The Classic Season shows are performed at Rose Bruford College by our Acting BA (Hons) and Actor Musicianship BA (Hons) students in collaboration with our Design and Production students.
Anatomy of a Suicide by Alice Birch
This stark and radically styled play represents three generations of women facing inner crises that have shocking consequences. Past, present, and future are merged, with events from each time-period played simultaneously, allowing audiences to consider each generation of women in relation to the others. The result is a fascinating play that asks searching questions about mental illness and free will. Anatomy of a Suicide premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in 2017.
“Anatomy of a Suicide confirms that Birch is a questingly experimental writer who has a remarkable gift for reinventing dramatic form” – The Guardian
9 November – 7pm
10 November – 2pm
10 November – 7pm
11 November – 2pm
Venue: Rose Theatre, Rose Bruford College, Burnt Oak Lane, Sidcup, DA15 9DF
All performances of Anatomy of a Suicide will be British Sign Language interpreted by Vinessa Brant
This amateur production of Anatomy of a Suicide is presented by arrangement with United Agents Limited.
The Sweet Science of Bruising by Joy Wilkinson
London 1869: four women from entirely different worlds find themselves in the strange and dangerous world of female boxing. In an epic tale that takes us through the backstreets, pubs, theatres and genteel drawing rooms of noisy Victorian London, the lives of these women interweave in their search for freedom through the blood and sweat of public boxing.
“Joy Wilkinson’s fascinating full-blooded play… takes a well-aimed swing at the politics of sex and class… the stage and the story belong to the women: a knockout.” – The Times
16 November – 7pm
17 November – 2pm
17 November – 7pm
18 November – 2pm
18 November – 7pm
Venue: Barn Theatre, Rose Bruford College, Burnt Oak Lane, Sidcup, DA15 9DF
British Sign Language interpreted performances of The Sweet Science of Bruising are available to book on 17 November – 2pm (BSL by Jacqui Beckford)
This amateur production of The Sweet Science of Bruising is presented by arrangement with Nick Hern Books.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy in a version by Helen Edmundson
Anna Karenina seems to have everything – beauty, wealth, popularity and an adored, beautiful son. But her marriage to the pompous Alexei Karenin can only bring emptiness. Everything changes when she encounters the reckless and passionate Count Vronsky and their scandalous relationship gives rise to a bitterness that will affect all who come near. Helen Edmundson’s adaptation places Anna’s story in juxtaposition with that of Levin, a passionate idealist whose love for Princess Katerina brings the possibility of redemption to this dark story.
“Helen Edmundson’s exemplary adaptation succeeds beyond expectation. To cinematic fluidity is added dazzling stylisation.” – The Times
23 November – 7pm
24 November – 2pm
24 November – 7pm
25 November – 6pm
Venue: Rose Theatre, Rose Bruford College, Burnt Oak Lane, Sidcup, DA15 9DF
British Sign Language interpreted performances of Anna Karenina are available to book on:
- 24 November – 2pm (BSL by Vinessa Brant)
- 25 November – 6pm (BSL by Vinessa Brant)
This amateur production of Anna Karenina is presented by arrangement with Nick Hern Books.
Recommended age for all Modern Classics shows is 16+