Complicite Sheds New Light at the Almeida

The internationally acclaimed Theatre de Complicite returns to London next month with the premiere production of its latest show. Light, directed by Simon McBurney, will have a limited run at the Almeida Theatre in Islington from 31 October to 18 November 2000 (previews from 27 October).

Light is based on the book of the same name by Torgny Lindgren, one of Sweden's leading novelists. In it, a man embarks on a journey in search of love and returns to his village carrying death in the form of a plague-ridden rabbit. The village is ravaged by sickness, and once all the dead are buried, only six people and a few animals remain. But none of the survivors know how things are supposed to be, what is right and what is wrong. Morality and civilisation hangs in the balance.

The cast for Light are Mick Barnfather, Lilo Baur, Maria Eggers, Bronagh Gallagher, Dermot Kerrigan, Roger Lloyd Pack, Tim McMullan, Tobias Menzies and Toby Sedgwick.

Theatre de Complicite was founded in 1983 and has created more than 28 shows, touring to over 180 cities in 41 countries and five continents. Along the way, it's won over 26 major international awards. Its most recent production, Mnemonic, enjoyed a sell-out run at the Riverside Studios in London in 1999 and was awarded the Critics Circle Award for Best New Play. It will be revived in early 2001 for performances in London, Barcelona, Paris and New York.

Light continues McBurney's aim of introducing acclaimed foreign writers, such as Torgny Lindgren, to British audiences. Light is adapted for the stage by McBurney and Matthew Broughton and devised by the company. The production is designed by Dick Bird with lighting by Paul Anderson and sound by Paul Arditti.

Light's London dates at the Almeida follow a short UK regional tour as well as a run this month at the Dublin Theatre Festival.

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