The Marlowe Theatre to Take MOBILE on the Road

Mobile is an inventive and intimate show about class, family, aspiration and belonging. For an audience of just nine people at a time, it is based on personal testimonies collected in community workshops .

The caravan will play venues across Canterbury, including The Marlowe Theatre and the High Street, as well as Turner Contemporary, Margate, and schools across east Kent.

Mobile is created by renowned theatre company The Paper Birds, co-commissioned by The Marlowe Theatre and Live Theatre, Newcastle. It is the final play in The Paper Birds' trilogy about class: Blind and Broke have both played The Marlowe Studio.

Andy Dawson, The Marlowe's Head of Creative Projects, said: "With all the wit and tenderness that are the hallmarks of The Paper Birds work, Mobile is a clear-sighted look at the modern reality of a British obsession: class.

"The Marlowe is proud of its partnership with The Paper Birds, which is enabling us create great theatre, both playful and provocative. This show demonstrates our commitment to championing the most bold, challenging and best in new theatre.

"It is a crucial piece in demonstrating how The Marlowe seeks to be much more than a building: it is a champion of great art being brought to and made in our region with, by and for our community."

Mobile tells of Cindy, whose comfortable graduate life begins to unravel but she can't bring herself to move back home. Instead, she finds herself living in her mother's caravan. As she shares her story, her conflicted thoughts and feelings are joined by the voices of others from all walks of lives. Collected by Professor Sam Friedman, of the London School of Economics, these explore experiences, benefits and potential costs of social mobility.

Mobile incorporates performance, story and ideas alongside stunning digital visuals by The Media Workshop and original music composed by Shane Durrant.

Jemma McDonnell, Paper Birds' Artistic Director and Director of Mobile, said: "Mobile is about who we are, where we have come from and the impact on us of our parents' class and upbringing. Social mobility is, very rightly, viewed as a positive force and something for individuals and political forces to aspire to but is it always a positive experience? We look forward to opening up this conversation in our caravan - taking the show to audiences rather than them coming to us in a traditional theatre setting."

Mobile, which is suitable for those aged 12 and over, is on The Marlowe Theatre forecourt on Saturday 9 July; Canterbury High Street, Sunday 10 July, and Turner Contemporary, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July. There are various performance times and each show lasts 35 minutes. Tickets cost £8; to book call the Box Office on 01227 787787 or go to marlowetheatre.com.

October dates at The Marlowe Theatre are still to be announced. As well as Kent, Mobile will play Live Theatre, Newcastle, Latitude Festival and Theatre Royal, Plymouth.

Mobile has been made possible with support from The Marlowe Theatre Development Trust, Arts Council England and the Economic and Social Research Council.

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