Maine Road Press Release (July 09)

Press information…Press information…

Local theatre company keep football close to their hearts

Monkeywood Theatre present

Maine Road

By Sarah McDonald Hughes

Directed by Martin Gibbons

Pure: Funktion, The Printworks Mon 20 – Sat 25 July 2009

As the opening of the sixth annual 24:7 Theatre Festival approaches, South Manchester-based Monkeywood Theatre have it all to play for. Maine Road, written by Sarah McDonald Hughes, is the company’s second outing in the festival and one they hope will strike a chord with football fans as well as theatre-goers.

The script for Maine Road was shortlisted for the Alfred Bradley Bursary Award 2009, the most prestigious radio drama prize in the country. It was highly commended in a shortlist of 9, winning Sarah a year’s mentorship at the BBC. This is Sarah’s second award nomination, following her children’s play, The Tree, which was shortlisted for Theatre Centre’s Adrienne Benham Award in 2008.

Set in 2003, Maine Road happens at the time when Manchester City were playing the last few games at their hallowed stadium, before it was bulldozed. The story follows Leo, a teenager whose world is collapsing just like his beloved ground.

Writer Sarah explains what inspired her, “I’m really interested in the idea that places can have real meaning and impact on people’s lives. I live near what was the Maine Road stadium in Moss Side and it’s amazing how much of a legacy of the ground is still there.”

In addition to Sarah, Monkeywood are Francesca Waite from Didsbury and Martin Gibbons, also from Moss Side. The company have been together since 2003, producing plays in Manchester to great acclaim. Maine Road follows their last production, A Song for the Lovers, which was performed in 2008 at The Lowry in Salford. Marking Sarah’s playwriting debut, it was given 5 stars by whatsonstage, described as “highly charged and engaging…packed with humour and pathos”, making their final list of top productions of 2008.

Maine Road

Pure: Funktion

The Printworks, Manchester, M4 2BS

Mon 20 – Sat 25 July 2009

Tickets £8/£6

Times Mon 20 9pm, Tue 21 12.30pm, Wed 22 7.30pm,

Thu 23 6pm, Sat 25 3.30pm

0870 428 0785 or www.247theatrefestival.co.uk

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For more information please go to oldmonkeywood.holdenandyou.com or email Francesca@monkeywoodtheatre.co.uk