Toxic Masculinity In Rural England Tackled In Searing New Play At Theatre503
By: Stephi Wild Apr. 09, 2018
Longlisted for The Bruntwood Prize, Carla Kingham directs the world premiere of Phil Ormrod's searing new play Isaac Came Home From the Mountain about searching for a future in the dying heart of England. A lack of opportunity in rural England impacts strongly on young men and breeds a culture of toxic masculinity, which the production is looking to tackle with a comprehensive engagement programme with a variety of youth groups in Wandsworth and Reading.
"That fire - I know you feel it. If you wanted, you could take everything..." Bobby's out of school and out of work. There's nothing going and nowhere to go. A job with Mike seems like everything he needs. A steady wage. A bit of self-respect. A chance to make good. If only it were that easy. Driven by a dogged determination to prove his worth, Bobby makes a devastating mistake that leaves him without the hope of a future.Writer Phil Ormrod originally trained as a director, spending a year at Northern Stage on an RTYDS bursary, and was co-director of Switchback. Previous writing includes Lies About My Father (ARC Stockton, New Diorama), Homelands (Bolton Octagon) and Mary Whitehouse Looks Down from Wherever (Camden People's Theatre). He is currently developing an original series with Kudos (Humans, Utopia).
"Carla Kingham's careful yet fluid direction tempers the inevitable conclusion with a strong sense of hope" The Stage on No Place Like Hope Director Carla Kingham's previous work includes No Place Like Hope (Old Red Lion), Sea Fret (Old Red Lion/HighTide), You're Human Like the Rest of Them (Finborough), After the Heat We Battle for the Heart (VAULTS Festival) and No Border (Theatre503/Oxford Playhouse). She is currently also developing a new musical in collaboration with playwright Jane Upton and musician Hannah Peel, and a stage adaptation of Miranda July's No one belongs here more than you with her company Footnote.Comments
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