Overview

Read our Q&A with Michael Wynne to find out what would happen if he ruled the world...

Listen to the pre-show talk, Under Canvas

Justine and Alan need to get away from it all. And what could be better than being at one with nature, camping, on a farm in the middle of the Welsh countryside? So long as that’s camping with all the luxuries, of course - real beds, wood burning stoves, an espresso machine, even a kitchen sink.

But what do they need to get away from? And how about seasoned campers Bridget and Rory? And upwardly mobile Amanda and Alistair? Why do they also need to get back to basics?

The three couples find themselves in adjacent tents. But when the canvas walls let out all their secrets and when it’s only their children who see eye-to-eye, perhaps the rural idyll isn’t so
perfect after all.

Michael Wynne’s new comedy takes a long, witty look at the dilemmas and struggles of modern life.

Canvas is Michael Wynne’s first play for Chichester. His last play, The Priory at the Royal Court Theatre, won the 2010 Olivier Award for Best Comedy. Other work includes The People are Friendly and The Knocky (Royal Court Theatre), Sell Out and Dirty Wonderland (Frantic Assembly) and the Christmas film Lapland (BBC1) starring Sue Johnston.

The exceptional ensemble cast for Canvas features Sarah Hadland, Miranda's best friend in television's hit comedy series Miranda and a regular in Waterloo Road, as Bridget, and Dean Lennox Kelly, Kev Ball in Shameless and William Shakespeare in Doctor Who, as Alan.  

Hattie Ladbury (Amanda) has just finished The Seven Year Itch for Salisbury Playhouse. Other credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth and Lady Be Good (all for Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park). Elliot Levey, who recently appeared alongside David Tennant and Catherine Tate in Much Ado About Nothing as well as Toby Stephens in Danton’s Death at the National Theatre, plays Rory, and Oliver Milburn, regularly seen on television in series such as Scott & Bailey, Coronation Street and Mistresses, plays Alistair. 

Lucy Montgomery (Justine) is currently recording a pilot for her own sketch show, The Full Montgomery. Her many television appearances include The IT Crowd and The Armstrong and Miller Show and she was in the Royal Court Theatre's hit production of Jerusalem. Lisa Palfrey (Bronwyn) has starred in the Welsh soap Pobol y Cwm and appeared in the film Maybe Baby alongside Hugh Laurie. She was also in The Kitchen Sink at the Bush Theatre and Ingredient X at the Royal Court Theatre.

Associate Director Angus Jackson’s credits for Chichester include The Browning Version, Bingo, Wallenstein, Funny Girl, The Waltz of the Toreadors, The Father and Carousel; he has
also directed Elmina’s Kitchen, Fix Up, Rocket to the Moon and The Power of Yes for the National Theatre.

Supported by the Canvas Commissioning Circle.

Canvas is sponsored by

Festival 2012

Grayingwell Park

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