Theatre Ad Infinitum’s wordless tale of life, death and enduring love returns to tour the UK following years of extensive international touring amassing nine awards. Original performers George Mann and Deborah Pugh are joined by Sophie Crawford to retell, with precise gesture and touches of humour, the story of widower William who escapes to a comforting world of fantasy and memories rather than confront his grief. From beyond the grave, his wife Rose returns to help him let go. This poignant, life-affirming tale uses intricate and lifelike hand-held masks – created by Madame Tussaud’s senior sculptor Victoria Beaton – to travel back and forth through William and Rose’s relationship, wordlessly conveying a lifetime of memories in 75 minutes.
George Mann said, “I’ll never forget the first performances of this piece and the response of audiences. Translunar came from such a personal impulse – my father was dying of lung cancer and I felt that I was living in a country and a culture that didn’t offer me a way to deal with my grief – the grief I felt knowing he would die; the grief I felt when he died. From this feeling I set about making this show of love, loss and letting go. Sadly my father passed before we completed and premiered the production. But the response was heart-warming – the show created what I can only describe as a communal space of grief – a place in which people could share in their feelings of loss and profound love. It was extraordinary. As were the stories audience members shared with us after every show. It was a humbling and unforgettable experience and I look forward to sharing this show once more.”
The production won multiple awards in the UK and abroad, including Mervyn Stutters’ Pick of the Fringe, the Brave New World Award and Audience Award at the Sarajevo MESS Theatre Festival in Bosnia & Herzegovina, the Best Theatre Direction Award at ACT Festival Bilbao Spain, The Argus Angel Award, Brighton Festival 2012, The Netherlands’ Wijkjury First Prize Award 2014 and The Observer Iron Man Award for actress and musician Kim Heron.
Theatre Ad Infinitum is an international ensemble of theatre-makers based in Bristol, UK, that develops new and original theatre for diverse audiences. Led by Co-Artistic Directors, Nir Paldi and George Mann, the group has been creating and touring critically acclaimed, award-winning productions for 10 years. Theatre Ad Infinitum’s mission is to create theatre that examines social and political themes through innovative storytelling and bold experimental styles, making something completely different each time. The company has recently become and Associate Artist at Bristol Old Vic and is an Associate Artist Alumni at Bush Theatre (2011-2013) The Lowry (2011-2017) and Redbridge Drama Centre (2009-2017). They will be premiering a new show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2018.
Regional Dates:
1 Feb, 7.30pm – Lakeside Theatre, Essex | £13 (£9 concs, £6 UoE students) | lakesidetheatre.org.uk | 01206 873261
21 Feb, 7.30pm – Cambridge Junction | £12.50 (£8 concs) | www.junction.co.uk | 01223 511511
Note: Running Time 70 minutes | Suitable for ages 12+. | For the full list of UK tour dates, more information or to book visit www.theatreadinfinitum.co.uk.
