UK Theatre Network

LINES returns to the Rosemary Branch Theatre and everybody who missed this powerful and important play the first time should now take the opportunity and see it.

An actor has been murdered. He was stabbed by Terry Stein, the police officer who he was portraying in a play about the Ian Tomlinson incident. Robin, a seasoned writer of verbatim theatre, had interviewed Stein and a police sergeant as part of his research for his docudrama Ian and Bill. Although Stein was only a witness to the Tomlinson incident the writer singled him out and used him as comic relief in his verbatim drama, carefully selecting those parts of the interview that he considered especially ridiculous. The director and the actor, Michael Kinney, gave Stein a stammer and a superhero complex to ensure that they got their laughs during the fifteen minutes the character featured in the play. 

The dramatist (an outstanding Ian Mairs) denies all responsibility. His verbatim play was theatrical journalism and therefore the truth was absolute. Yes, he edited his interview with PC Stein emphasizing the juicy parts but it is a docudrama after all, not a documentary. The Sergeant (Impressive John Canmore) who saw himself being portrayed as vertically challenged with a posh accent and long wavy hair - “He wasn’t even Scottish!” -states that his interview was distorted and perverted and had little to do with the truth. There were omissions and edits to make it more dramatic. The director gave his actors complete freedom – they never listened to the interview tapes. He was satisfied to have them find the truth about their characters “in the words.” Meanwhile the devastated parents (wonderful Jeryl Burgess and David Vale) are trying to cope with the death of their only child: “Something changes when you lose a child. There is no word for a loss that deep.” They reminisce about their son’s career but cannot find any joy in it knowing that his profession was responsible for his death.   

This play asks important questions regarding the dangers verbatim theatre and docudrama.

Until 30th April at 7.00 pm
BOX OFFICE: 020 7704 6665

The Rosemary Branch, 2 Shepperton Road, London N1 3DT

My Name is Rachel Corrie

Coming here is one of the better things I have done.

Taken from the writings of Rachel Corrie this powerful and eloquent piece of theatre documents a young activist who was prepared to risk her life in protest. In March 2003, whilst protesting against the demolition of a Palestinian family's home, 23-year-old American student Rachel Corrie from Olympia, Washington, was killed by an Israeli Defence Force bulldozer.

Sophie Angelson absolutely inhabits the character of Rachel Corrie from the second the lights come on. Full of enthusiasm and joy for life she even sees the positive aspects of an ugly industrial town in Russia that she visits as a young student. After much soul searching she decides to become an artist and writer and her parents support her in her endeavour. When Corrie visits Gaza for the first time she finds a land full of rocks and restrictions. She is appalled by what she experiences as the collective punishment of all Palestinians – curfews, checkpoints, bulldozers destroying homes and orchards. Rachel becomes an activist and joins a peaceful Palestinian resistance organization to do what she thinks is right.  

Alan Rickman and Katherine Viner compiled this rather controversial play from diary entries and emails. There have been various protests and even bans due to the critical nature of the piece which is very critical of Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians. The play was censored in Toronto 5 years ago:

http://rachelswords.org/2006/12/24/rachel-corrie-play-censored-in-toronto/

I think this is a very important and poignant play that introduces us to a truly remarkable woman.

For more information on Rachel Corrie and the efforts to continue the work she began, please visit www.rachelcorriefoundation.org.

Performed as part of a double bill : see Lines with My Name is Rachel Corrie for only £15 for both shows on the same night.

Tickets: £12 /£10
Until 30th April at 8.30 pm, Tuesday to Saturday
BOX OFFICE: 020 7704 6665

The Rosemary Branch, 2 Shepperton Road, London N1 3DT