Chalk Circle Theatre Company explores teen anxiety and depression in the digital age in award-winning play

norway.today.

Julie is tired of life and searches on the internet for someone who would like to die with her. August responds and the two of them travel to a snow-covered cliff in Norway to commit suicide together. Igor Bauersima’s dark comedy shows the final hours of the two young people as they prepare to take their lives. 

Julie, played by Norwich’s own Mogali Masuku, fresh from playing Noluthandu in The Archers, is joined by Evan Simmonds, an alumnus of the Rose Bruford Theatre and Performance School, playing August.

Directed by Adina Levay, the founding Artistic Director of Chalk Circle Theatre Company and former Associate Director at some of Hungary’s leading theatres, the play promises to be a compelling and powerful multidisciplinary production exploring the angst of the ‘digital generation.’ 

Kate Cox, who recently graduated from the MA in Theatre Directing at the University of East Anglia is assistant director. She joins acclaimed Hungarian set and costume designer Erika Gadus, Norwich-based photographer, Andi Sapey, and choreographer Laura McGill of Glasshouse Dance. Sound is by high school student, Felix Higham.

Bringing an interactive element to the show, audiences are urged to follow the characters of Julie and August on their Instagram accounts: julie.no.r.way.today and august.no.r.way.today. 

With this production Chalk Circle aims to raise awareness of mental health issues amongst young people, promote wellbeing and challenge the stigma attached to seeking help.

norway.today runs from April 30th-4th May 2018 with a running time of 75 minutes followed by a 15 minute Q&A. 

Matinees are Mon-Tues at 2 pm, evening performances Wed-Fri at 7 pm.

Tickets are on sale from the Theatre Royal box office 01603 598 646

£10 /£5 students & under 25s.

www.facebook.com/chalkcircletheatrecompany

 

NOTES:

Chalk Circle Theatre Company’s vision is to push the boundaries of theatre-making and to explore the edges of human existence. Founded in 2012 the company introduces the work of contemporary European playwrights to British audiences.

Adina Levay started her directing career in Hungary, where she established herself as one of the few women directors creating significant productions that enriched the scene of the contemporary Hungarian theatre. As a theatre director Adina has persistently pushed for theatrical innovation through challenging theatre conventions and exploring new forms of staging and acting, as well as new forms of collaborations with theatre practitioners.

Kate Cox recently graduated from the MA in Theatre Directing at the University off East Anglia, where she directed Summer’s Day by Jon Fosse.

Mogali Masuku graduated from Central School of Speech and Drama in 2017. Other than joining the Archers family to play ‘Nolly’ she has appeared as Lady Macbeth in Iris Theatre’s Covent Garden production and recently toured as Mephistopheles in Dr. Faustus for Tangle Theatre. 

Evan Simmonds has recently graduated from the Rose Bruford Theatre and Performance School. He is campaigning to promote greater access for disabled actors. 

Erika Gadus is an acclaimed Hungarian set and costume designer for a range theatre productions and prize winning Slovakian films.

Andi Sapey is a Norwich-based documentary photographer whose work has been published in The Guardian, The Times, and Mojo Magazine. 

Laura McGill is co-director of Glasshouse Dance. She trained at LABAN and in 2014 was awarded the Norfolk Dance Award. 

Igor Bauersima is an award winning Swiss playwright who took on a leading role in Germany’s new theatre. His work is complex and deals with issues of morality, identity, and our relationship to society.

“Bauersima has caught the feelings of the web generation with precision. Almost like a Beckett for today – artful and complex, simple and humorous.” Svenja Klaucke | Theatre critic | Süddeutsche Zeitung