1. art and entertainment
2. theatre

17th – 20th July 2008
Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk
THEATRE ARENA
*NATIONAL THEATRE NEW CONNECTIONS*
Present Abi Morgan’s Fugee
*ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY*
Present work by Anthony Neilson and Adriano Shaplin
*THE LYRIC HAMMERSMITH*
Present Cartoon de Salvo
and work from writers Lisa Asagi, Stacy Makishi and Jack Russell
*DURANG DURANG*
ON THE LAKE
*SADLER’S WELLS*
Featuring Wayne McGregor/Random Dance, Gaure Sharma Tripathi and Blue Boy
*THE BLANK ALBUM*
COMEDY ARENA
*SIMON DAY*
*SCOTT CAPURRO*
*HANS TEEUWEN**MILTON JONES*
LITERARY ARENA
*MARK STEEL*
CABARET ARENA
*HOW TO PLAY THE UKULELE IN UNDER AN HOUR*
By Sam Brown, Donal Coonan and Sally Phillips
*TRIPPPLICATE*
Theatre Arena
Latitude brings the most highly regarded theatre companies and the very best contemporary
playwrights to the same place for one weekend. Some of it hard hitting, sometimes controversial
and always thought provoking, the Theatre Arena will stimulate and challenge.
The stage itself will be the greenest around as the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered
festival stage in association with the Arcola Theatre. The Theatre Arena brings some of the
biggest names in contemporary, physical, classical, performance and local theatre to the Suffolk
coast packed full of passion, emotion, laughter and entertainment. Featuring some performances
and productions exclusive to the festival the Theatre Arena boasts a wealth of creative talents
and inspirational performances that you won’t find anywhere else.
The National Theatre bring to the Theatre Arena, ‘Fugee’ by the multi award winning
playwright, Abi Morgan, who has an astounding eight BAFTAs to her name. The play will be
performed by the young and talented performers at the Brewery Youth Theatre who have been
invited to perform by National Theatre New Connections. ‘Fugee’ tells the story of a group of
young refugees struggling to adjust to life in the UK, attempting to reconcile their pasts and find
pleasure in the present. ‘Fugee’ expresses the reality of slipping through the net in a style which
is sound and image driven. Latitude is thrilled to have this touching play performed at this year’s
festival.
Established 15 years ago in response to a widespread demand for challenging new plays for
young people to perform, the National Theatre New Connections commissions 10 new plays
every year, penned by some of the hottest talent in world theatre.
Probably the most famous classical theatre company in the world, the Royal Shakespeare
Company, brings to Latitude a selection of specially commissioned mini epic plays. These new
works take the form of a series of 5 minute works of concentrated energy, passion and vibrancy.
They will be performed in the dead of night on the Saturday and in the middle of a lazy Sunday
afternoon with the help of two writers, a composer and a band of actors who know a thing or
two about addressing an audience!
One of the writers will be the critically acclaimed Anthony Nielson whose dark and distinctive
writing style has pumped new life into the playwriting scene and opened the minds of critics and
theatre managers alike. Nielson, currently the Literary Associate at the RSC, has prised open the
imaginations of critics and theatre managers alike with such plays as ‘The Wonderful World of
Dissocia. His powerful writing style is simply unforgettable and utterly distinctive. He will be
joined by Adriano Shaplin, the international writer in Residence at the RSC. Shaplin is a big hit
with critics and fellow writers alike, becoming one of the most important writers of his
generation. Nominated for a clutch of awards and described as “a playwright set to join Arthur
Miller and David Mamet in the pantheon of great modern American dramatists”, this will be a rare
opportunity to see the work of one of the greats in such an intimate setting.
This new commission is an enlightening introduction to anyone who thought the RSC was only
about preserving Shakespeare. Be prepared to be very surprised!
Latitude is very excited to welcome The Lyric Hammersmith to the Theatre Arena.
They bring with them the dazzling Cartoon de Salvo who create a new improvised adventure at
every show! They will be performing ‘Hard Hearted Hannah’ and other stories which
incorporate an improvisational style rarely seen on these shores. The audience are asked to come
up with a title and the Salvo do the rest with live music, script defying improv and spontaneous
storytelling of the highest order. With previous efforts including ‘The Ghost in the Tower’ and
‘Alien Robots Take Over the World’, the audience are in for a rollercoaster ride of quite brilliant
theatre that had The Observer saying “you would be hard pushed to find more charm or
expressive versatility anywhere”.
The Lyric Hammersmith also bring to Latitude Lyric Firsts – showcasing new writers and artists
currently working in Theatre. Writers Lisa Asagi whose writing explores the spaces between
poetry, film, fiction and documentary, the comic and uncanny Stacy Makishi and Jack Russell
have created ‘Lifted’ – an experimental work in progress focusing on the relationships in ‘Who’s
Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ and ‘Lassie Come Home’ which hopes to reveal the bewitching
brutalities that lie beneath the petticoats of convention.
Durang Durang is 7 short plays by the famed American playwright Christopher Durang,
all of which have met huge critical acclaim proving to be a sell out run of shows at Edinburgh
Festival in 2004. Durang brings to Latitude his collection of hysterically dark tongue-in-cheek
plays including the hilarious ‘1-900-Desperate’, ‘Canker Sores and Other Distractions’ and ‘Naomi
in the Living Room’, all of which have rarely been performed outside of the USA. Durang’s
previous work includes the Tony Award nominated ‘A History of the American Film’ and the Obie
Award winning ‘Explains It All For You’. With a fantastically talented cast and critics calling
Durang “one of the funniest playwrights alive” (The New Yorker), this is a production you simply
must see.
They join a quite phenomenal list of writers including Mark Ravenhill and theatre companies
including the Royal Court Theatre, Nabokov, Paines Plough, The Bush, Pick Of Pleasance,
and Operating Theatre Company who will be at the Theatre Arena this year.
On The Lake
Latitude’s stunning floating stage on the site’s beautiful winding lake will be the home to some of
the country’s most exciting and thrilling dances and performances. Featuring everything from
flamenco dancing to a 12-strong orchestra, On The Lake is an exciting new addition to Latitude’s
already wide spectrum of art.
Latitude is delighted to announce the wonderfully varied and ground breaking performances
Sadler’s Wells will be bringing to this year’s festival. For the first time Sadler’s Wells will be
presenting three acts on a specially designed stage at sunset On The Lake at Latitude. In
keeping with the range of work currently flowing through the theatre’s programme, the mixed
line up includes European hip hop, classical Indian Kathak, and UK contemporary dance in a rare
slice of modern choreographic life.
Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, will perform ‘Entitiy’.
The multi award-winning Wayne McGregor who is notorious for his ground-breaking
collaborations and breathtaking choreography, provides a rare must see treat with ‘Entity’, his
first production in two years. After the success of Olivier Award winning show ‘Chroma’ that was
created for the Royal Ballet in 2006, McGregor returns with a diptych of two contrasting works
performed by ten dancers. ‘Entity’ is sure to be a dazzling spectacle with the performance
accompanied by live music in the shape of the impossibly talented and contrasting composers
Nico Muhly and Jon Hopkins, performed against a multi-screen set.
Boy Blue is reaching an ever expanding audience fascinated with hip hop culture and dance in
general. Established in 2001 by dancer/choreographer Kenrick “H2O” Sandy and music producer
Michael Asante, Boy Blue has gone from strength to strength, performing at every Breakin’
Convention since it was launched by Jonzi D in 2003, and recently being awarded an Olivier
Award for their production of ‘Pied Piper’. They are creating a piece especially for Latitude,
featuring their trade-mark ensemble energy and dynamism, overlaid with a deceptively easy and
fluid technique.
‘Waqt – Time’, a dance production choreographed and directed by Gauri Sharma
Tripathi is partly inspired by Javed Akhtar's poem of the same name, which explores the rich
resonance of the classical Indian style Kathak in its most raw forms. The performance features
not only the mesmerising Gauri Sharma Tripathi herself, but two formidable fellow performers
Seema Patel and Payal Patel with a musical score by Niraj Chag. Tripathi’s choreographic style is
distinguished by its complexity and grace, steeped in the rich traditions of the Indian musical
language and it’s relationship to dance. Other recent works include choreographing the acclaimed
solo-piece for Akram Kahan in Sacred Monsters in 2006 and Sadler’s Well’s Mahabarata written
by Olivier Award winning Stephen Clark and composed by Nitin Sawhney.
Speaking about Sadler’s Wells presentation of dance On The Lake at Latitude, Alistair Spalding,
Artistic Director and Chief Executive says: “I am really delighted for Sadler’s Wells to be able to
take a leap out of the theatre and into the wild outdoors at Latitude. It’s absolutely the right time
for these dynamic dance artists to be part of such a rich festival, especially in such a setting. All
the dancers will have swimming proficiency badges….’
An incredible fusion of contemporary dance, comedy and rock / pop music is what The Blank
Album is all about. With energy levels at an all time high these performers burst onto the stage
not only playing their instruments but dancing with them too. The show features live guitars,
fiddle, cello, percussion, voice and a cast of talented dance musicians all brought together with
the experience of music director Quee MacArthur and choreographer Natasha Gilmore.
Combining the imagery of elaborate air guitar with a fast paced comedy dance theatre piece has
created a distinctive and utterly unique experience and when placed on Latitude’s stage On The
Lake this July it promises to be quite the spectacle.
Also On The Lake will be, the hot sultry flamenco of Rafael Amargo, strong lines of
contemporary dance drawn by Riccardo Meneghini, the theatrical and moving Helix Dance and
the orchestral brilliance of The Irrepressibles.
Comedy Arena
Now with a larger tent and screens outside to accommodate its heaving audience, the ever
popular Comedy Arena returns with another staggering line up that reads like a who’s who of
the current touring comedy circuit. A programme of the biggest names in comedy and the
newest rising talent will ensure continuous laughter throughout the weekend.
Simon Day rose to fame as a stand up comedian winning the Time Out new act of the year
award in 1991 for his character Tommy Cockles. The character later appeared on cult British
sketch show ‘The Fast Show’ for which Day is best known for playing characters such as
Competitive Dad and Dave Angel: Eco warrior. Largely considered as one of the UK’s most
talented character comedians and comedy actors, Day has developed a legion of devoted fans
through solo shows and as part of ‘The Fast Show Live’. Day has also had roles in films including
‘Shakespeare In Love’ and ‘Run Fat Boy Run’. A true British talent well worth your time.
The camp and outrageous Scott Capurro often operates on the boundaries of good taste
with material discussing sexuality, politics, racism and popular culture. Awarded the Perrier
Award for best newcomer in 1994, Capurro wrote ‘Fowl Play’, a book about a comedians
declining career, onset of depression and drug and alcohol abuse. He also provided one of the
voices for the character Fode and Beed in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace as well as
appearing in ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ as Harvey Fierstein's character's life partner. Capurro is one of the
most popular faces on the UK comedy circuit with ‘The Guardian’ labelling him “deliciously catty!”
Shooting to fame in 1991 after picking up an award at the Cameretten cabaret festival, Dutch
comedy legend Hans Teeuwen is to the people of Holland what Eddie Izzard is to the people
of Great Britain. He has been a household name across the Netherlands for a number of years
but due to him performing in his native language not many people outside Holland knew of him.
In 2007 he decided to switch to performing comedy in English and has since become notorious
across Europe for his patented absurdist/confrontational style of humour. Certainly one for those
who can laugh at life from a very different perspective, be sure not to miss him.
Setting the Comedy Arena alight with his unmistakable entourage of puns and one-liners is
Surrey’s finest comedian, Milton Jones. Having had various shows on BBC Radio 4 over the
last ten years and picking up the prestigious Perrier newcomer award in 1996, Jones’ humour is a
style that many have tried to replicate. Be fooled not by the masses who follow in his footsteps
for we have the genuine article right here at Latitude.
They will be joining a wealth of incredible comedic talent available at this year’s festival including
the comic genius of Ross Noble, Rich Hall, Frankie Boyle, Russell Howard plus Phill Jupitus and
friends.
Literary Arena
Take a moment in the shade and bask in the delights of the Literary Arena tucked away in the
corner of Henham Park, a hub of compelling stories, inspirational discussions and raucous
laughter.
Since 1982 Mark Steel has been a figurehead of left wing journalism and comedy. Originally
starting out as a stand-up, Mark first found radio fame in 1992 with his BBC Radio 5 show ‘The
Mark Steel Solution’. A strong believer in Socialism and the liberal society, Mark has never
forgotten his roots as a political protestor and punk poet. Mark has produced a number of
lectures for radio and also BBC 4, including a collection of absorbing profiles of characters who
inspired a generation, featuring Lord Byron, Aristotle, Billy Holiday and Karl Marx. Steel will
administer the audience with a well measured dose of anarchy wrapped in a easily swallowable
lozenge of humour at his lecture in the Literary Arena, which is certain to educate and
entertain.
He will be joined by top authors including Simon Armitage, Hanif Kureishi, Irvine Welsh,
A.L.Kennedy and Iain Banks as well as Latitude favourites; Vox ‘N’ Roll, Word Theatre and The
Early Edition with Marcus Brigstocke
Cabaret Arena
The jewel in the centre of the aptly titled Pandora’s Playground, the Cabaret Arena will entice the
audience in with feathers, dance and frivolity and then trap them with sharp wit, truly spectacular
stage shows and the kind of beautiful and bizarre happenings that are difficult to pull yourself
away from.
Latitude is full of life-affirming experiences and here is another one in the Cabaret Arena. Learn
to play the Ukulele in an hour, or rather watch the brilliantly funny Sam Brown, Donal Coonan
and Sally Phillips, attempt to in the little Cabaret House during their wonderfully witty daytime
sketch show ‘Learn To Play The Ukulele In Under An Hour (How George Formby Saved My Life)’
– join them in a four-stringed, one hour pluckfest as they teach you the Ukulele basics. Brown
and Coonan met at University where they acted and produced several short films. Brown has
gone on to teach Latin and find the time to direct ‘Magpie Park’ at West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Coonan is best known as a presenter, writer and actor who has worked on radio as well as
having his own Channel 4 show ‘This is a Knife’. Sally Phillips is a very successful comedy writer
and performer with credits including ‘Green Wing’, ‘I’m Alan Partridge’ and ‘Smack The Pony’.
Join the gang and you will learn to sing-a-long with a patented Formby uke-karaoke machine and
be able to impress your friends and relatives with your musical abilities. The Ukuleles will be
provided!
After performing live shows for 5 years and picking up a nomination in 2006 for the Writers Guild
Award, female comedy duo Trippplicate have gone from local heroes to national favourites. The
Trippplicate family consists of performers Katie Lloyd, who originally found fame as ‘Naughty
Rachel’ in Channel 4’s ‘Green Wing,’ and comedienne Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, the performing duo
are joined by director and co-writer Verity Woolnough. Their various live stage shows including
‘Timetrippers’ and ‘The Receptionists’ have received rapturous reviews and Latitude is proud to
be presenting the latest instalment of their repertoire at the Cabaret Arena.
Elsewhere Latitude can boast the exclusive involvement of BAFTA in the Film and Music
Arena; plus stellar poets Adrian Mitchell, John Hegley and Carol Ann Duffy are all confirmed for
the Poetry Arena hosted by Luke Wright.
In the Music Arenas, Scottish art-rock heroes Franz Ferdinand play their only festival show in
England; the majestic and soaring Icelandic post-rock outfit Sigur Rós head up Saturday’s line-up
and powerful and atmospheric New York titans Interpol close the arena on the Sunday. Also
confirmed are: Grinderman, The Mars Volta, Amadou and Mariam, Death Cab for Cutie, Elbow,
The Breeders, Tindersticks, M.I.A., The GO! Team and Seasick Steve.
TICKET INFORMATION
Weekend tickets £130 plus booking fees. Day tickets Fri, Sat, Sun £55 plus booking fee. Weekend
tickets prices include car parking and camping. Days include car parking only.
C/Card line 0871 231 0821
Or online at www.festivalrepublic.com, www.seetickets.com, www.latitudefestival.co.uk
For a full list of National and Regional outlets please visit www.latitudefestival.co.uk
For further Press info contact: 020-7792-9400
Charlie Caplowe charlie@presscounsel.com
Dani Rutherford dani@presscounsel.com
Anthea Thomas anthea@presscounsel.com
Dan Griffiths griff@presscounsel.com
Tom Pennington tom@presscounsel.com