A Tale of Two Cities
If you’ve never read Charles Dickens’ novel of revolution and excessive gestures of love, then this is the show for you. If you have read it, this might also be the show for you, depending on how well you remember it.
Lucie Manette and her aristocratic husband escaped Paris at the height of the French Revolution. It was a daring and unlikely escape that traumatised her young daughter, also called Lucie. Now that Lucie the younger is older, she wants some answers from her tight-lipped mother as to what exactly happened. In order to get those answers Lucie is making a documentary, bringing her family together to restage the events that she was too young to remember, in order to finally confront the past. But what they have to say is not what Lucie wants to hear.
From the creators of Paradise Lost (lies unopened beside me) and Juliet & Romeo, comes a re-staging of one of the bestselling novels of all time (allegedly). Featuring live camera work on-stage, and Lost Dog’s acclaimed blend of contemporary dance and theatre, rediscover Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities from a whole new perspective.
This is Lost Dog’s nearly unrecognisable re-imagining of a classic.
A Tale of Two Cities is co-produced by Lost Dog, The Place and Warwick Arts Centre with funding from Arts Council England; commissioned by Théâtre de la Ville, Paris; and supported by China Plate and Worthing Theatres.
Age guidance: 14+
Content warnings: some occasional use of swearing, reference to rape, descriptions of historical violence including executions, depictions of alcoholism.
Approx. running time: 90 minutes
Forthcoming Performances
A Tale of Two Cities is co-produced by Lost Dog, The Place and Warwick Arts Centre with funding from Arts Council England; Commissioned by Théâtre de la Ville, Paris; and supported by Worthing Theatres, The Point, Eastleigh, The Leche Trust and Mike & Caroline Howes.
Lost Dog is supported by Farnham Maltings.
CAST:
Hannes Langolf, John Kendall, Nina-Morgane Madelaine, Temitope Ajose-Cutting, Valentina Formenti
CREATIVE TEAM:
Devised by Ben Duke and the Company
Director: Ben Duke
Creative Advisor, Associate Director: Pip Duke
Designer: Amber Vandenhoeck
Lighting Designer: Katy Morison
Projection Designer: Will Duke
Projection Design Associate: Hayley Egan
Sound Designer: Hjorvar Rognvaldsson
Videographer: Idris Ellis
Dramaturg: Raquel Meseguer Zafe
PRODUCTION & PRODUCING TEAM
Production Manager: Dave Sherman
Technical Stage Manager: Seth Rook-Williams
Stage Manager: Laura Overton Harvey
Touring Technician: Mason Pretorius
Project Producer: Emily Gorrod-Smith
Assistant Producer: Emma Evans
Engagement Producer: Joanne Skapinker
Executive Producer: Daisy Drury
Audio Description: Raquel Meseguer & Laura Dannequin
BSL Interpreter: Clare Edwards
Access Performances:
Performances of A Tale of Two Cities include British Sign Language interpreted performances, Relaxed Environment Performances and Audio-Described performances with a Touch Tour before the performance.
If you have any questions about Access Performances or access needs, please contact Joanne Skapinker: workshops@lostdogdance.co.uk
Audio-Described Performances:
Audio description is a live commentary throughout the performance, relayed by an audio-describer in the theatre via a headset, for blind or visually-impaired audience members. This verbal commentary describes elements of the performance onstage in between the performers’ dialogue, giving a sense of the set, costumes, characters, movement and action.
These performances include a free Touch Tour in advance of the performance. You can feel the set, props and costume and familiarise yourself with the voices of the performers and audio describer.
For more info visit our access page.
A Tale of Two Cities Trailer
A Tale of Two Cities R&D Film
Thanks
With thanks to the Research & Development performers: Anna Finkel, Faye Stoeser, Laura Caldow, Luke Murphy, Phil Hulford and Theo Inart.
With thanks to Hattie Gregory, Karen Petersen and Sarah Weal.
We would like to dedicate this show to Hjorvar Rognvaldsson. Hjorvar worked as the sound designer on this project and he died suddenly and unexpectedly just before our premiere. He was open hearted, kind, somehow immediately familiar in the best way, talented, drily funny but as anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him will testify he does not fit easily into a few words. He was so inspiringly and comfortably his own person and it is impossible to believe we will not have the privilege of sharing his company any more.