The Creatives
Adapted for the stage by PATRICK BARLOW
Director MARIA AITKEN
Designer PETER McKINTOSH
Lighting Designer IAN SCOTT
Sound Designer MIC POOL
Movement Director TOBY SEDGWICK
Associate Director LUCY SKILBECK
From an original concept by SIMON CORBLE & NOBBY DIMON
Patrick Barlow
Writer
Patrick Barlow is probably most renowned for the National Theatre of Brent, which he created in 1980 and in which he plays Artistic Director and Chief Executive Desmond Olivier Dingle. The company's legendary two-man epics include, for the theatre: THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE, ZULU!, THE BLACK HOLE OF CALCUTTA, WAGNER'S RING CYCLE, THE MESSIAH, THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO SEX, THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD, LOVE UPON THE THRONE – THE CHARLES AND DIANA STORY(nominated for an Olivier Award) and THE WONDER OF SEXat the Royal National Theatre.
Their TV work includes: THE MESSIAH, MIGHTY MOMENTS FROM WORLD HISTORY(C4); FRENCH REVOLUTION!!(BBC 2) (Best Comedy Jerusalem Film Festival) and MASSIVE LANDMARKS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY(C4).
Their radio work (BBC 3 and 4) includes: ALL THE WORLD'S A GLOBE, winning a Sony Gold for Best Adapted Comedy and Premier Ondas for Best European Comedy; THE COMPLETE AND UTTER HISTORY OF THE MONA LISA(Sony Gold and New York Festival Award for Best Comedy); THE MESSIAHand, most recently, their acclaimed arts series THE ARTS AND HOW THEY WAS DONE. Their new occasional series ICONIC ICONSis to be broadcast over the next two years, the first episode of which, THE FASCINATING EARLY LIFE OF BOB DYLAN, was transmitted in July 2009. The second episode TRACEY EMIN AND HER FASCINATING BED will be broadcast Summer 2010. The other half of the National Theatre of Brent is John Ramm who plays the entire acting company, Raymond Box. Please refer to nationaltheatreofbrent.com for full and unexpurgated details of the company's work and history.
Patrick's other film and television writing includes: THE GROWING PAINS OF ADRIAN MOLE, THE GHOST OF FAFFNER HALL, SCARFE ON SEX, THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, THE QUEEN OF THE EASTand THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS(Libretto) for the Covent Garden Venture with music by John Woolrich; REQUIEM FOR A RELATIONSHIP(Libretto) for the Gogmagog Theatre Company with music by Django Bates; VAN GOGH(Prix Futura Berlin Film Festival) and the BAFTA-winning YOUNG VISITORS, adapted from the novel by Daisy Ashford, starring Jim Broadbent. His recent adaptation of Agatha Christie's WHY DIDN'T ASK EVANS? will be transmitted this year as part of the MARPLEseries for Granada.
Other radio writing includes: THE COMPLAET LIFE AND WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEAREand THE PATRICK AND MAUREEN MAYBE MUSIC EXPERIENCEwith Imelda Staunton. His most recent play, JOAN OF ARC AND HOW SHE FINALLY BECAME A SAINT starring Dawn French, was transmitted on Radio 4 earlier this year.
His publications include: ALL THE WORLD'S A GLOBE, SHAKESPEARE: THE TRUTH!, THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, LOVE UPON THE THRONE , THE MESSIAHand THE WONDER OF SEX.
Theatre acting includes: THE KNACK, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, LOOT, THE COMMON PURSUIT, SILLY COWand Toad in Alan Bennett's THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS.
Film acting includes: SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, NOTTING HILL, THE GIRL FROM RIO, BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY, NANNY MCPHEEand Woody Allen's SCOOP.
Television acting includes: TALK TO ME, ALL PASSION SPENT, Eddie Izzard's ARISTOPHANES, COWS, FRENCH AND SAUNDERS, ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS, A BIT OF FRY AND LAURIE, IS IT LEGAL?, GOODBYE MR STEADMAN, HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON, MURDER IN SUBURBIA, SHAKESPEARE'S HAPPY ENDINGS, MARPLE, SENSITIVE SKIN, JAM AND JERUSALEMand, most recently, MIRANDA HART'S SHOW.
Radio acting includes: THE MIDSUMMER MARRIAGE, THE DIARY OF ADAM AND EVE, THE WIZARD OF OZ, CHRISTMAS EVE, RENT, THE FURNITURE PLAY, VOLPONE, JUST PLAIN GARDENINGand Terry Pratchett's SMALL GODS. He is a regular contributor to LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PAST, QUOTE UNQUOTEand BROADCASTING HOUSE.
Patrick won an Olivier Award and Whatsonstage Award for Best New Comedy for his adaptation of THE 39 STEPS. Most recently, his Broadway adaptation of THE 39 STEPSco-won the Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play.
Maria Aitken
Director
As a director, her work includes: THE 39 STEPS (West End, Australia, Broadway, US national tour). In the US the show was nominated for six Tony Awards, including her nomination as Best Director, and in Australia the show won the Helpmann Award for Best Touring Production. Other shows include: AS YOU LIKE IT (Shakespeare Theatre, Washington DC); QUARTERMAINE'S TERMS (Williamstown Festival); JAPES (Bay Street Theatre, USA); MAN AND BOY (tour and Duchess Theatre); EASY VIRTUE (Chichester); VITA AND VIRGINIA (Sphinx Theatre Company); LADY BRACKNELL'S CONFINEMENT (Vineyard Theatre, New York); THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL (Theatr Clwyd); AS YOU LIKE IT (Regent's Park); THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP (Leicester Haymarket and Ambassadors); ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY (Watford Palace); THE RIVALS (Court Theatre, Chicago); AFTER THE BALL WAS OVER (Old Vic); PRIVATE LIVES (Oxford Playhouse) and HAPPY FAMILY (Duke of York's).
Recently, she has directed several plays and classic serials for BBC Radio, including: Nabokov's LAUGHTER IN THE DARK (which won the prestigious Gold Sony Prize); TERRE HAUTE, starring Ian McKellen, and her own adaptation of Ivy Compton-Burnett's novel MOTHER AND SON.
Maria Aitken's work as an actress includes: BLITHE SPIRIT; BEDROOM FARCE and LARIKINLAND at the National Theatre. At the Royal Shakespeare Company she has played in TRAVESTIES; WASTE and THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE.
Among her many leading roles in the West End: HUMBLE BOY, DESIGN FOR LIVING (Gielgud); SYLVIA (Apollo); HAY FEVER (Albery); OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY (Lyric); THE VORTEX (Garrick); THE WOMEN (Old Vic); SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU (Ambassadors); PRIVATE LIVES (Duchess) and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Adelphi).
Maria's many television appearances include: LOVE ON A BRANCH LINE, THE GOOD GUYS, QUIET AS A NUN, POOR LITTLE RICH GIRLS, SHELLEY, RIPPING YARNS, BEDROOM FARCE. She wrote and presented the documentary GREAT RIVER JOURNEYS (AN AMAZON ADVENTURE), and had two series of her own BBC chat show, PRIVATE LIVES. She co-produced and appeared in the BBC series of Masterclasses ACTING.
Films include: ASYLUM, JINNAH, FIERCE CREATURES, THE GROTESQUE, THE FOOL, A FISH CALLED WA NDA, MELBA, and MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS.
She is a visiting teacher at the British American Drama Academy, the National Theatre Studio, the London Actors Centre, the Juilliard School in NY, the Yale School of Drama, the graduate acting programme at the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, the NY Actors Center and the Academy of Classical Acting in Washington DC.
She is the author of two books: A GIRDLE ROUND THE EARTH and STYLE: ACTING IN HIGH SOCIETY.
She lives in New York and London with her husband, the novelist Patrick McGrath. Her son is the actor Jack Davenport.
Peter McKintosh
Designer
For his work on THE 39 STEPS Peter was nominated for two Tony Awards (Best Scenic Design and Best Costume Design) on Broadway, and a Helpmann Award nomination (Best Scenic Design) in Australia.
Theatre: THE 39 STEPS (London, New York, Boston, Israel, Italy, Australia, Korea, UK tour, Moscow, Hong Kong and Japan); the world premiere of KIRIKOU ET KARABA (Paris); PRICK UP YOUR EARS, ENTERTAINING MR SLOANE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, THE DUMB WAITER, SUMMER AND SMOKE, DONKEY'S YEARS, THE HOME PLACE, THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, YING TONG and A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE (West End); KING JOHN, BRAND, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, PERICLES and ALICE I WONDERLAND (RSC); HONK! And WIDOWERS' HOUSES (National Theatre); THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK (UK tour); DONKEY'S YEARS (UK tour); THE CHALK GARDEN, JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN, THE CRYPTOGRAM, BE NEAR ME and SERENADING LOUIE (Donmar); WASTE, CLOUD NINE and ROMANCE (Almeida); THE HOME PLACE (Gate, Dublin); HONK! (UK tour, Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, Singapore); THE SCARLETT LETTER, JUST SO and PAL JOEY (Chichester); THE BLACK DAHLIA (Yale Repertory Company); ROMEO AND JULIET (Washington DC); FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, ASSASSINS and THE ROMANS IN BRITAIN (costumes); AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' and GUYS AND DOLLS (Crucible, Sheffield).
Opera: includes the world premiere of THE HANDMAID'S TALE (Royal Danish Opera, English National Opera, Canadian Opera); the UK premiere of Michael Nyman's LOVE COUNTS and THE SILENT TWINS (Almeida Opera).
Dance: CUT TO THE CHASE (English National Ballet).
Ian Scott
Lighting Designer
Trained at Mountview. Recent theatre includes: BILLY WONDERFUL (Liverpool Everyman); ANIMAL FARM (West Yorkshire Playhouse); HANSEL AND GRETEL (Northern Stage); PROPER CLEVER (Liverpool Playhouse); THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG (Menier Chocolate Factory); IF YOU WERE ME (Library Theatre) and STATIC (Suspect Culture and Graeae).
Other theatre credits include: OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR! (National Theatre); EIGHT MILES HIGH (Royal Court, Liverpool); THE SNOW QUEEN (West Yorkshire Playhouse); OUR FRIENDS IN THE NORTH (Northern Stage); PLAYHOUSE CREATURES (Dundee Rep); LONGITUDE (Greenwich Theatre);BLASTED (Graeae); PEOPLE AT SEA (Salisbury Playhouse); DUCK! (Unicorn Theatre); DANCING AT LUGHNASA (Lyric, Belfast); KNOTS (CoisCeim Dance Theatre); THE MAY QUEEN (Liverpool Everyman); SINNER (Stan Won't Dance); BLOWN (the Drum, Plymouth); OBSERVE THE SONS OF ULSTER MARCHING TOWARDS THE SOMME (Abbey Theatre - Best Lighting Design, Irish Times Theatre Awards); TIMELESS (Suspect Culture); EUROPE (BITE/Dundee Rep); CHILD OF THE DIVIDE (Tamasha); DYSFUNCTION (Soho Theatre); UNHEIMLICH SPINE (David Glass Ensemble); TAYLOR'S DUMMIES (Gecko); FLAT STANLEY (Polka Theatre); FROGS (NT/Nottingham Playhouse); CALEDONIA DREAMING (7:84); SLAMDUNK (Nitro); TWO STEP (Push at Almeida); HENRY IV – PART ONE (the Peacock, Dublin); CRAZY HORSE (Paines Plough and Tara Arts) and STALINLAND (Citizens Theatre).
Other lighting projects include: BLUSH at Madame Tussauds in London and Shanghai; the award-winning UNKNOWN AMAZON exhibition at the British Museum; the ice rink at Somerset House and the media centre at the London Stock Exchange.
Mic Pool
Sound Designer
A Tony Award-winner, Mic has been involved in theatre sound for over 32 years and has worked with numerous companies including: the Royal Court Theatre, Ballet Rambert and the Royal Shakespeare Company. He has designed the sound for over 350 productions including more than 200 for West Yorkshire Playhouse, where he is currently Director of Creative Technology. He received a TMA Award in 1992 for Best Designer (Sound) for LIFE IS A DREAM and was nominated for both the Lucille Lortel and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Sound Design 2001 for the New York production of THE UNEXPECTED MAN. Mic has been nominated for six awards for his work, internationally, on THE 39 STEPS including: the Laurence Olivier,New York Drama Desk and the Australian Helpmann awards, and has won two, including the first Tony ever awarded for Sound Design.
Other London productions include: THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (Duchess Theatre); THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (Playhouse Theatre); YING TONG (New Ambassadors Theatre); THE SOLID GOLD CADILLAC (Garrick Theatre); BRAND (Haymarket Theatre); PRETENDING TO BE ME(Comedy Theatre); ART (West End/Broadway/worldwide); SHOCKHEADED PETER (Cultural Industry world tour/West End) and THE ROUNDHOUSE SEASON OF LATE SHAKESPEARE PLAYS (RSC).
Mic also works as a video designer and has recently completed DER RING DES NIBELUNGEN (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden) and BAD GIRLS THE MUSICAL (Garrick Theatre).
Toby Sedgwick
Movement Director
Toby won the 2008 Laurence Olivier Award (Best Theatre Choreographer) for his work on the horse puppets and movement on WAR HORSE (National Theatre). He trained at the Jacques Lecoq school in Paris, where he founded the Moving Picture Mime Show, which soon established itself as one of the innovators of a new style of physical theatre throughout the world.
Other theatre work includes: THE MAGICAL OLYMPICAL GAMES (National Theatre); WISEGUY SCAPINO (Theatr Clwyd); THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS (West Yorkshire Playhouse); ANIMAL CRACKERS (Royal Exchange and Lyric Theatre,West End); THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (Royal Exchange); THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE (national tour); BEN HUR (BAC); THE NATIVITY (Young Vic); THE MASTER AND MARGARITA and THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR (Chichester Festival Theatre). With Complicite (co-devised and performed in): HELP – I'M ALIVE (Almeida Theatre); OUT OF A HOUSE WALKED A MAN (National Theatre); THE NOISE OF TIME (Lincoln Center, New York and Barbican) and LIGHT (Almeida and tour).
As director, theatre includes: THE THREE MUSKETEERS (Riverside Studios and national tour); MACBETH (co-directed with Ken Campbell, National Theatre and national tour); GEORGE DANDIN (Red Shift); Z-UNLEASHED (BAC) and PLUCK (Edinburgh and tour).
As movement director, theatre includes: BEN HUR (BAC); THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS (Birmingham Rep); THE TMAING OF THE SHREW and THE TEMPEST (Royal Exchange, Manchester); THE NATIVITY (Young Vic); BARTHOLOMEW FAIR and EVERYMAN (RSC); ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD and MARAT/SADE (National Theatre); THE MASTER AND MARGARITA, KING LEAR, THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR and 5/11 (Chichester Festival Theatre); THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (Barbican/Young Vic); THE LOST AND FOUND ORCHESTRA (production with Stomp for Brighton Festival) and WAR HORSE (National Theatre).
He was the Movement Director on the feature film NANNY MCPHEE AND THE BIG BANG (to be released 2010).
Television includes: THE SEVEN SAMURAI, MUSEUM OF MADNESS, CHRISTOPHER COLOMBUS, PIRATES, MONSTER CAFE, HUBBUB and MY FAMILY.
Film includes: 28 DAYS LATER, LAISSER PASSER, VACUUMS and SHROOMS.