Focus: Citizens' Theatre
| 'The Citizens’ is a real Glasgow institution. It has over its long history maintained a proud tradition of being of the people, for the people. But this has not prevented the Citz from putting on some of the country’s most prestigous - and controversial - dramatic productions over the years. Whether the avant garde or the more restrained traditional theatre, the Citz has won itself an unrivalled reputation of excellence.' (Evening Times) |
| The Citizens' Theatre is a major producing theatre for Glasgow and the West of Scotland. It provides a programme from the world repertoire of classic and contemporary texts. It promotes two seasons of guest companies, hosts the Scottish Youth Theatre Summer Festival and provides a year-round programme of Education and Outreach work. |
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The Citizens' Company was founded in 1943 and named from the manifesto drawn up in 1909 for the Glasgow Repertory Theatre: 'The Repertory Theatre is Glasgow's own theatre. It is a citizens' theatre in the fullest sense of the term. Established to make Glasgow independent from London for its dramatic supplies, it produces plays which the Glasgow playgoers would otherwise not have the opportunity of seeing.'
The early vision for the Citizens' Theatre included the lowering of ticket prices, the provision of free previews of every show and free programmes for every member of the audience: a policy adhered to for over thirty years.
The Company, basing its repertoire on British and foreign classics, has since its formation performed 288 productions, including 24 world premieres, 22 British premieres and 27 Christmas shows. The casting draws on a pool of actors, many of whom have worked with the Company over the last 30 years, all of whom are paid the same.
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The Citizens’ Company has staged productions of works from authors as diverse as Albee and Webster, Orton and Schiller. The Company has performed specially commissioned translations by Robert David MacDonald of numerous works. It has also made guest appearances in theatres around the world.
In June 2005, the Citizens' Theatre Ensembe won a Critics Award for Theatre in Scotland for Best Ensemble. |
Included in the Glasgay! programme are two shows at the Citizens Theatre: The Citizens' Theatre Company's Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? A Chamber Musical, and Tangerine Productions' Kiss of the Spiderwoman.
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Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? tells the chilling story of Jane, a spoilt music hall child star, and Blanche her younger sister who lives in her shadow. The thrilling chamber musical combines the unreal, tinsel world of Hollywood with a story of sibling rivalry, abuse, alcohol, mental problems and glamour. A stunning theatrical treat.
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? runs until 12 November. |
Kiss of the Spiderwoman sees an unlikely pairing in a radical Communist martyr with a secret longing for a ’woman with class’ and a gay film lover.
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Utilising projected video images within the claustrophobic space of the Circle Studio, the play provides a mesmerising exploration of masculinity, loyalty, love and sexuality.
Kiss of the Spiderwoman also runs until 12 November. |
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| For details of the Citizens' full programme, visit the Citizens' Theatre website. | |