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Holes
4th March 2020 - 7th March 2020
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The Children’s Theatre Partnership and Royal & Derngate Northampton present the Nottingham Playhouse production of
HOLES
By Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats can’t catch a break. Born into a family cursed with bad luck, it comes as no surprise when he finds himself accused of a crime he didn’t commit.
Sent to a labour camp as punishment, he is tasked with digging one hole, five foot wide by five foot deep, every day. He’s told it is to build ‘character’. But the tyrannical Warden is definitely hiding something. How will Stanley and his fellow inmates deal with her demands, her two cronies, plus the fearsome rattlesnakes and yellow-spotted lizards? And will Stanley and his new friends unearth what’s really going on?
Holes is the brilliant, inventive and creative new stage show based on the multi-award-winning novel and the Hollywood blockbuster.
This hit production is a thrilling and off-beat comedy adventure and is perfect for adults and children aged 8 and up.
★★★★ “A fast-paced and inventive family show that works on every level” The Stage
★★★★★ “Storytelling at its best. An absolute must see” What’s Good to Do
Suitable for 8+
Running time: approx. 2 hours 15 minutes, including interval.
Contains theatrical smoke, sudden loud noises and strobe lighting.
Production photographs by Manuel Harlan
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Choice Radio Worcester
Initially a book by Louis Sachar, then a film starring Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Patricia Arquette and Shia LaBeouf, "Holes" is now a touring production.
Caught with a pair of expensive sneakers in his hands, Stanley Yelnats (James Backway) takes what appears to be the easier punishment of a spell in a juvenile detention camp, believing it will not be too arduous. However, when treated like Sisyphus and given the repetitive and seemingly pointless digging of a 5 foot wide, 5 foot deep hole every day, Stanley begins to believe that his life really is cursed and has been ever since an ancestor made a fateful mistake many years ago with a gypsy woman and a pig(!), a story which runs in parallel to the one in the present day.
Set in the Texan desert with plenty of scene changes and clever imagery and interpretations of the scenarios (including the holes themselves and the water sequences), there are plenty of dangerous creatures around - rattlesnakes, scorpions and the deadly Yellow Spotted Lizard. And the talented cast slip easily between their different characters.
Thankfully the deadly Yellow Spotted Lizard doesn't actually exist except in this story. So what is the critter which causes the most deaths in the US? Surprisingly that would be one of the most innocuous creatures around - and vital to our existence. It's the honey bee. You learn something new every day!
The show times (morning, afternoon and early evening performances) imply it is a show for the younger generation, but there is plenty there to keep the adults entertained and for teachers, whilst not being particularly moralistic, it is full of themes than can be discussed in more depth back in the classroom.
And it turns out those holes aren't pointless after all...
Our own David Bower chatted to lead actor James Backway who plays Stanley Yelnasts (think about it!) in the play
You can hear the interview here:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!ArTdTr9dtEfTcLk6L42SpN3TGdo?e=6OnUWuAnd there is more about the show here:
www.holesonstage.co.uk
