The Hope Theatre, Islington - 17 November to 5 December 2015
Claustrophobia
by Jason Hewitt
based on an original idea by Sharon Burrell
To The Moon and Theatre Bench are proud to present the world premiere of Claustrophobia, a brand new play by Desmond Elliott Prize longlisted author, Jason Hewitt. Associate Producer Epsilon Productions.
'A woman. A man. Trapped.
Isolated from the outside world, games and fantasies blur into memories neither wishes to confront. Claustrophobia puts relationships under the microscope and asks – “what does it mean to be in control?”
Punctuated with moments of humour and tenderness, this haunting psychological thriller opens at the Hope Theatre after a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2014.
“nail-biting … compelling … sharply-observed and engrossing.” The Scotsman
“instantly the play is ominous, foreboding” 4**** A Younger Theatre
“enjoyable, well directed play with strong performances and a great script.” 4 out of 5, Three Weeks magazine
Written by Jason Hewitt (novelist – The Dynamite Room, Devastation Road). Directed by Sharon Burrell with Movement Direction by Shelby Williams. Designed by Tom Burgess.
A To The Moon production in association with Theatre Bench (Carthage, Therese Raquin, These Trees Are Made of Blood).
Media Enquiries
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Tel: 07967 583603 Email: [email protected]
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Click here to see audience reactions to the rehearsed reading.
Click here to see how cast members Natasha Pring and Michael Cusick were feeling during Week 1 of rehearsals.
First performed at COGArts and the St James Theatre in London before Edinburgh Fringe Festival, August 2014.
Jason Hewitt - Playwright
Jason was born in Oxford and lives in London. He completed his MA in Creative Writing in 2005.
Jason is a successful and critically acclaimed novelist. His debut novel, The Dynamite Room, was published in 2014, and has since been long-listed for the Desmond Elliott Prize for New Fiction and the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award, as well as publishing in the US and Canada, and with a French translation out in September. His second novel, Devastation Road, was published by Scribner/Simon & Schuster in July 2015.
For theatre, he co-wrote a short play called One Last Thing, and wrote the text for the immersive theatre experience, Episodic (A Little Bird Whispered productions), performed at The Courtyard Theatre, London. After a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014, his first full-length play, Claustrophobia, transfers to The Hope Theatre in London in November.
Jason was born in Oxford and lives in London. He completed his MA in Creative Writing in 2005.
Jason is a successful and critically acclaimed novelist. His debut novel, The Dynamite Room, was published in 2014, and has since been long-listed for the Desmond Elliott Prize for New Fiction and the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award, as well as publishing in the US and Canada, and with a French translation out in September. His second novel, Devastation Road, was published by Scribner/Simon & Schuster in July 2015.
For theatre, he co-wrote a short play called One Last Thing, and wrote the text for the immersive theatre experience, Episodic (A Little Bird Whispered productions), performed at The Courtyard Theatre, London. After a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014, his first full-length play, Claustrophobia, transfers to The Hope Theatre in London in November.
Sharon Burrell - Producer / Director
Sharon trained as a theatre director at CityLit under the tutorage of award winning playwright and director Simon Bowen. Last year she was selected for Springboard, a training programme run by the Young Vic's Directors Network. Participating directors included Natalie Abrahami, Ramin Gray, Mike Longhurst, Ian Rickson, John Tiffany, Lyndsey Turner and Theatre O.
Other practical experience includes workshopping with Frantic Assembly and observing Max Stafford-Clark in rehearsal for 'Our Country's Good'. She has recently expanded her practice to experiment in digital installation, collaborating with You Are Already Dead at Camden People's Theatre.
As a producer she has trained with Stage One and founded To The Moon in 2012.
Sharon's directing work includes 'Claustrophobia' by Jason Hewitt at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (read her interview with The Stage here); 'The Helen Project' (WOW Festival, Southbank Centre); 'The Merchant of Venice' (Goodmann Productions, Courtyard Theatre) which received praise for featuring a female Shylock. She has also directed several shorts for playwrights including Judy Upton, Ed Connole, Tom Jensen and Paul Vates at venues including Park Theatre (Park 200), The Drayton Theatre, and Hen & Chickens. She has also assistant directed on 'A Christmas Carol' and 'The Last Days of Judas Iscariot' at the John Lyon Theatre. She was one of the devisers of To The Moon's first production 'Silent Shakespeare' as well as producer.
Sharon trained as a theatre director at CityLit under the tutorage of award winning playwright and director Simon Bowen. Last year she was selected for Springboard, a training programme run by the Young Vic's Directors Network. Participating directors included Natalie Abrahami, Ramin Gray, Mike Longhurst, Ian Rickson, John Tiffany, Lyndsey Turner and Theatre O.
Other practical experience includes workshopping with Frantic Assembly and observing Max Stafford-Clark in rehearsal for 'Our Country's Good'. She has recently expanded her practice to experiment in digital installation, collaborating with You Are Already Dead at Camden People's Theatre.
As a producer she has trained with Stage One and founded To The Moon in 2012.
Sharon's directing work includes 'Claustrophobia' by Jason Hewitt at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (read her interview with The Stage here); 'The Helen Project' (WOW Festival, Southbank Centre); 'The Merchant of Venice' (Goodmann Productions, Courtyard Theatre) which received praise for featuring a female Shylock. She has also directed several shorts for playwrights including Judy Upton, Ed Connole, Tom Jensen and Paul Vates at venues including Park Theatre (Park 200), The Drayton Theatre, and Hen & Chickens. She has also assistant directed on 'A Christmas Carol' and 'The Last Days of Judas Iscariot' at the John Lyon Theatre. She was one of the devisers of To The Moon's first production 'Silent Shakespeare' as well as producer.
Tom Burgess - Designer
As a freelance arts technician, Tom has worked in nearly every theatrical department and is often called upon to create the unusual or impossible.
He trained at City Lit as a stage manager, designer and technician. He has since operated on shows including 'Personals: The Musical' (The Bridewell) and 'The Night Before Christmas' (The Ambassadors) and stage managed productions such as 'The London 50-Hour Improvathon' (Hoxton Hall) and 'The Terror Season' (Southwark Playhouse), where he was also Lighting Designer for the premiere of Neil LaBute’s controversial new play 'The Unimaginable'.
As an art director, he has worked for BBC Comedy Online and on feature films including award-winning director Steve Balderson’s 'Culture Shock' (Dikenga Films). His special-effects credits include 'Terror: Love Me to Death' (Soho Theatre), 'Real Horror Show' (Leicester Square Theatre) and British horror film 'The Zombie King' (Northern Girl Productions).
Tom directed, designed and curated immersive B-Movie experience 'The Midnight Movie Theatre', seen in Edinburgh and Leicester Square.
As a freelance arts technician, Tom has worked in nearly every theatrical department and is often called upon to create the unusual or impossible.
He trained at City Lit as a stage manager, designer and technician. He has since operated on shows including 'Personals: The Musical' (The Bridewell) and 'The Night Before Christmas' (The Ambassadors) and stage managed productions such as 'The London 50-Hour Improvathon' (Hoxton Hall) and 'The Terror Season' (Southwark Playhouse), where he was also Lighting Designer for the premiere of Neil LaBute’s controversial new play 'The Unimaginable'.
As an art director, he has worked for BBC Comedy Online and on feature films including award-winning director Steve Balderson’s 'Culture Shock' (Dikenga Films). His special-effects credits include 'Terror: Love Me to Death' (Soho Theatre), 'Real Horror Show' (Leicester Square Theatre) and British horror film 'The Zombie King' (Northern Girl Productions).
Tom directed, designed and curated immersive B-Movie experience 'The Midnight Movie Theatre', seen in Edinburgh and Leicester Square.
Shelby Williams - Movement Director
Shelby trained at London Studio Centre and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. She is currently Resident Director on Bend It Like Beckham in London's West End.
Dance performance experience includes: Ballet Work 1020 For Martin Creed: For Matthew Bournes’ New Adventures: Swan Lake, Original Cast Edward Scissorhands, The Car-Man, Highland Fling and Nutcracker!
Film Credits include: WWZ Directed by Marc Forster: Great Expectations Directed by Mike Newell, Choreographed by Fran Jaynes: One Day Directed by Lone Scherfig, Choreographed by Fran Jaynes: Short Order Choreographed by Nanette Kincaid. For New Adventures/AMP, The Car-Man and Nutcracker.
Opera credits include:Assistant Choreographer to Aletta Collins for Magical Night at The Royal Opera House Covent Garden: Carmen for the Salzburg Osterfestspiele and Summer Festival, La Voix Humane and Dido and Aeneas, Opera North, All Directed and Choreographed by Aletta Collins: Lucrezia Borgia at ENO, Directed by Mike Figgis: Assistant Choreographer and Dancer, Turandot at ENO Directed by Rupert Goold, Choreographed by Aletta Collins: Assistant Choreographer, Midsummer Night’s Dream at Opera La Scala Milan and Opera de Lyon, Directed by Robert Carsen, Choreographed by Matthew Bourne.
Other Credits include: Assistant Choreographer and Dancer Foxes Music Video “Holding Onto Heaven” Choreographed by Aletta Collins: Assistant Choreographer for The Theory of Everything- Working Title Films, Directed by James Marsh, Movement Direction by Alex Reynolds: Movement Director for the play Bird of Pray at The Courtyard Theatre, London: Dancer and Assistant Choreographer to Alex Reynolds Hazik and The Giggles music video: Movement Director for Situation Room, Directed by James Blakeley and Tom Mansfield, Shoreditch Town Hall.
Shelby trained at London Studio Centre and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. She is currently Resident Director on Bend It Like Beckham in London's West End.
Dance performance experience includes: Ballet Work 1020 For Martin Creed: For Matthew Bournes’ New Adventures: Swan Lake, Original Cast Edward Scissorhands, The Car-Man, Highland Fling and Nutcracker!
Film Credits include: WWZ Directed by Marc Forster: Great Expectations Directed by Mike Newell, Choreographed by Fran Jaynes: One Day Directed by Lone Scherfig, Choreographed by Fran Jaynes: Short Order Choreographed by Nanette Kincaid. For New Adventures/AMP, The Car-Man and Nutcracker.
Opera credits include:Assistant Choreographer to Aletta Collins for Magical Night at The Royal Opera House Covent Garden: Carmen for the Salzburg Osterfestspiele and Summer Festival, La Voix Humane and Dido and Aeneas, Opera North, All Directed and Choreographed by Aletta Collins: Lucrezia Borgia at ENO, Directed by Mike Figgis: Assistant Choreographer and Dancer, Turandot at ENO Directed by Rupert Goold, Choreographed by Aletta Collins: Assistant Choreographer, Midsummer Night’s Dream at Opera La Scala Milan and Opera de Lyon, Directed by Robert Carsen, Choreographed by Matthew Bourne.
Other Credits include: Assistant Choreographer and Dancer Foxes Music Video “Holding Onto Heaven” Choreographed by Aletta Collins: Assistant Choreographer for The Theory of Everything- Working Title Films, Directed by James Marsh, Movement Direction by Alex Reynolds: Movement Director for the play Bird of Pray at The Courtyard Theatre, London: Dancer and Assistant Choreographer to Alex Reynolds Hazik and The Giggles music video: Movement Director for Situation Room, Directed by James Blakeley and Tom Mansfield, Shoreditch Town Hall.
Michael Cusick - "Aidan"
Michael trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Theatre credits include Against Captain’s Orders (Punchdrunk Enrichment), Early Days of a Better Nation (Coney), The Love Project (Everyday Productions) which was a recipient of the IdeasTap Underbelly Award 2013, The Good Neighbour (BAC), Above and Beyond (Look Left Look Right), Out of Love (Undeb Theatre), and whilst training, Spring Awakening and The Cherry Orchard (RWCMD). Michael is an Old Vic New Voices 24 Hour Play alumni.
Michael trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Theatre credits include Against Captain’s Orders (Punchdrunk Enrichment), Early Days of a Better Nation (Coney), The Love Project (Everyday Productions) which was a recipient of the IdeasTap Underbelly Award 2013, The Good Neighbour (BAC), Above and Beyond (Look Left Look Right), Out of Love (Undeb Theatre), and whilst training, Spring Awakening and The Cherry Orchard (RWCMD). Michael is an Old Vic New Voices 24 Hour Play alumni.
Natasha Pring - "Rachel"
Natasha trained at Drama Centre London.
Theatre credits include The Love Project (The Under Belly Edinburgh, followed by UK tour after winning the Ideas Tap Underbelly award) Rae in The Dug Out (The Tobacco Factory); Cressida in You Once Said Yes (The Roundhouse); Betty Foley in Under Milk Wood (Tobacco Factory and UK tour); Rachel in The Rubenstein Kiss (Soho Theatre); Hermione in The Winter’s Tale and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (Red Rose Chain); Desdemona in Othello (Epsilon Productions); Jessica in The Merchant of Venice (Creation Theatre Company) and Hermia in A Midsummer Nights Dream (Tour of India).
Screen work includes: The Way of the Monkey’s Claw (Marc Price) and The Great Sperm Race (Channel 4).
Natasha is also co-creating and starring in ‘Dusty Horne’s Sound and Fury’ previewing at the Pleasance Islington January 2016. For further information on Natasha please visit http://unitedagents.co.uk/natasha-pring
Natasha trained at Drama Centre London.
Theatre credits include The Love Project (The Under Belly Edinburgh, followed by UK tour after winning the Ideas Tap Underbelly award) Rae in The Dug Out (The Tobacco Factory); Cressida in You Once Said Yes (The Roundhouse); Betty Foley in Under Milk Wood (Tobacco Factory and UK tour); Rachel in The Rubenstein Kiss (Soho Theatre); Hermione in The Winter’s Tale and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (Red Rose Chain); Desdemona in Othello (Epsilon Productions); Jessica in The Merchant of Venice (Creation Theatre Company) and Hermia in A Midsummer Nights Dream (Tour of India).
Screen work includes: The Way of the Monkey’s Claw (Marc Price) and The Great Sperm Race (Channel 4).
Natasha is also co-creating and starring in ‘Dusty Horne’s Sound and Fury’ previewing at the Pleasance Islington January 2016. For further information on Natasha please visit http://unitedagents.co.uk/natasha-pring
Anto Cossu - Assistant Producer / Assistant Director
Anto moved to London from Sardinia, Italy and after abandoning a career in journalism she trained as an actor and a theatre maker at London South Bank University.
She landed her first professional acting role in “Cause For Alarm” by Deborah Klayman (Whoop’n’Wail) Waterloo East Theatre in December 2014.
In September 2015, she joined the Script Accelerator programme run by the Park Theatre where she met Sharon and worked alongside her as assistant and designer on “The View” by Steve Arber. She aspires to be a playwright and a theatre director and she is thrilled to begin her career with To The Moon, with whom she shares the love for the darkest side of human psyche.
Her passion for experimental theatre, combined with an interest in multimedia performance, pushes her to find new ways of doing and seeing things, all things.
Anto is also known as a singer-songwriter and composer under the name of Anto Dust.
She toured Europe with her band and is now currently working on her debut album due out in Spring 2016. Her music received international acclaim and a string of great reviews from radio and press. To hear for yourself, click here.
"Chiming guitars and celestial vocals combine to produce an otherworldly slice of pristine ethereal dream pop which conjures up the beauty of ‘Spooky’ era 4AD shoegaze legends Lush." - BBC6
Anto moved to London from Sardinia, Italy and after abandoning a career in journalism she trained as an actor and a theatre maker at London South Bank University.
She landed her first professional acting role in “Cause For Alarm” by Deborah Klayman (Whoop’n’Wail) Waterloo East Theatre in December 2014.
In September 2015, she joined the Script Accelerator programme run by the Park Theatre where she met Sharon and worked alongside her as assistant and designer on “The View” by Steve Arber. She aspires to be a playwright and a theatre director and she is thrilled to begin her career with To The Moon, with whom she shares the love for the darkest side of human psyche.
Her passion for experimental theatre, combined with an interest in multimedia performance, pushes her to find new ways of doing and seeing things, all things.
Anto is also known as a singer-songwriter and composer under the name of Anto Dust.
She toured Europe with her band and is now currently working on her debut album due out in Spring 2016. Her music received international acclaim and a string of great reviews from radio and press. To hear for yourself, click here.
"Chiming guitars and celestial vocals combine to produce an otherworldly slice of pristine ethereal dream pop which conjures up the beauty of ‘Spooky’ era 4AD shoegaze legends Lush." - BBC6
