Brighton Goes A.p.e. For
Published 5th Dec 2003 by Marcus

BRIGHTON GOES A.P.E. FOR CHRISTMAS?


A.P.E., the Brighton-based theatre company founded by a group of leading screen stars including James Lance, Lee Ross and Jo McInnes ? and whose patrons include Alan Rickman, Kathy Burke, and Ralph Fiennes ? is to perform the world premier of "Christmas", a new play by award-winning writer Simon Stephens.

A.P.E. was set up last year, when Lance ("Teachers", "The Book Group", currently playing a lead role in Stephen Fry's "Absolute Power"), Ross ("The English Patient", "Secrets & Lies", "Metroland", "Rogue Trader") and McInnes ("Playing the Field", "Gangster No 1", "Birthday Girl", "Ma Femme Est Une Actrice") became disillusioned with the increasingly formulaic and ratings-driven nature of the entertainment industry.

Their first performance, staged last year, was the UK premier of American play "Tape". Although the three-week run at Brighton's New Venture Theatre was regarded by many as over-ambitious, they were turning away up to fifty people a night towards the end.

The new play, Christmas, is again to be performed in Brighton but the cast, crew and production values will match those of any London show; in fact, most of those involved work regularly in the capital's leading theatres. Alongside Lee Ross, the cast features Alan Williams ("Bright Young Things", "Love in a Cold Climate"), Paul Ritter (RSC, Royal Court, National Theatre) and Bernard Gallagher ("Midsummer Murders", "Relative Strangers", "The New Statesman").

Despite the title, "Christmas" is no light-hearted tale of snowmen and mistletoe ? it's an exploration of grief, masculinity, alcohol and East End working class life which, while in parts hilariously funny, is also extremely dark. Its writer, Simon Stephens, has had his plays performed at theatres such as the Royal Court, as well as on Radio 4, and has just had a filmscript, "Jackdaw", commissioned by BBC Films. He has won various awards, including the Pearson Award for Best Play, and been nominated for an Olivier Award.

In an attempt to provide a whole evening of entertainment, every performance will be followed by live music or a DJ.

The play is being supported by Made in Brighton Ltd, a new initiative from the Arts Council and City Council that aims to encourage local theatre projects, and Yes / No Productions, the people behind Stomp.

After Brighton, "Christmas" transfers to the Bush Theatre in London in January 2004.


PAVILION THEATRE, NEW ROAD, BRIGHTON
6-20 December (not Mondays) 8pm
Tickets ?10/8
Box office 01273 709709

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