under 40 will have seen it performed & this may be almost a once in a lifetime chance for interested parties to see this extraordinary play.

“You are about to witness an inexplicable wrestling match between two men and observe the downfall of a family.... Don’t worry your heads about the motives for the fight, concentrate on the stakes. Judge impartially the technique of the contenders, and keep your eyes fixed on the finish.” (Prologue)

 

The play is anarchic & poetic, suffused with surreal elements, it centre's around a metaphorical boxing match between an older man - a capitalist, & a younger man - an idealist, set in a mythical metropolis. It caused an outcry when first performed in Munich in 1923, ninety years on SplitMoon mounts the Jungle for our bankrupt society.

Although the play is written before Brecht fully formulated his theatrical style or political views, it pre-empts them as it looks at ideals vs economics, survival, race & poverty with menace & dark humour. It contains some of Brecht’s most vivid characters & the language is startling in its physicality & imagery.

The world of the play is one of recession, unemployment, where the underworld thrives & the laws of the jungle apply. Alcohol & prostitution offer a means of survival, sex & drink & even poetry (the French poet Rimbaud is directly quoted) offer escape & fun, but even if you get money it doesn’t save your soul.

The characters all struggle for their ‘freedom’ in whatever form that may be. As Garga says “And when you grow up and want to do something body & soul, they pay you, brainwash you, & you’re not even free to fail”.

We do not wish to present the play as a period piece set in 1912 which places the potent issues in the play at a distance but rather locate it in a timeless mythical metropolis. Sadly we do not live in a perfect world & women are still sexually exploited & immigration hits the headlines. SplitMoon believes theatre is a healing space where important issues can be examined & explored in a safe environment. This is the core of theatre something the ancient Greeks understood so well when they created their tragedies.

With an excellent cast of 10 led by JEFFERY KISSOON as SHLINK, Jeffery is a veteran of both the RSC & Royal National Theatre who has worked with the leading directors of his day including Peter Brook most recently he played the title role in 'Julius Caesar' for the RSC & Anthony opposite Kim Cattrall's Cleopatra. JOSEPH ARKLEY plays GARGA, a fiery actor who has also completed several seasons with the RSC.

Note from the director: “Shlink & his gangsters, the fight, the family's fall etc. only really exist in Garga's mind, a traumatised mind whose childhood & innocence is being smashed by the adult world – whereby to grow up is the biggest adventure of all ...”  

 

The play is suitable for age 14 + - it contains a scene where a young woman is sexually harassed & racially offensive language is deliberately used towards one of the characters.   

 

Performances

Monday – Saturday 7.30pm  18^th September – 5^th October

Student evening Monday 30^th September.

Saturday matinees 2.30pm (21^st & 28^th September, 5^th October)

Post-Show Discussion following the Saturday matinees on 21^st & 28^th September

(Recommended for ages 14 +, contains some scenes of a sexual nature)

 

Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8 3DL

Box office: 020 7503 1646  

http://www.arcolatheatre.com/production/arcola/in-the-jungle-of-cities

 

Director                                     Peter Sturm

Designer                                 Nicolai Hart Hansen

Lighting Designer                   Howard Hudson

Sound Designer                       Mike Furness

Costume Supervisor               Natasha Mackmurdie

 

Split Moon performs non-naturalistic drama with an international focus. Working with large casts and live music in a site-responsive way. With an emphasis on the skill of the actor and the magic of language we offer a vivid theatrical experience. A journey into the sweet realm of what is considered wrong.

www.splitmoontheatre.org

Twitter:  @SplitMoonTC     Facebook:       SplitMoon Theatre

Warmest Regards