The Ash Grove
by Nikolaus Morris
'Nikolaus Morris has penned a story of dreams of transitions to maturity, power games and the devastating effect of a manipulative individual...
Jamie Wilkes as the beleaguered Jenkin gave a stunning performance and his antagonist Matt Springett as Callum was a powerfully haunting stage presence...On the whole, ‘The Ash Grove’ conveys the brilliance of Morris’ innovation.' The Yorker |
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A darkly comic new play featuring music and puppetry. A pipe dream seals a group of young men and women in stagnation. Dropping out of society into a state of personal decay they firmly believe that through a period of self-improvement in an isolated farmhouse they will one day re-enter the wider world able to tackle any challenges that they may face with unrivalled confidence and independence. Despite these fantasies, the house has become an arena for power games and manipulation where the permanent residents fall under the charms of Callum: a charismatic and shrewd demagogue. Seemingly invulnerable to Callum’s manipulation is Jenkin, who has found himself alienated from his former friends through Callum’s rhetorical games. In a final attempt to tame him, Callum takes Jenkin’s twin sister as a lover, rekindling Jenkin’s memories of childhood and that ‘something to do with the past’ which maintains his presence in a house where he may not even belong.
Writer & Director – Nikolaus Morris
Assistant Director – Chris Bush
Production Manager – Anna Donaghy
Jenkin – Jamie Wilkes
Callum – Matt Springett
Ruth – Niamh Walsh
Joe – Dominic Allen
Carly – Anna Rohde
Elvin – Paul Young
Mark – Matthew Lacey
Robert – Jonathan Kerridge–Phipps
Alexander – Alexander Wright
Fritz – Ellie Groom
Lighting, Set & Puppet Design – Chris Bush
Technician – Natalie Brown
Live Music and Song Arrangements – Paul Young
Composer – Nikolaus Morris
Sound Recording & Piano – James Taylor
Clarinet – Jessica Morton
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