The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart heads to The New Vic Theatre*

The New Vic Theatre will stage the regional theatre premiere of David Greig’s acclaimed tale of surreal self-discovery The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart this June.   Set in midwinter in the snowy Scottish borders, The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart ventures into a magical world where anything is possible but nothing is as it seems. Cautious academic Prudencia Hart sets off to attend a conference in Kelso, Scotland, but finds herself trapped inside her own personal hell – at a pub lock-in, where the drink is flowing freely, revellers are revelling and all around her people are singing their own Border ballads.  Escaping the lock-in, the snow is falling thickly as she encounters a friendly stranger who offers to help. It looks like she’ll find her way back to the warm but what she’s not expecting is to find herself at the edge of reality…

Written as a long poem, dark yet playful The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart weaves a romp of rhyming couplets, folk  storytelling and wild music inspired by Border ballads performed live on-stage.  Directed by the talented Anna Marsland, the play is lead by a talented cast of five who will bring Greig’s characters to life.  Suni La plays serious and straight-laced PHD student Prudencia Hart; Matthew McVarish, plays the football loving Colin and Ensemble roles; David Fairs plays the devilishly mysterious Nick and Ensemble roles; Alice Blundell plays the ethereal and mystical Estate Woman and Ensemble roles; and Eleanor House plays Professor MacIntosh.  First staged at the National Theatre of Scotland in 2011, David Greig’s play won a Herald Angel award at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a Critics’ Award for Theatre in Scotland 2010-2011 and a 2017 Drama Desk award.

CAST
Suni La – Prudencia Hart
Matthew McVarish – Colin/Ensemble
David Fairs – Nick/Ensemble
Alice Blundell – Estate Woman/Ensemble
Eleanor House – Professor MacIntosh

CREATIVES
Anna Marsland – Director
E M Parry – Designer
Simon Slater – Musical Director
Daniella Beattie – Lighting Designer
James Earls-Davis – Sound Designer
Alex Day Associate – Sound Designer
Jennifer Jackson – Movement Director
Steve Hall Company – Stage Manager
Kate Wilcock Deputy – Stage Manager
Kayleigh Cooper – Assistant Stage Manager

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets are priced from £15 to £24.50 (concessions available)

How do I book tickets to watch The Strange Undoings of Prudencia Hart?

Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 01782 717962. or visit the New Vic Theatre’s website here.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The show will be opening on Friday, 28 June to Saturday, 13 July 2019. Evening shows are at 7.30pm while matinee shows will be at 2.15pm.  Please check the New Vic Theatre’s website for full details on timings.

Where is The New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme?

New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG

About The New Vic Theatre

Founded in 1962, the New Vic is the producing theatre for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. With around eight major productions a year, its varied programme includes contemporary drama, new commissions, adaptations and classics. Recent productions have toured nationally and internationally, and have transferred to London and Manchester. The New Vic has developed extensive and award-winning community involvement. It works regionally, nationally and internationally through its education department and New Vic Borderlines, which aims to change the lives of the most disadvantaged members of the community. The New Vic is funded by Arts Council England, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

About Arts Council England

Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2015 and 2018, we plan to invest £1.1 billion of public money from government and an estimated £700 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible.

Things to note: 

The New Vic welcomes all customers and is committed to providing access to the arts for all, which includes:

• Free parking close to the theatre entrance for Blue Badge holders (reserve a space with the box office)
• Automatic doors and level access into the foyer, ramped access to the auditorium on the ground floor and lift access to the first floor
• Wheelchair spaces on both the ground and first floor
• Disabled toilets on both levels
• An induction loop system (not available for amplified performances and an infrared-assisted hearing system)
• Baby-changing facilities
• Assistance dogs are welcome and water will be provided (if you wish to take your dog into the auditorium, let the box office know when booking)
• Sign language-interpreted, audio-described, captioned, relaxed and schools’ performances are available for The Wind in the Willows

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