Controversial Fringe play heads to Bristol

Tim Crouch’s controversial new play, The Author, comes to Bristol Old Vic this autumn, after opening at the Royal Court and causing controversy and media frenzy at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe festival.

The Author has proved to be one of the most talked about shows to come out of this year’s festival; creating a near riotous atmosphere in the theatre, provoking a strong reaction from audiences and sparking debate across the city. Many considered the play life changing, praising it for its elegance and intimacy.

A story of ‘hope, violence, togetherness and exploitation’ performed within its audience, this highly original piece tells the story of another play – a shocking and abusive play – written by a playwright called Tim Crouch who oversteps the line.

The show is the fourth play Crouch has written for an adult audience, and follows on from; England, An Oak Tree and My Arm, all three have inspired Bristol audiences, havel gone on to win awards, and have featured such notable guest actors as Alanis Morrisette, Frances McDormand, Mike Myers, and Alan Cumming.

Of The Author Crouch says: ‘…the play uses only words to show us things, and sometimes the things those words show us are disturbing. I feel strongly that we have lost a thread of responsibility for what we choose to look at.’

For the Bristol Old Vic, Producer Kate Yedigaroff says: ‘We are very excited to be bringing this extraordinary show to Bristol Old Vic this autumn. It’s a challenging, exhilarating live experience that goes for the jugular. Tim Crouch and the team are exceptional theatre-makers who are taking risks, being brave and being brilliant. It’s not an easy encounter this, but it is unlike anything else and the debates it sparks feel important and alive.’

The show, which won a Total Theatre Award for Innovation for its sell-out run at the Traverse Theatre during the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe, plays at the Bristol Old Vic 28 September to 2 October then tours Newcastle, Coventry, Budapest, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester and Lisbon until the end of November 2010.