Two Extraordinary One-Man Plays for the Lyric

The Danske Bank Stage will be blessed until 20 April with the unbelievably talented Simon Callow who stars in the world premiere ofxa0The Man Jesusxa0which previews from this weekend. The Royal Shakespeare actor, who became a household name for his role in the hit filmxa0Four Weddings and a Funeral,xa0will perform a staggering 12 different Biblical characters, including Pontius Pilate and Herod to examine who Jesus really was. Simon Callow explained: “It is the Jesus of Christianity filtered through the eyes of many people who encountered him – his mother, his disciples, Herod, Pontius Pilate and so on. Each of them gives their account of the man Jesus, and we try to figure out the extraordinary impact of this man, why was he so radical, so revolutionary and why Jesus has dominated Western society for 2,000 years.” At the end of this much anticipated premiere, the distinguished actor will deliver the annual Lyric Lecture on 21 April to celebrate the theatre’s second birthday. From a deeply moving play about the Messiah to a quirky comedy about the character Malvolio from Shakespeare’sxa0Twelfth Night, the Naughton Studio offers a very different one-man play by the highly-gifted actor and writer, Tim Crouch. One of Britain’s most innovative and respected theatre-makers, Crouch tells a timeless story of bullying, prudery and practical jokes through a re-imagining of Shakespeare’s famous comedy. I, Malvolioxa0is part of a long theatrical tradition that allows minor characters in classic plays to take centre stage and have their say, in this case the pompous but essentially decent Malvolio who is tricked into believing his employer, the noblewoman Olivia, is in love with him. This is a hilarious and at the same time cleverly unsettling rendering ofxa0Twelfth Nightxa0which explores audiences’ values and what they find funny. “My ambition is always to tell the story, but also to fire up the sense of ‘theatre’ in a young audience, the sense of a live act of communication,” said Tim Crouch. “I’m not precious about the language; I steal and raid and mash together. I want a young audience to encounter Elizabethan language as though it was as fresh as new paint. xa0It feels right to let the main roles have a day off and let the little fellas have their say. Looking at the main action through the eyes of a lesser character invigorates our understanding of the whole”. I, Malvolioxa0is directed by Karl James and A Smith andxa0designed by Olivier Award-winningxa0Graeme Gilmour.xa0Fresh from a three-week run in Dublin,xa0I, Malvolioxa0is at the Lyric for four days only. Don’t miss it! I, Malvolioxa0runs in the Naughton Studio from 9 to 12 April at 7pm; matinees Wed to Fri 1.30pm. Tickets £14/ children & schools £8.50. The Man Jesusxa0runs on the Danske Bank Stage from 3 to 20 April (previews 30, 31 March & 2 April for £15). Tickets from £15 – £24.50. To book either show contact the Lyric box office on 028 9038 1081 or online atxa0www.lyrictheatre.co.uk

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The Lyric Theatre’s main auditorium is proudly supported by Danske Bank. Housed in the main auditorium of the new theatre, the Danske Bank Stage is at the heart of this iconic landmark building. There are 389 seats in a single tiered rake, allowing audiences to enjoy the same unique sense of intimacy with the actors on stage that was one of the most successful characteristics of the old theatre. All Danske Bank card holders are entitled to 20% discount off tickets for all shows on the Danske Bank Stage (Tuesdays and Off-Peak matinee performances).]]>