Wise Children at HOME

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Wise Children at HOME
HOME

Wise Children at HOME Manchester, Manchester 26 February — 2 March 2019 Tickets from £10.00 — Book now

This February Wise Children Theatre Company and The Old Vic bring their world première production of Angela Carter’s novel Wise Children to HOME Manchester.

Emma Rice is an acclaimed director and most well-known for her work with Kneehigh (The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, Brief Encounter, Romantics Anonymous and Tristan & Yseult). Now, she brings her unique and charmingly puckish vision to Angela Carters final novel, Wise Children.

Wise Children is also the first production of her Rice’s new theatre company of the same name. Wise Children Theatre Company seeks to create landmark work with outstanding artists and to challenge existing theatre touring models. Following huge critical acclaim, we’re absolutely thrilled that the debut show from Wise Children will stop off at HOME on its tour of the UK.

The story opens on the 75th birthday of Nora and Dora Chance, identical twin sisters and chorus girls born and bred south of the river in Brixton. It’s 23 April and the sisters share their birthday with William Shakespeare, and their father Melchior Hazard. Celebrating his 100th birthday on the other side of the river in Chelsea, their father is considered to be the greatest Shakespearian actor of his generation.

Now this family tree has a lot of branches – Melchior also shares his birthday with his twin brother Peregrine Hazard, who is believed to be dead. There are also mumblings as to whether Melchoir is the birth father of Nora and Dora.

Wise Children is a rambunctious, saucy and inventive production – a delightful tapestry of theatrical joy and heartbreak. A truly free and spectacular show, which manages to distill the carnivalesque spirit of Carter’s novel while also managing to control any superfluity in its translation to stage.

Expect clever play on multiplicity and Shakespearian illusion; double entendres and skilfull physical comedy; puppetry, reinvention and gender-fluidity. Carter would almost certainly give this production her seal of approval.

Wise Children at HOME Manchester, Manchester 26 February — 2 March 2019 Tickets from £10.00 Book now

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Where to go near Wise Children at HOME

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Restaurant
Indian Tiffin Room, Manchester

Indian Tiffin Room is a restaurant specialising in Indian street food, with branches in Cheadle and Manchester. This is the information for the Manchester venue.

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The Ritz

The Ritz was originally a dance hall, built in 1928, has hosted The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and The Smiths and is still going strong as a gig venue now.

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Small but perfectly-formed café – which also serves as the in-house bookstore, stocking all manner of Burgess-related works, along with recordings of his music. It’s a welcoming space, with huge glass windows making for a bright, welcoming atmosphere.

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This huge three-floor pub, formerly a Victorian warehouse, then an umbrella factory (hence the name), has one of the city centre’s largest beer gardens. The two-tier terrace overlooks the Rochdale canal and what used to be the back of the Hacienda, providing an unusual, historic view of the city.

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The Briton’s Protection

Standing on the corner of a junction opposite The Bridgewater Hall, The Briton’s Protection is Manchester’s oldest pub. It has occupied the same spot since 1795, going under the equally patriotic name The Ancient Britain.

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The influential Castlefield Gallery sits at the edge of Manchester’s exciting Castlefield district, an ideal home for thought-provoking contemporary art.

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