A new adaptation of Günter Grass’ surreal novel, The Tin Drum, is brought to theatrical life in a dazzling, dark and provocative production playing at West Yorkshire Playhouse this October.
On Oskar’s third birthday, he rails against the adult world and decides to remain a child forever. Armed with a heart full of rage, a singing voice that shatters glass and a seemingly indestructible tin drum, Oskar sets about to reveal the world for what it truly is. However, the world has other plans for our hero…
“We’re delighted to welcome Kneehigh back to the Playhouse, and thrilled to be collaborating on this project with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse,” said West Yorkshire Playhouse Artistic Director James Bringing. “Kneehigh’s popularity is certainly well justified, and I can’t wait to share this dazzling new production with the people of Leeds. Combining the Playhouse’s ability to tell truly epic stories with Kneehigh’s enduring inventiveness and imitable style, The Tin Drum will be an extravaganza of psychedelic music and theatre exploring and re-evaluating the conflicts of the 20th century through a contemporary lens.”
Kneehigh’s Artistic Director Mike Shepherd adds: “I am thrilled to have reassembled the creative team behind Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs) for Günter Grass’ extraordinary novel The Tin Drum. Our iconic anti-hero, Oskar, will lead us through a world as delicate as moth’s wings and as incandescent as a blazing saw mill. A grand musical satire, it promises to be furious, funny and fiercely full of hope – a story very much for now.”
Written by Kneehigh regular Carl Grose, with music by award-winning composer and Kneehigh Associate Artist Charles Hazlewood, the ensemble cast include British mime artist Les Bubb, long time Kneehigh collaborator and composer Dom Coyote, Kneehigh Associate Artist, puppeteer and puppet designer Sarah Wright, Nandi Bhebhe, Damon Daunno, Bettrys Jones, and previous Kneehigh collaborators on Dead Dog In A Suitcase (and Other Love Songs) Rina Fatania, Angela Hardie, Patrycja Kujawska, Beverly Rudd. The cast are joined by musicians Ross Hughes, Alex Lupo and Ruth Wall.
The Tin Drum is at West Yorkshire Playhouse from Tuesday 17th – Saturday 28th October at 7:30pm. Book online at wyp.org.uk or call the Box Office on 0113 213 7700.
