theatre company presents
Clamber Up the Crucifix
by John Kitchen
Directed by Gary Phillpott
❝A captivating play from start to finish, this will have you
drawn in from the dramatic first scene.❞
5* Public Reviews
❝Off the Fence have an impressive track record of producing new work.❞
Panda Cox, Out of Joint
Clamber Up the Crucifix
A PLAY FOR WW1
Clamber Up the Crucifix begins at the end: midday,
11th November 1918. To the officers, Parker was
invisible, hardly more human than the telegraph key
he operates. Earlier that day, and privy to certain
information, Parker had caused serious offence.
His sentence is due, footsteps approach.
Clamber Up the Crucifix explores the life of a telegraph
key operator in the trenches and the mind of an ordinary
soldier caught up in the long waits interspersed with the
terrifying bombardments of life at the Front. This is a
play for one actor playing five different roles , a gritty and
emotional reminder of what life was like for millions of
young men a century ago.
“Jonny McClean (Parker) … is sincere and believable
from the start, with an attention to detail shown in each
individual character… The play also shows director
Gary Phillpott’s gifted eye for keeping the performance
authentic and perceptive.” 5* The Public Reviews
About the Writer
John Kitchen is a Leicester-based writer. His first short
play for Curve’s New Writer’s Project in 2012 has been
extended into a full length version. John’s second short
play You’re Not Leaving Your Friend, Are You? was
produced by Off the Fence Theatre Company at Curve
for their Hitchcock re:presented season in October 2013.
He was commissioned to write two more short plays for
the 14/48 festival performed at The Y Theatre, Leicester
in March 2014
Off the Fence Theatre Company
❝ Off the Fence have regularly come to my attention
over the past year, having not only produced a series of
successful theatre events under their own banner but
having also created the only pub theatre in Leicester.❞
Suba Das, Curve
Off the Fence Theatre Company (OtF) creates and tours
engaging contemporary theatre.
Since their first production in December 2011 Off the
Fence has produced 29 plays. This includes Hitchcock
re:presented, a sequence of 11 new, short plays
performed at Curve, Leicester in September and
October 2013 as part of their Hitchcock season.
In August 2013 Arts Council England granted funding
for Off the Fence to develop Stranger in the Kitchen
by Azma Dar, a new full length play, due to tour nationally
from Spring 2015 and including a mentoring programme
with Max Stafford-Clark and Out of Joint in London.
Off the Fence are resident theatre company at
Upstairs at the Western and programme brave, inspiring
and engaging work.
For further information and to book performances please
contact Verity at [email protected]
theatre company
Touring 1 September - 22 November 2014
Reviews for Off the Fence Theatre Company’s Two Plays for World War I
England Expects by Tom Glover
Clamber Up the Crucifix by John Kitchen
“England Expects dispenses humour and pathos
with equal measure” Western Park Gazette
“A play that fits very neatly into the canon of retrospective
World War I plays ... but above all is a genuine tale of
humour and individual trauma.” Here Comes Everyone
From Twitter:
“Both WWI plays absolutely terrific. The cast and
all involved should be proud”
“A well written play which is both brilliantly acted
and directed”
“A great production” “ An amazing performance”
“A must see for those who enjoy gritty, honest theatre
with an historical point of view” 5* Public Reviews
• Cast............................1 actor
• Get in........................2 hours
• Get out........................1 hour
• Crew.................1 technician
• Stage size.......over 3m x 2m
• Set................1 wooden chair
.1 wooden table, 1 army tent
..................1 ladder, 1 trench
• Running time........... 65 mins
• Fee...................... negotiable
(can work to a box office split)
Contacts
Artistic Director Gary Phillpott Producer [email protected] 07545 147137
Verity Bartesch [email protected] 07891 532893
Media Manager Sally Jack [email protected] 07505 521632
Upstairs At The Western 70 Western Road Leicester LE3 0GA
@OfftheFenceTC
www.off-the-fence.com
@UpstairsWestern