NEWS: The Island @ Various Venues

One of the most famous plays of the 20th Century, The Island has been seen all over the world. Set in South Africa in 1973 at Robben Island, the top security political prison where Nelson Mandela was held, the timeless tale of John and Winston is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago.

This 50^th anniversary production of the play by Athol Fugard, John Kani & Winston Ntshona is brought to the region by Elysium Theatre Company & Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham. With Ewen Cummins and Daniel Poyser as John and Winston, this rich, boisterous, funny, moving piece of theatre is a hymn to the human spirit and a cry for freedom everywhere.

John and Winston are sharing a cell on Robben Island. They survive through a mixture of solidarity, laughter and defiance. It’s the two men’s sense of brotherhood that has kept them going for years.

Then John hears that he’s going to be released… And everything changes.

Bringing this classic to a new generation of theatregoers is the perfect celebration of this 50^th anniversary. Catch it in Hexham, Washington, Durham and other venues across the North for a reminder of how precious freedom is and all that we’re still fighting for 50 years on.

The Island is at Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham on 15th-17th February, Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Yarm on 22nd February, The Witham, Barnard Castle on 1st March, Washington Arts Centre on 2nd March, The Exchange, North Shields on 3rd March, The Hullabaloo, Darlington on 9th March and Luce Theatre, Durham School on 11th-12th March.