Once in a House on Fire by Monkeywood Theatre

Once in a House on Fire, by Sarah McDonald Hughes, is a Manchester play based on the bestselling memoir of the same name by Andrea Ashworth.

Submitted by cescawaite.

Following sell out performances at The Lowry, Salford Quays, with 5 star reviews, we will be performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, at The Zoo Venue’s Monkey House, from Friday 5 - Monday 29 August 2011.

The preliminary research for the script and spring 2011 tour of Once in a House on Fire was developed with support from The Lowry Studio and Arts Council England and funded through grants for the arts.

We have estimated a budget of approximately £20,000 for the month in Edinburgh, which will include festival admission fees; living and travel expenses for 5 actors, a technician and stage manager; and costs of publicity materials.

Having already established a core audience in the north, we are really keen to develop an audience nationally and the Edinburgh Festival will be the first time that our work has been seen outside of the north of England. As a company we aim to engage with a non-traditional theatre-going audience and feel that performing Once in a House on Fire at the Edinburgh Festival will enable this. The true story is universal and compelling, offering an accessible way for non-theatregoers to see inspiring and thought-provoking drama that resonates with them.

During these difficult economic times, arts funding has been severely reduced nationwide so support from corporate sponsors is the only way to make our visit to Edinburgh possible. By 25 June 2011 we aim to raise a total of £20,000.

“I read this book over 5 years ago and it still lingers. If any story should have life beyond the page, this is it. A raw, sometimes bleak but uplifting and inspiring true story….” Maxine Peake (Silk, BBC 1)

“If the theatre company are looking to draw people from a working class background, who wouldn't normally attend such shows, then from my experience yesterday, you are doing a superb job.” Once in a House on Fire audience member

“The eloquence with which Monkeywood have executed this is impressive and beautiful: they have managed to illustrate the tale of a brutal home life while simultaneously portraying the flourishing of a young girl with big dreams.” Once in a House on Fire audience member

Amount Applied For: 3,000

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