First Set of OLD VIC VOICES OFF Announced

The first of a number of events aligned with Matthew Warchus' new season at The Old Vic have been announced to coincide with the opening of Future Conditional on Thursday 10 September. The two events, 'Striking a Balance' and 'What Should be at the Heart of Education?' aim to stimulate debate surrounding topics brought to light in Tamsin Oglesby's new play.

As Artistic Director, Matthew Warchus commented:

"Old Vic Voices Off is a vibrant programme to further the conversations around productions on our main stage. We want to question, explore and debate themes raised by the plays and provide a platform for experts in connected topics to come and use The Old Vic to voice their opinions. There's a colourful and wide-ranging approach to my first season and Old Vic Voices Off will reflect this."

Future Conditional, which opens on 10 September 2015 with previews from 1 September, tackles the conundrum of British schooling through a myriad of characters including parents, teachers, and Alia, a prodigiously bright young Pakistani refugee and the newest member of the Education Commission. There are big questions to answer: how do we make the system fair? Do we even want to try? And is anyone ready to take lessons from a schoolgirl...?

Written by acclaimed playwright Tamsin Oglesby, directed by Matthew Warchus and featuring Rob Brydon supported by 24 young performers, Future Conditional proves that when it comes to education, we've all got a lot to learn.

Further events will be announced in continuation with Matthew Warchus' inaugural season at The Old Vic, which features an eclectic programme ranging from a new adaptation by David Hare of Ibsen's classic, The Master Builder, starring Ralph Fiennes, the world premiere of a new musical, Groundhog Day, and a new commission of the stage adaptation of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax.

VOICES OFF - STRIKING A BALANCE

Tuesday 22 September

6-7pm, The Old Vic Rehearsal Room In association with Critical Thinking Support by Prospect Magazine
£10

Are we 'witnessing a constructive merger between scientific and literary cultures?' as evolutionary scientist Richard Dawkins asks in his new book Brief Candle in the Dark: My Life in Science? Or is science somehow detrimental to the quest of the arts and humanities, a topic discussed by philosopher A. C. Grayling in an essay in his recent book The Challenge of Things?

Do science and the humanities represent different or complementary approaches in the same quest: the desire to make sense of ourselves and our world?

Bill Swainson chairs an invigorating debate between by two leading lights in their respective fields.

There will be an opportunity for members of the audience to ask both speakers questions. Richard Dawkins will be signing copies of his book in the Penny bar after the event.

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