CURTAIN SET TO RISE ON BRAND NEW PLAY FROM CHESTER THEATRE COMPANY

A Chester-based theatre company which was founded just 5 years ago is set to stage its 10th production, a brand-new original play which puts the off-stage drama surrounding a troupe of actors firmly in the spotlight.

Following on from the success of recent productions 'Agnes of God' and 'Roleplay' at Chester Little Theatre, theatre company Against The Grain is set to take to the stage at St Mary's Creative Space in Chester with 'Curtains', a brand-new play from the pen of two of the company's co-founders, Stuart Evans and Mark Newman. The play which will be directed for Against The Grain by Marian Newman runs at the City centre venue from Monday 1^st - Wednesday 3^rd and Friday 5^th July at 7.30pm. 

The company made it's debut at Storyhouse in 2019 with 'Worldly Women' by local writer Jan Bengree as part of "Storyhouse Women" and has since gone on to stage productions at venues including Chester Little Theatre and The Live Rooms. 

'Curtains' marks the first script writing collaboration between Stuart Evans and Mark Newman who having worked in professional and amateur theatre for over 50 years between them as actors, directors and writers, have drawn on their experience and those of others to write the play which tells the story of actors Dominic and Percival who meet an audition. 20 years later, having become close friends, they share a dressing room when appearing in an 'innovative' production of 'Hamlet', swapping anecdotes with older colleagues and complaining about younger ones, but still waiting for their big break. ‘Curtains’ is by turns hilarious and poignant, with characters who are immediate, relatable, funny and genuine.  Due to casting issues, Stuart and Mark reluctantly stepped in to play the roles of Dominic and Percival themselves, completing the 8-strong cast.

Speaking about the play, Director Marian Newman said:

"Drawing on their 21+ years of experience working together in local theatre, Stuart and Mark have created a touching and funny play which reveals a great deal about the intrigue that goes on backstage, which is often a mystery to many audiences. The play explores all sorts of relationships, great friendships amongst actors and others not so amicable, and shows us hilarious 'faux pas' which are often all part of putting on a play. If you thought it was all glamour, think again, the play shows many of the hopes, dreams, aspirations and disappointments which are all part of an actor's life. It's proving to be an interesting experience directing a play which draws on the fascinating world of theatre and working with actors who will be familiar faces to Against The Grain's audiences as well as some newcomers to the company who bring their own experiences to their characters in the play."

Full details of 'Curtains' can be found at: 

www.ticketsource.co.uk/against-the-grain 

...where tickets can be booked online.