Struggle for life played out on theatre stage

A real life and death dilemma played out in the Peruvian Andes is coming to a stage near you in March.

Perth Theatre has the honour of hosting one of just a few tour dates for ‘Touching the Void’, a supremely ambitious bit of action theatre based on the mountaineering memoir by Joe Simpson.

The story of Joe’s battle back from the brink of death on the treacherous Siula Grande mountain in Peru has become well known and it has now been adapted by acclaimed playwright David Greig into a gripping drama.

The production coming to Perth has had a run in September at the Bristol Old Vic before a three month break.

Now the company, directed by Tom Morris, head north to reprise the climbing drama once again, playing in Edinburgh, Perth and Inverness.

For those who don’t know it, Touching the Void has four characters and is principally about the battle for survival of Joe Simpson and his climbing partner Simon Yates. Simon, perched on an unstable snowcliff, faces the appalling dilemma of what to do, when Joe gets severely injured and dangles hopelessly in space at the end of a rope in Simon’s hands. Unable to recover Joe from the void, should Simon cut the rope that binds them?

Josh Williams plays climber Joe, starring alongside Edward Hayter who plays Simon.

They are joined by original cast members Fiona Hampton in the role of Sarah and recent LAMDA graduate Patrick McNamee as Richard.

In order to get ready for such a demanding role, actor Josh submerged himself in the story of his character, the ill-fated climber Joe.

“I was so intensely excited about getting this job,” Josh revealed. “I’ve read the book and watched the film several times. As a person, Joe Simpson was absolutely dedicated to climbing, hugely focused and full of drive. I had to get that across to the audience.

“Many years ago I actually went climbing in the Andes, in Ecuador. I remember the environment, it helped me understand how to behave as a climber.”

“Before we opened at the Bristol Old Vic in September, the question on everyone’s lips was how was a drama about mountaineering going to work on a theatre stage. How do you convey the awesome wonder of mountains ridges indoors?”

Rehearsals for the Scottish tour started just over a month ago.

“You never really stop thinking about it, subconsciously you know you are coming back to the role,” said Josh.

Touching the Void plays at Perth Theatre, March 7-10, daily performances at 7.30pm, plus 2pm on March 9 and 3pm on Sunday 10 . Tickets are available at various prices from 01738 621031 or www.horsecross.co.uk