By Bertolt Brecht
Directed by Morven Gregor
Presented by Birds of Paradise in Association with Paisley Arts Centre
From Wednesday 30th March – Saturday 2nd April 7.45pm at the Tron Theatre
‘Trouble with peace is, it’s got no system to it. No methodology. What’s the point of your arguments if they’re lying
around not doing any good? I’ve been in places they hadn’t had a decent war for seventy years. Seventy years. You’ll never guess.
People didn’t have IDs. They weren’t even on a national filing system!’
Mother Courage is one of the twentieth century’s classic plays. Although it is clearly political, it also reverberates with humour and humanity. The character Mother Courage is one of the great modern female roles, a woman defined by and surviving through constant conflict.
Performed by an inclusive cast, Mother Courage will feature sign language and projected text. Birds of Paradise’s Mother Courage will be a contemporary, visually engaging, humorous and sympathetic production which will leave audiences considering the central character’s every word and deed.
Birds of Paradise have a strong track record of delivering outreach activities alongside their national touring productions. Pupils will enjoy seeing a production, which as well as being a classic, also reflects the world around them today. Workshops will introduce them to some Brechtian techniques and examine the methods for creating performances around topical issues.
This production also provides students with the opportunity to explore a disabled character (Kattrin) in an established text. On one hand the play seems to portray the disabled Kattrin as a victim, helpless without her mother’s protection, but beyond that we see a young woman, marginalised by others, but able to act with volition and determination; the instigator of the final tragic action of the play. Casting a disabled performer in this role will embody these questions, allowing students to find their own answers.
Workshops available for Standard Grade, Higher and Advanced Higher.
All performances are subtitles and audio description support will be provided.
For further information or to book workshops please contact Emma Macleod on 0141 339 1155 or email all@birdsofparadisetheatre.co.uk
Tickets (£7-£15) available from the Tron Box Office on 0141 552 4267
