Sara Kestelman Stars in the Unicorn's THE SUMMER BOOK, Now thru June 29

Douglas Rintoul returns to the Unicorn to direct Sara Kestelman in Tove Jansson's beautifully crafted, The Summer Book, in an adaptation by Jemma Kennedy. This year marks the centenary of Jansson's birth and this unique story captures much of the writer's own experience of her youth. The show runs today 7 - Sun 29 June 2014 with press night set for Thu 12 June at 7.30PM in the Unicorn's Clore Theatre.

Set on a remote island in Finland, six year-old Sophia and her grandmother while away the summer months together and gradually a deep yet understated love emerges between the two - one that encompasses not just their relationship but the island itself.

Intimate and profound, The Summer Book has been described as a meditation on love and nature. Never sentimental but with quiet understanding and gentle humour, The Summer Book is an astute exploration into how life, death, loss and longing can co-exist in easy companionship. This new Unicorn production will play to audiences of all ages - a modern classic for a child or for anyone who has ever been a child.

Tove Jansson is recognised as one of the leading children's authors of the twentieth century but she was also a prolific, painter, illustrator and comic strip author. She is best known as the creator of the Moomins, which spawned a series of books for children that have been translated throughout the world inspiring a television series, films, an opera and theme parks. The Summer Book is one of her most celebrated books for adults.

Olivier-Award winner, Sara Kestelman, is a well known actress from stage and screen. Her many theatre credits include most recently: Torch Song Trilogy (Menier Chocolate Factory), Making Noises Quietly (Donmar Warehouse) and Hamlet at the National Theatre.

Sara will be joined by newcomers Sammy Foster and Amy Snudden, both sharing the role of six year-old Sophia.

Director Douglas Rintoul returns to the Unicorn following his success with Twas the Night Before Christmas and 1001 Nights, which is touring from May and will make a welcome return to the Unicorn in June. He is the Artistic Director of Transport. His recent theatre credits include As You Like It (UK and European tour), Elegy (Theatre503) for which his script was winner of a Royal National Theatre Foundational Playwright Award, Invisible (UK and European Tour), All My Sons and Of Mice & Men (Watermill Theatre, Newbury), and Measure for Measure (with Complicite as associate director).

Age guide: For everyone aged 6+. The Unicorn Theatre is located at 147 Tooley Street, London SE1 2HZ. Tickets: Adults £16; Concessions £13; Under 21s £10; Previews All tickets £10. Groups of 10+ Every eleventh ticket free. Disabled customers May bring 1 free carer. FAMILY TICKET - 20% OFF when you buy 4 tickets (must include at least 1 Under 21 ticket and 1 adult ticket, no concessions). For more information, visit www.unicorntheatre.com, call the Box Office at 020 7645 0560, or follow on Twitter: @unicorn_theatre and Facebook: www.facebook.com/unicorntheatre.

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