The Atkinson is fast becoming known a venue for high class gothic theatre – with past successes with Dracula, Female Gothic and the more recent Warning to the Curious this October.

On Thursday 13 November the theme continues with Charles Dickens’s dark melodrama Sikes & Nancy performed by James Swanton.

“James Swanton is a fearless actor who in Sikes and Nancy pushes the art of physical expression into fantastical areas oftheatre that are far too little explored. He is aremarkable performer and the show is a startling and enthralling
contribution to the art of the theatre.” Simon Callow

Presented by Jimmy Jewell for Ladida Productions in association with The Production Exchange Sikes & Nancy was adapted by Charles Dickens from the grislier material in Oliver Twist. It became the most notorious of his legendary Public Readings; a masterpiece of high Gothic melodrama. Audiences were shocked into silence. Women would scream and faint. ‘I shall tear myself to pieces,’ Dickens vowed before one performance. He surely did – it is now thought that the strain of ‘The Murder’ hastened Dickens’s early death.

“It was one of the most engaging and captivating hours of theatre I have experienced” Varsity Review

Sikes & Nancy takes place on Thursday 13 November at 7.30pm. Tickets are £12 and available online at theatkinson.co.uk or by calling The Atkinson Box Office on 01704 533333. You can also purchase your tickets over the counter during The Atkinson’s opening hours.

-ENDS-______________________________________________________________________

LISTING INFORMATION
Sikes & Nancy
Thursday 13 November
7.30pm
Tickets: £12
Ages 12+

*Please be advised that there is a £2 booking fee for telephone and online sales.

The Atkinson
Lord Street
Southport
Merseyside
PR8 1DB

Posted on 11 November 2014 under General news