& CULTURE Things are really H
ORTHERN Broadsides and York Theatre Royal will once again join forces to stage They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay!, Deborah McAndrew’s new adaptation transposed to Brexit Britain of Dario Fo’s political satire of civil disobedience Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!
Directed by Northern Broadsides’ new artistic director and joint CEO Conrad Nelson, the new adaptation based on Jon Laskin and Michael Aquilante’s translation, will be at Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield (LBT) from November 14-17.
They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay! tells the story of Anthea who gets mixed up in a riot at her local supermarket and seizes the opportunity to stock her empty cupboards and those of her friend. But what will the two friends tell their law-abiding husbands?
Playwright Deborah McAndrew said: “Dario Fo tackled everything through comedy – no matter how unfunny that might appear to be.
“In his Italy of the 1970s there are clear parallels with the kind of food poverty we see in 21st Century Britain – with the growth of food banks and holiday hunger projects and so on.
“It’s interesting to note that Fo reworked this play himself in 2010. He updated the references and changed the title from the original Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay! but it’s pretty much the same play. In fact, the amendments he made to the ending seem to express a feeling of sorrow that in almost 40 years little has changed.
“Like Accidental Death of an Anarchist, which I adapted for Northern Broadsides in 2008, They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay! is a great fit for a company with a bold, narrative style and a direct connection to its audience in performance.
“They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay! is fast and funny, but also sharp and relevant – providing countless opportunities to satirise the state of our own politics and the plight of the poorest people in society at a time of sustained austerity policy, Brexit, and ideological infighting on both sides of the Commons.”
Northern Broadsides and York Theatre Royal previously worked together in York on Blake Morrison’s adaptation of Goldoni’s Italian farce The Man with Two Gaffers in 2006 and in 2016 on a revival of J.B. Priestley’s much-loved classic comedy When We Are Married.
They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay! runs at the LBT from Wednesday, November 14, to Saturday, November 17, 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets are priced at £20-£12 or £8 for under 26s and can be booked via the Box Office on 01484 430528 or online at www.thelbt.org.
There are loads of great events going on in and around Huddersfield for the 2018 celebrations.
Whether you’re after a huge bonfire, a dazzling fireworks display or a family funfair, you won’t have to go too far to find the perfect bonfire night for you, your friends or your family.
For a lot of people. The bonfire night they go to will largely depend on when they have the time.
This year November 5 falls on a Monday, so the Friday, Saturday and Sunday are going to be the nights where most people are likely to burn their Guys.
Here’s a rundown of what’s happening across our area. with the celebration of the suppression of a 17th Century terrorist plot. There will be waltzers, dodgems, a ferris wheel, a climbing wall, as well as games stalls and a fantastic fireworks display. Where: Opposite Sands House, Blackmoorfoot Road, Crosland Hill, HD4 7AE When: From 5.30pm Price: Adults £4. Children £1. Parking £2 A loved fixture of the bonfire night calendar, this event includes a firework display by Pyro2000, a huge bonfire, a funfair, food and stalls. It will raise cash for local charities. When: From 5.30pm Price: Adults £4. Children £1 Mirfield and District Round Table will be hosting this popular annual event at Mirfield Showground. Donations of wood for the bonfire are welcome before noon. Where: Penistone Show Ground, S36 6DW When: 6.30pm to 9pm. Bonfire at 7.15pm and fireworks at 7.30pm Price: Adults £5. Under 16s Free. Discounts online at tickettailor. com/events/penistone-roundtable/197258 As well as a bonfire and a professional firework display there will be a ‘Build a Guy’ competition for local schools and good causes with cash prizes.