The Knife’s Edge of Revolution

Woman showing discomfort while her face is held by another person
(Image: Seonaid Bennett)

There are two plays on offer to watch as Third-year Theatre BA students bring James Fritz’s Parliament Square and Elinor Cook’s Image of an Unknown Woman to the Scenic Stage Theatre this December!

Tickets are now on sale to the general public for the two productions being performed by the University’s School of Arts and Creative Technologies from the 5th to the 7th of December. As part of the Main Stage Project for Third-year BA Theatre, these two productions are entirely directed, produced, designed, researched, marketed, and performed by students on the course. Both plays are themed around explorations of protest.

Poster showing a woman in a yellow dress in the center of two figures in grey, each holding a yellow balloon
(Image: Image of an Unknown Woman)

The first play to be performed will be Image of an Unknown Woman, by Elinor Cook. Below is an overview of the play as detailed in the official press release: 

“As a shocking video goes viral, a revolution sparks. People are dying, paranoia is growing. Leyla and Ali live in fear as the video they uploaded gains traction, while Yasmin frantically scours the city for her missing mother. Who is the girl in the yellow dress? As tensions rise, who will be the first to fall?

Elinor Cook’s award-winning play explores the complexities of revolution and revolt, and how one small action can change the course of history.”

Performances of Image of an Unknown Woman will take place on 5th and 7th December 2024, at 7:30pm, at the Scenic Stage Theatre, University of York.

Tickets are £8 full price, and £5 for concessions. 

Booking website: https://tftv.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873666296

Box office contact number: +44 (0)1904 325220

Woman holding a lit lighter while looking straight ahead
(Image: Parliament Square)

The second play to be performed will be Parliament Square, written by James Fritz and winner of the Bruntwood Prize. Here is the summary provided by the production’s marketing team.”

“Can the actions of one person ignite change? 

Kat is an ordinary woman with a job, a husband, and a young daughter. She seems focused on keeping her head down and enjoying her ordinary life. One morning, Kat leaves everything behind and travels across the country to Parliament Square, to carry out an extraordinary act of protest. She hopes it will change the lives of everyone who sees it. But will the extremity of her actions make a difference, or will it simply destroy the lives of those around her? 

James Fritz’s brutal yet empathetic play examines the line between a person who is isolated in dangerous obsession, and the necessity of extreme political protest to make an impact on society. Is a sacrifice required to wake people up from their apathy? 

Content guidance: This play contains violent scenes which some audience members may find distressing (including a suicide attempt), depiction of severe injuries and sexual references.”                                                                                           

Parliament Square will be performed in the Scenic Stage Theatre on Friday 6th December at 7.30pm and Saturday 7th December at 2.30pm.

Available to book now!

Tickets cost £8 for adults and £5 for concessions.

Booking website: https://www.york.ac.uk/arts-creative-technologies/about/events/parliamentsquare/

Box office contact number: +44 (0)1904 325220

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