Hydrocracker is committed to theatre as an event, wanting more for its audiences than to sit in the dark and watch. The company aims to give its audience a visceral experience of other worlds, of stories that challenge beliefs and set imaginations alight. Ranging from the site specific to the intimate, the company’s work is “an alliance between formal experiment and rich content” (Michael Billington, The Guardian).
‘The
Erpingham Camp’ (1967) by Joe Orton on Brighton Pier
Commissioned
by Brighton Festival 2009
Following the hugely successful ‘The New World Order’ (Harold Pinter) at Brighton Festival 2007, and ‘Shakespeare a la Carte’ at Brighton Festival 2008, site specific theatre company, Hydrocracker, will bring the audience onto Brighton’s iconic Palace Pier to experience the holiday camp of Mr. Erpingham.
Erpingham runs his camp with the fervour of a leader of Empire. When the Entertainments Organiser suddenly dies in suspicious circumstances, Erpingham is forced to give a chance to the ambitious Chief Redcoat Riley to take over the camp entertainments. Riley’s inexperience unleashes Bacchanalian forces among the holidaymakers which prove hard to contain. A battleground ensues between the forces of order and liberation. Erpingham’s ever more desperate attempts to restore his rule end up in his inevitable demise.
The Erpingham Camp will premiere at Brighton Festival in May 2009. Hydrocracker has drawn together an exceptional artistic team, including director Ellie Jones (Artistic Director Southwark Playhouse), designer Ellen Cairns, sound designer Thor McIntyre-Burnie and lighting designer Paule Constable.
This production is subject to funding confirmation. Final dates will be posted early 2009.
Artistic Directors:
Jem Wall and Richard Hahlo
The New World Order - The Guardian 2007 Pick of the Year
Produced and managed by ArtsAgendaContact: emma@artsagenda.co.uk
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