The Journal Tyne Theatre, Newcastle


13 – 17 Oct
 2009

0870 1451200


www.thejournaltynetheatre.co.uk

A new production by Birmingham Stage Company, directed by Phil Clark.

The visit is part of a major 10-city tour culminating in a six-week Christmas season at

The Bloomsbury Theatre in London.

‘This eloquently presented, lyrical adaptation is spookily lit and breathily paced,

maintaining the emotional charge of the story.’ Time Out

‘The BSC’s production of this wondrous and multi-layered story is riveting.

Skellig is powerfully played by Neal Foster and his presence is awesome.

Raw emotion contrasts with great tenderness.’ The Stage

‘Seamless, sophisticated theatre with a real emotional pull. You’ll come out feeling as if you had Skellig’s wings:

and longing for Chinese takeaway and brown ale – ‘blinkin’ nectar of the gods’.’ Birmingham Post

Adapted by David Almond from his own novel, the play was first produced in 2003 at The Young Vic, directed by Trevor Nunn, where it broke all box-office records. The novel, first published in 1998, won the Carnegie Medal, The Whitbread Children’s Book of the Year Award, and string of prizes around the world. It has been published in over thirty languages. As well as being adapted for stage, the book has become a radio play (BBC Radio 4), an opera (produced at The Sage Gateshead in 2008), and a movie starring Tim Roth in 2009. The book and its various incarnations, continue to fascinate and inspire an audience of all ages all across the world.

‘Gripping, beautiful and brilliantly written. Everyone is raving about this unforgettable book.’ The Sunday Times

‘Tells a story of love and faith with exquisite, heart-fluttering tenderness. It is an extraordinarily profound book, no matter how old the reader.’ Whitbread Judging Panel.

‘One of the best novels published in the last decade. A beautifully simple and bottomlessly complicated story.’ Nick Hornby.

David Almond was born in Newcastle, grew up in Felling-on-Tyne, and lives in Northumberland. His most recent books are Jackdaw Summer and The Savage. He is currently writing My Name is Mina, which explores the life and thoughts of Mina McKee, a character from Skellig. This will be published in 2010.