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Norris’ Adaptation of Tintin Launches 17-week Tour

As previously tipped (See The Goss, 15 May 2007), Rufus Norris’ acclaimed production of Tintin, one of the big hits from the Young Vic’s Walkabout season during the two-year refurbishment of its Southwark base (See News, May 2005), will launch a 17-week UK tour this summer prior to an anticipated Christmas season in the West End. The tour opens on 28 July 2007 at Watford Palace Theatre before continuing, until 24 November 2007, to 14 further venues.

Tintin, the boy reporter, began his first adventure in 1929 in the Belgian comic strip Le Petit Vingtieme. Created by illustrator Georges Remi, aka Hergé, Tintin became an icon with his trademark crested quiff, plus-four trousers and his faithful dog Snowy. Each year more than three million copies of Tintin’s adventures are sold across 50 countries in 40 different languages.

The stage play, adapted by Norris and Scottish playwright David Greig, premiered at the Barbican Theatre in December 2005. It’s based on Tintin in Tibet which Hergé described as “a song dedicated to friendship”. The story follows our Tintin’s quest to save his friend Chang, into the snow fields of the Himalayas where the legendary abominable snowman is rumoured to live. Tintin is joined on his journey by a host of characters including the irascible sea dog Captain Haddock.

Norris’ other recent award-winning credits include Festen and Cabaret. His new stage version of DBC Pierre’s Booker Prize-winning novel Vernon God Little opened earlier this month at the Young Vic, where Norris is an associate director (See Review Round-up, 9 May 2007). Tintin is designed by Ian MacNeil, with lighting by Rick Fisher and sound by Paul Arditti. At the Barbican, the title role was played by Russell Tovey. No casting has been announced for the tour.

Following Watford Palace, which is co-producing with the Young Vic, Tintin continues to Oxford, Salford, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Sunderland, Nottingham, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Brighton, Richmond, Plymouth, Woking, Bradford and Cardiff.

- by Terri Paddock

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