An exciting, new adaptation of Sebastian Faulks’ acclaimed novel Birdsong comes to Northampton’s Royal & Derngate, from Monday as part an nation-wide tour. A dynamic cast of 12 shape Faulks’ much loved wartime epic into an intimate story of love and sacrifice, set against the backdrop of the Western Front.
In pre-war France, young Englishman Stephen Wraysford embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with his host’s wife, Isabelle Azaire. As civil unrest mounts and war breaks in on the idyll of his former life, Stephen finds he must now lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground.
Faced with unprecedented horror, the war-hardened Stephen clings to the shrinking memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around him.Birdsong was ranked 13th in the 2003 BBC survey The Big Read, finding the nation’s favourite book.
The novel was adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff and opened at the Comedy Theatre, London in 2010, and more recently was adapted for TV by Abi Morgan for a BBC 1 series starring the very lovely (though largely incomprehensible Eddie Redmayne).
This vivid and ambitious new production follows the launch of Sebastian Faulks’ latest novel A Possible Life.
Directed by Alistair Whatley, this mesmerising story is brought to the stage by Original Theatre Company and Birdsong Productions, with a cast including award-winning actress Sarah Jayne Dunn, well-known from Drop Dead Gorgeous and Hollyoaks, as Isabelle Azaire and Jonathan Smith as Stephen Wraysford.
Birdsong takes to the Royal stage from Monday to Saturday, May 18.
For tickets call the box office 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk.
*The production comes to Milton Keynes Theatre on July 22-27. For tickets call 0844 8717652 or go online www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes