In the midst of snow and ice we at The Theatre are being kept warm by the thought of the imminent arrival of our co-production Huck.  So to help you banish the cold weather and get into the Misssissippi mood here's an extract from their tour blog (more can be found on http://www.hucktour.com/)... 

"The sail’s have filled, the ropes loosened and finally, we’re away. After three years in the preparation, two years in the writing, 5 weeks in the rehearsing, Huck is now up and running. Production week was a particular challenge, with effectively almost fifty separate scenes to light and choreograph, not least because for the play to work, these scenes must drift effortlessly into one another.

The actors and stage management team all worked spectacularly hard – at one point we reached the end of our technical rehearsal on the exact minute – but by the end of the week, tiredness and a loss of orientation was beginning to show. For the technical team, the challenge is keeping track of the vast numbers of props that the show uses, and preparing for a demanding tour that will take us all the way through until May. For the actors, the challenge is to be clear at all times in their minds – to know the time, place, temperature, immediate circumstances – every detail of the scene that they are about to play, whether it is five minutes long or 30 seconds.

The play demands truth alongside demanding energy and silliness. The best performances over the first few days have been the ones where, for whatever reason, the cast have been feeling playful and enjoying themselves. In a show like Huck, this energy translates directly to the audience.

And a Saturday matinee at the New Wolsey in Ipswich, brought a sellout house of the perfect audience – a total mix from families to pensioners, from groups of unaccompanied teenagers to adult couples. It seemed appropriate and accessible for everyone – a huge relief for a show that is pitching to such a broad audience. "

To book your tickets call the box office on 01608 642350 or book online