Salisbury Playhouse and Pentabus Commission New Play by Hattie Naylor

Salisbury Playhouse and Pentabus Theatre Company have commissioned Hattie Naylor (The Night Watch, Manchester Royal Exchange; Clause 39, Salisbury Playhouse Stage 65 Youth Theatre and Radio 4's The Diary of Samuel Pepys) to write As the Crow Flies. It opens at Bromfield Village Hall, Shropshire on 7 March before embarking on a national rural tour including ten performances in The Salberg at Salisbury Playhouse.

Beth has relocated to the country and is struggling to come to terms with her recent divorce. She is visited in her garden by a mischievous crow named Alfie who doesn't understand the challenges she is facing. Based on the true story of a woman who struck up an unlikely friendship with a wounded crow, this is a heart-warming story of healing and kindness. It is a funny, moving and timeless tale of our endless fascination with birds.

Beth and Alfie are played by Natalia Campbell and Tom Brownlee with live music performed by Imelda Warren-Green.

As the Crow Flies is directed by Elizabeth Freestone (former Artistic Director of Pentabus Theatre Company) and designed by Carla Goodman (Exposure and Pig Farm, St James Theatre). The creative team is completed by Composer and Musical Director Dom Coyote (The Story Fishers, National Theatre and Watership Down, Watermill Theatre), Lighting Designer James Mackenzie (This Land, Pentabus Theatre Company and Salisbury Playhouse national tour) and Movement Director Kitty Winter (The Kite Runner, West End).

Director Elizabeth Freestone says "As the Crow Flies is a very original show. A beautiful story, live music and songs, classy design, top-notch performers - and a very tall man playing a very naughty crow. I hope it will delight audiences with its theatricality as well as exploring fascinating ideas about our experiences of time."

Tour schedule:

7 March| Bromfield Village Hall | Shropshire
8 March | Bromfield Village Hall | Shropshire
9 March | All Stretton Village Hall | Shropshire
10 March | Heightington Village Hall | Worcestershire
11 March | Wyre Piddle Village Hall | Worcestershire

16 March | Hereford College | Herefordshire
17 March | Neston Town Hall | Cheshire
18 March |Gawsworth Village Hall | Cheshire
19 March | Plumley Village Hall | Cheshire

22 March | Ketteringham Village Hall | Norfolk
23 March | Cley Marshes Visitor Centre | Norfolk
24 March | Wortwell Community Centre | Norfolk
25 March | Freckenham Village Hall | Norfolk

28 March - 8 April | The Salberg, Salisbury Playhouse | Wiltshire

12 April| Trowbridge Arts | Wiltshire
13 April| Chilmark Village Hall | Wiltshire
14 April| Newton Tony Memorial Hall | Wiltshire
15 April| Somerford's Walter Powell Primary School | Wiltshire

20 April | West Anstey Village Hall | Devon
21 April | North Molton Victory Hall | Devon
22 April| Atherington Pavilion | Devon

26 April | Heanor Baptist Church | Derbyshire

27 April | Terry O'Toole Theatre | Lincolnshire

28 April | Thrumpton Village Hall | Nottinghamshire

29 April | Clent Parish Hall | Worcestershire

30 April | Leintwardine Community Centre | Herefordshire

For more information and to book tickets please go to www.pentabus.co.uk or www.salisburyplayhouse.com.

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