Jagged Fence Productions Presents THE HOSTAGE Feb 3-20

Jagged Fence Productions Present The Hostage, By Brendan Behan 3rd - 20th February. Press Night: 4th

Directed by: Adam Penford, Designed by: Morgan Large, Lighting Design by: Emma Chapman

A modern classic by one of Ireland's most acclaimed and controversial playwrights; last seen in London over fifteen years ago, Brendan Behan's most famous play receives an overdue revival.

It's 1958. News that a young IRA man has been sentenced to death by the British reaches the whores, sailors, pimps and revolutionaries who reside in a seedy, Dublin boarding house. In retaliation, the IRA captures a Cockney soldier bringing him to the house. Tension mounts until the execution hour arrives and, with an explosive finale, the hostage's fate is decided.

Behan combines sharp dialogue and black humour with live Irish music and dances to explore the play's themes of prejudice and terrorism. This is a modern classic by one of Ireland's most acclaimed and controversial playwrights.
"...crowds in tragedy and comedy, bitterness and love, caricature and portrayal, ribaldry and eloquence, patriotism and cynicism." Harold Hobson, The Times on the original production.

THE HOSTAGE was translated from the original Gaelic and premiered in 1958 at the Theatre Royal Stratford East under the direction of Joan Littlewood. The cast used improvisational workshops to develop the piece and the text was revised in colaboration with Behan himself. The play was last performed by the RSC in 1994.

Emerging director Adam Penford trained at LIPA and the NT Studio Directors' course and has previously assisted Edward Hall, Tim Sheader and Anna Mackmin. He was resident director on The Vagina Monologues and his production of Holes goes on national tour next year.

Theatre Company Jagged Fence Productions was formed 3 years ago to produce plays that examine themes of social justice and morality, and transgress societal boundaries of class, gender and sexuality. Previous productions include Can't Stand Up for Falling Down at the Arcola, Ours at the Finborough Theatre and Stars in the Morning Sky at Riverside Studios.

Box Office 020 7407 0234
Tickets £8 - £18
Running Time approx: 150
Transport London Bridge Tube / Southwark Tube

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