TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT Returns to Citizens Theatre

Giles Havergal's internationally celebrated adaptation of Graham Greene's novel, Travels With My Aunt, returns to the Citizens Theatre where it was first performed in 1989, from 3 - 20 May directed by Phillip Breen.

Described by Graham Greene as 'the only book I have written just for the fun of it', Travels With My Aunt is the story of mild-mannered bank manager Henry Pulling. Pulling's quiet existence is thrown into disarray when his eccentric septuagenarian Aunt Augusta suddenly appears and persuades Henry to abandon his suburban life to embark on an international adventure through Brighton, Paris, Istanbul and Paraguay.

Havergal's adaptation of Travels With My Aunt challenges four actors to take on over 20 roles throughout the course of the play. It was first presented at the Citizens Theatre in 1989, going on to win an Olivier Award for its West End run in 1993 and a Drama Desk Award for an Off-Broadway production in 1995. Giles Havergal was Artistic Director of the Citizens Theatre from 1969 - 2003 alongside Philip Prowse and Robert David Macdonald, collectively known as 'The Triumvirate'. Under their leadership, the Citizens consolidated its reputation as a producer of contemporary, challenging and daring work.

The new production includes: Tony Cownie, best known for his directing roles but also for his recent performances in period dramas Union at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and The Libertine at the Citizens Theatre; Ian Redford whose extensive theatre credits include The Alchemist (Royal Shakespeare Company) and TV credits include New Tricks and Coronation Street; Joshua Richards who is well known for his frequent performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company; and Ewan Somers, who appeared in Lanark: A Life in Three Acts, Lot and His God and Rapunzel during his time as a Citizens Theatre Actor Intern in 2015 and was the 2016 member of the Dundee Rep Graduate Scheme.

Directing Travels With My Aunt is multi award winning director Phillip Breen, who returns to the Citizens Theatre having previously directed A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, The Caretakerand True West which transferred to London's Tricycle Theatre. Elsewhere, Phillip has recently directed the Royal Shakespeare Company, Hull Truck Theatre and the Hull UK City of Culture 2017 production of The Hypocrite starring Mark Addy and Caroline Quentin, and a cast of over 200 in TheYork Minster Mystery Plays 2016.

Of his return to the Citizens, Phillip Breen says, 'It's so exciting to be back at the Citizens Theatre to be directing the work of the great Giles Havergal, it's one of the biggest privileges of my life. Travels With My Aunt is funny, wise and poignant, like all the great plays. We're also incredibly lucky to have such a fabulous company of actors too.'

Phillip is joined by creative team Mark Bailey (design), Tina McHugh (lighting) and Dyfan Jones (music and sound).

Tickets are available to buy now from the Citizens Theatre Box Office by calling 0141 429 0022 or by visiting the Citizens' website citz.co.uk.

To post a comment, you must register and login.