Preview: Heaven Eyes at Hexham Queens Hall

Théâtre Sans Frontières presents

Heaven Eyes.

A play based on the novel by the internationally renowned writer David Almond. In partnership with Alnwick Playhouse

Heaven Eyes

Hexham Queens Hall

Tuesday 21^st October 2014.

Adapted for the stage by internationally acclaimed children’s author, David Almond (Skellig), Heaven Eyes is a poetic but gritty story about young people trying to find their way in the world.

Three orphaned teenagers (Erin, January, Mouse) run away from the children’s home they live in. They sail down the Tyne on a home-made raft and get stuck on mudflats in the Ouseburn area. Here they encounter a strange girl (Heaven Eyes) who speaks in pigeon English and is living with an old man, Grampa, whose jacket says “Caretaker” on it. The old man spends every evening digging in the mud flats looking for treasures. Mouse joins him. January distrusts the old man and thinks he is going to murder them all. Erin makes friends with Heaven Eyes. As tension mounts between the group, January discovers a photo of Heaven Eyes with her family and finally they begin to learn the truth of her past.

“Almond’s eerie tale is an astonishing piece of writing” The Guardian

Based in Northumberland, David Almond has won numerous awards for his work, including the Whitbread Children’s Book Award and the Carnegie Medal for his first novel Skellig, the internationally prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 2010 and in 2013 the Eleanor Farjeon Award.

Heaven Eyes was first performed on stage by Pop Up Theatre Company at the Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh in August 2005. TSF has worked closely with David Almond on this latest production, collaborating fully on interpretation and any text or scene changes. The production, which runs approximately for one hour and 20 minutes and is suitable for everyone aged 9 years and over.

“So wonderful to see the story recreated and brought to life again”
David Almond in rehearsals with TSF

Performing in Heaven Eyes is TSF regular Paddy Burton (La Pelota Mágica, Contes Dorés, Canary Gold), TSF’s Joint Artistic Director Sarah Kemp and Robert Nicholson (If It’s Not On, It’s Not On). Joining them for the first time are Maria Lindh from Sweden, and Tyneside actors Natalie Ann Jamieson and Lawrence Neale.

The show is directed by TSF’s joint artistic directors John Cobb and Sarah Kemp. The set and costumes are designed by Alison Ashton (Canary Gold, Les Aventures de Lapin) and the music is composed by Ken Patterson (Les Aventures de Lapin, Round the World in 80 Minutes).

Tickets:

Heaven Eyes is at the Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham on Tuesday 21 October at 1.15pm & 7.00pm. Tickets are £5.00 - £12.00 and are available from the Queen’s Hall Box Office 01434 652477 or online at www.queenshall.co.uk

Following the performance, there will be a Q&A session with David Almond, as well as a book signing.

On the web:

Website: www.tsf.org.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theatresansf

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/

On Tour:

Thu, 16/10/2014         1.15pm & 7pm           Alnwick Playhouse    

Fri, 17/10/2014           10am                            Alnwick Playhouse

Sat, 18/10/2014          7pm                             Eastgate Theatre, Peebles

Tue, 21/10/2014         1.15pm & 7pm           Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Hexham

Thu, 23/10/2014         1.30pm & 7pm           Arts Centre Washington

Tue, 28/10/2014         2.30pm & 6pm           Juice Festival - Caedmon Hall, Gateshead

Wed, 29/10/2014       10.30am                      Juice Festival - Caedmon Hall, Gateshead

Fri, 07/11/2014           10am & 1.15pm         The Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth

Tue, 11/11/2014         1.30pm                        The Phoenix, Blyth