The prolific Huddersfield theatre company Mikron is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary tour this May with the premiere of Red Sky at Night, Lindsay Rodden’s (Here, Northern Stage and Curious Monkey and The Story Giant, Everyman Theatre Liverpool) new play about the nation’s obsession with the wild and wonderful world of weather.
Directed by Mikron Theatre’s Artistic Director Marianne McNamara, Red Sky At Night will premiere at the Marsden Mechanics Hall on 14 May and then tour by river and on the road till 21 October.
Through the chronicles of history, people have gazed up and marvelled at the mysteries of the weather. Generations have tried to master the elements and understand the magic of the skies.
Hayley’s sunny, beloved dad was the nation’s favourite weatherman. He could make a typhoon sound like a tickle. Hayley is now following in his footsteps, to join the ranks of the forecasting fraternity. Or at least, local shoestring teatime telly.
When the pressure drops and dark clouds gather, Hayley is melting faster than a lonely snowflake. She’s seen the future’s forecast, but will anyone listen?
Playwright Lindsay Rodden said: “Through an incredible half-a-century, whatever the weather, Mikron have travelled the country, chronicling our histories, our struggles, our passions and our lives. I am over the moon to write just one of these stories, and say Happy Birthday Mikron, fighting fit and fifty years young!
The production’s cast will feature Thomas Cotran (Atalanta Forever, Mikron Theatre and Great Expectations, Dundee Rep/Horsecross Arts); Alice McKenna (Beauty and the Beast, Theatr Clwyd) and James McLean (Revolting Women, Mikron Theatre and A Christmas Carol, Derby Theatre) and newcomer Hannah Bainbridge.
Red Sky At Night is designed by Celia Perkins (Raising Agents, Mikron Theatre and Dick Wittington, Oldham Coliseum), with music composed by Sonum Batra (The Railway Children, Hull Truck Theatre) and directed and arranged by Rebekah Hughes (Atalanta Forever, Mikron Theatre and Pride and Prejudice, Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre).
Red Sky at Night will be touring nationally from 14 May till 21 October. It will be performed alongside Raising Agents, Maeve Larkin’s play about the Women’s Institute.
For further information on Red Sky at Night and Raising Agents visit http://mikron.org.uk
