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It’s risky work, handlin’ men, my lass. For when a woman builds ’er life on men, either ’usbands or sons, she builds on summat as sooner or later brings the ’ouse down crash on ’er head.
The village of Eastwood sits in the shadow of the great Brinsley pit. Its women are wives, mothers and daughters trying to hold their families and their own souls together.
Interweaving three of Lawrence’s greatest dramas, Husbands & Sons introduces us to the now-vanished world in which he grew up. A community built on manual labour, working class pride and fierce tenderness.
Marianne Elliott (War Horse, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) returns to the Exchange with a cast that includes Anne-Marie Duff and Joe Armstrong (Miss Julie) for this major co-production with the National Theatre.
“This is a story about the uncomplicated identity of men clashing with the trapped, frustrated and aspiring souls of these women. I know the Royal Exchange of old. I trained here if you like! It remains in my mind the greatest space for theatre and I’m extremely excited to be returning.” Marianne Elliott, Director
- Event Information
VENUE: The Theatre
PERFORMANCE DATES: Friday 19 February - Saturday 19 March 2016
PERFORMANCE TIMES:
Monday – Saturday evenings, 7pm
Thursday & Saturday matinees, 1.30pmExtra Performances:
Tuesday 1 March, 5pm (no 7pm performance that evening)
Tuesday 8 March, 1.30pm (no 7pm performance that evening)TICKET PRICES:
Standard tickets from £16
Half price previews from £8.50
Seats released on the day £10BOOK TICKETS: Box Office 0161 833 9833 / online
RUNNING TIME: Approx 3 hours including one interval
- Creative Team
DIRECTOR Marianne Elliott
DESIGNER Bunny Christie
LIGHTING DESIGNER Lucy Carter
VIDEO DESIGNER Tal Rosner
MOVEMENT DIRECTOR Scott Graham
MUSIC Adrian Sutton
SOUND DESIGNER Ian Dickinson
FIGHT DIRECTOR Kate Waters
- Related Events
After Show Discussion... HUSBANDS & SONS
Monday 14 March 2016, following 7pm show
Tickets not needed. To book tickets for 7pm show click here.Our after show discussions are a chance to see the latest production in a whole new light. After the performance, members of the cast and creative team return to the stage to answer questions from the audience - why not join the discussion, ask your own questions and enjoy an insider's glimpse into the production process?
Panel Discussion
Marianne Elliott in conversation with Sarah Frankcom
Monday 14 March 2016, 1pm-2pm
Ticket prices: £5 Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 / online
Join the acclaimed Director of HUSBANDS & SONS and the Royal Exchange's Artistic Director as they talk about the production and consider what sparks their imaginations, what it means to be a female director, and how they feel about working in the Exchange's unique theatre space. MORE INFORMATIONEXPLORE: HUSBANDS & SONS
School Workshop, Friday 11 March, 10.30am-12pm
£150 per workshop. Maximum 30 Students. To book click hereThis stimulating workshop will guide students through a practical exploration of HUSBANDS & SONS. Led by an experienced actor from the cast, students will learn a variety of acting techniques and how the production was made. Please note: EXPLORE workshops can take place at your school as well as at the theatre.
Between the Lines… HUSBANDS & SONS
Wednesday 9 March 2016, 11am-1pm
Ticket prices: £6 per session
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 / online
Between The Lines is our playreading and creative discussion group for everyone over 18, designed to accompany productions in the Theatre. At each session we choose a play that is connected in some way to the production, giving participants the chance to read a part, share their ideas and thoughts and gain a news perspective on the latest production. (Sessions do not require everyone to read aloud)
Introducing… HUSBANDS & SONS
Thursday 3 March 2016, 10am-11am
Ticket prices: £6 per session / £4 concessions
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 (individuals) or 0161 615 6702 (schools and groups) / onlineMeet Jo Shepstone, Head of Wigs and Make-up at the Royal Exchange Theatre, as she teaches us how to transform actors into miners through the use of specially made soot! This will be followed by a glimpse into the rehearsal processes used to create the world of DH Lawrence with two performers from the show.
Introducings are pre-show, talk-based introductions to each play and production, for up to 100 people. Led from the stage by the Participation and Learning team, participants will meet actors and members of the creative team and learn all about the process of bringing the play to the stage. These sessions are suitable for groups, schools and individual audience members.
Theatre Café… HUSBANDS & SONS
Thursday 17 March 2016, 11.30am-1pm
Ticket prices: £3 per session and includes one hot drink
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 / online
Theatre Café is a chance to talk about the work we stage here, the state of British theatre and why we make theatre at all. At each session we pose a question that somehow links to the show currently in production. The session starts with informal table conversations over a hot drink, before the opportunity to take part in a wider group discussion when we will be joined by a theatre guest. This is a chance to meet new people, join the discussion and share your thoughts on what theatre is and should be.
Unlock… HUSBANDS & SONS
Thursday 17 March 2016, 5.30pm-7pm
Ticket prices: £6 per session
Book Tickets: 0161 833 9833 / online
Unlock workshops are for everyone over 18. These practical drama sessions are perfect for those who might be new to theatre or want to learn more about the play they are coming to see. At each session we use practical and creative activities to unlock the central ideas of the play currently in production.Wordplay... HUSBANDS & SONS
Wednesday 2 March 2016, 11am - 1pm
Tickets prices: £6 per session
Book tickets: 0161 833 9833 / onlineWordplay Led by professional writers and theatre makers, Wordplay workshops draw on a selection of plays from our repertoire to gently introduce participants to creative writing, with an emphasis on writing for theatre. Each session explores a different aspect of playwriting, taking inspiration from the current Royal Exchange production.
- Accessible Performances
AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE: Saturday 12 March, 1.30pm
BSL PERFORMANCE: Tuesday 15 March, 7.00pm. Interpreter Karl Llorca
CAPTIONED PERFORMANCE: Wednesday 9 March, 7.00pm
Click here for more information about our accessible performances
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Luther Gascoigne
Joe Armstrong
Joe Gascoigne
Matthew Barker
Carlin
John Biggins
Maggie Pearson
Cassie Bradley
Minnie Gascoigne
Louise Brealey
Mrs Gascoigne
Susan Brown
Lizzie Holroyd
Anne-Marie Duff
Lydia Lambert
Julia Ford
Ernest Lambert
Johnny Gibbon
Nellie Lambert/Laura
Tala Gouveia
Walter Lambert
Lloyd Hutchinson
Blackmore
Philip McGinley
Charles Holroyd
Martin Marquez
Gertie Coomer
Katherine Pearce
Mrs Purdy/Clara
Josie Walker
Grandmother
Sue Wallace
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★★★★★ 'Perfect. Anne-Marie Duff is superb' The Times
★★★★★ ‘A magnificent evening’ Independent
★★★★★ 'A major miner triumph. Dramatic gold’ Mail on Sunday
★★★★ 'Burns with sober intensity. A fine-hewn cast’ Sunday Times
★★★★ 'Inspired. A compelling evening’ Daily Telegraph
★★★★ 'Brilliantly original. Gorgeous’ Time Out
★★★★ 'Compelling performances. Absorbing' Evening Standard