The Little Years
By John Mighton
Directed by Adam Barnard
At the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, June 9-26.
As part of a double bill.
Synopsis
1950. Kate is 13. While her classmates gossip about boys, Kate has her eyes on the stars. A science prodigy with ideas light years ahead of the curriculum, Kate rejects schoolwork and the company of her peers in favour of her own thoughts. Kate's talent goes unnoticed. Her school, baffled by her non-conformity and disrespect to teachers, excludes her. As Kate's spark is gradually extinguished, her brother William emerges as one of the most celebrated writers of his generation.
Charting its characters' lives across five decades, The Little Years is the story of the trail of possibilities life leaves in its wake, a moving meditation on time, genius and the way our lives are touched by others that is both hauntingly beautiful and refreshingly funny. First performed to great acclaim in Toronto, Canada, in 1995, this is the European premiere of an extraordinary new play.
John Mighton is best known for his play Possible Worlds, which was made into a film by director Robert Lepage. He played a maths professor in the Oscar-winning film Good Will Hunting. He is also a fellow of the University of Toronto where he has pioneered a programme for teaching underachieving and underprivileged children. One of the most exciting of a new breed of Canadian theatrical talent, Mighton's award-winning work has been performed across North America, but rarely in Europe.
Director Adam Barnard's previous work includes Stephen Fry's Latin! (King's Head, New End, tour: "One of the sharpest and best-acted hours of theatre I have sat through this year" Evening Standard) and three new plays with his theatre company Activated Image ("One of the best new theatre companies around" Edinburgh Evening News), including the Fringe First-nominated Amy Evans' Strike and The Straight Man ("***** Directed with a precision that leaves the competition floundering" Metro).
The production is part of the Orange Tree Theatre's Trainee Director Scheme. It forms one half of a Showcase double bill. Performances are June 9-26, Wednesday to Saturday with matinees June 16, 23, 26.
TO BOOK TICKETS, call 020 8940 3633 or visit www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk
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