Laika is a new Unicorn sci-fi adventure, created by performers Bryony Hannah and Ayve Leventis, using puppetry, music and movement, about a young boy, his astronaut Mum and Laika, the space dog.
Designed by Verity Quinn, with composer is Adam Pleeth, sound design by Alma Kelliher and lighting by Marty Langthorne, the production plays the Unicorn Theatre Sunday 24 September - Sunday 12 November 2017, with a press performance on Tuesday 3 October 2017.
Laika, the first living creature to orbit earth, took part in the Soviet space programme. That was in 1957. Today it's 2057, and Sami lives with his mum, an astronaut who thinks there could be a future out in space. But Sami's doesn't understand why she has to leave as his life is on planet earth.
Written and directed by renowned theatre-makers Bryony Hannah and Avye Leventis, Laika is the first show they have made together. This richly inventive and subtly complex space odyssey, created for ages 6 - 12-year-olds, gently examines what lies at the heart of our lives - is it desire for adventure and the unknown or are we happier when we can have those closest and most familiar around us.
The cast includes Nima Taleghani as Sami, Anna Martine as Val and Josie Daxter as Laika.
Bryony Hannah is an award-winning actress from stage and screen. Her many theatre credits include Blurred Lines (National Theatre), The Children's Hour, for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award, Earthquakes in London (Headlong/NT), Irregular Breathing (The Gate), The Winter's Tale (Headlong) and War Horse (NT). Her television credits include playing series regular, Cynthia Miller in Call the Midwife (series 1-6) BBC, Unforgotten (BBC), Dead Boss and Life's Too Short.
Avye Leventis is an actor, puppeteer and movement artist. Her previous work at the Unicorn includes The Iron Man, Something Very Far Away and At The End of Everything Else. Her most recent stage credits include Venus and Adonis (RSC), The Elephantum (National Theatre), Brief Encounter (Kneehigh), A VERY OLD Man with Enormous Wings (Kneehigh/Little Angel). Film credits include Gravity, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Jungle Book and Stephen Spielberg's soon to be released Ready Player One.
IF YOU GO:
LAIKA
Sunday 24 September - Sunday 12 November 2017
At Unicorn Theatre 147 Tooley Street London SE1 2HZ
www.unicorntheatre.com
Box Office: 020 7645 0560
Under 18s £10 - £12 / Adults £10 - 18 (includes Preview Prices)
Age guide: 6 - 12 / Duration: Approx 1 hr
Access Performances:
Relaxed Performances are open to everyone but focus on supporting those on the autism spectrum and those with learning disabilities. Wed 18 Oct, 10.30am / Sun 5 Nov, 2pm
Pre-Show Touch Tours offer a chance for those with visual impairments to explore the set, costumes and props. Wed 1 Nov, 10.30am / Sat 4 Nov, 11am
Twitter: @unicorn_theatre
Facebook: www.facebook.com/unicorntheatre
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