A Library Theatre production at Murrays' Mills
Hard Times
8th June - 2nd July 2011
For Sale
- By Charles Dickens with an adaption written for the Library Theatre by Charles Way
- £15 - £22
Hard Times is Charles Dickens’ novel of the industrial North West, a dramatic story of remarkable events in a 19th century mill town.
This unique production is staged in the atmospheric and authentic setting of Murrays’ Mills in Ancoats, where the audience is immersed into the world of Coketown. Circus, music, and a sometimes grotesquely comic edge all go into the rich mix of this truly Dickensian event.
For Hard Times, the Library Theatre Company acknowledges the support of Arts Council England, the European Regional Development Fund, and Modern History.
Hard Times Performances |
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| Wed 8 Jun | 7:30pm | Press Night | £20 (£15) | |
| Thu 9 Jun | 7:30pm | £20 (£15) | ||
| Fri 10 Jun | 7:30pm | £22 | ||
| Sat 11 Jun | 7:30pm | £22 | ||
| Tue 14 Jun | 7:30pm | £20 (£15) | ||
| Wed 15 Jun | 7:30pm | Signed Performance | £20 (£15) | |
| Thu 16 Jun | 7:30pm | £20 (£15) | ||
| Fri 17 Jun | 7:30pm | £22 | ||
| Sat 18 Jun | 7:30pm | £22) | ||
| Tue 21 Jun | 7:30pm | £20 (£15) | ||
| Wed 22 Jun | 7:30pm | £20 (£15) | ||
| Thu 23 Jun | 7:30pm | £20 (£15) | ||
| Fri 24 Jun | 7:30pm | £22 | ||
| Sat 25 Jun | 7:30pm | £22 | ||
| Tue 28 Jun | 7:30pm | Signed Performance | £20 (£15) | |
| Wed 29 Jun | 7:30pm | £20 (£15) | ||
| Thu 30 Jun | 7:30pm | £20 (£15) | ||
| Fri 1 Jul | 7:30pm | £22 | ||
| Sat 2 Jul | 7:30pm | £22 | ||
For the modern theatregoer, the journey to Murrays’ Mills is rewarding, thanks to this imaginative and enjoyable promenade production by the Library Theatre.
The audience strolls, walks and, at moments of heightened tension, almost runs to keep up with the action, swiftly flowing across the worn wooden boards of the mill floor. Charles Way’s adaptation daringly restructures Dickens’s plot, yet sticks to the motto of his lisping ringmaster Mr Sleary: “People mutht be amuthed.
Director Chris Honer’s promenade production is no gimmick. Rather it sweeps its audience, literally and emotionally, along the 75 metre mill-floor from scene to scene.
This could well be the most original and engaging thing you will see this year.
Hard Times was an ambitious project for this centre of theatrical excellence to undertake but with artistic director Chris Honer at the helm, anything is possible. The whole cast put in strong and affecting performances. Magnificent.
Chris Honer’s production is moving, thoughtful and wonderfully drawn. It is a thoroughly enchanting evening and, with comfortable shoes on, it’s a show not to be missed.
This unusual piece of theatre is well worth a visit as it works well as a production, contains some great performances, is often very funny and is in a style that is far from unique but is certainly different from most theatre productions you will have the chance to see.
The promenading aspect is the theatrical equivalent of a 3D film at the IMAX, allowing us to observe Dickens’ gallery of grotesques at very close quarters – and the acting from the professional cast members is extraordinarily good.
Charles Way’s adaptation and Chris Honer’s sensitive direction keeps the story clear, the characters believable, and mirror Dickens’ ability by ensuring the audience is hungry for the next plot development. Judith Croft’s design recreates Victorian wealth and poverty living side-by-side and makes full use of the mill space.
It’s not like going to see any other play. Here the audience is in the thick of the action; you feel Tom rush past you to get away from his father’s house; you sense Mrs Sparsit’s eyes drilling through you to watch Louisa and James in a secret tryst, you see right into Stephen Blackpool’s desperation through his trials and tribulations. With Hard Times, you really get the feeling that you’re all in this together.
— Laura Maley preview guest blogger
It was a multi-layered performance helped by the multi-level performance area of the mill and the authentic atmosphere. The mill has been empty for many years but was suddenly ringing with voices, footsteps, singing and the sounds of an appreciative audience. Perhaps the ghosts of the real mill workers were looking on in wonder at the performance.
— Therese Wright preview guest blogger
This truly was an unforgettable night at the ‘theatre’ for me and I am so glad I had the chance to experience it, I only wish I could do so again.
— Alison Mee preview guest blogger
The concentration of the actors was just incredible. They focused so entirely on each other and seemed utterly unaware of our presence.
— Martine Frampton preview guest blogger
Everything seemed to come together, from the lighting challenges and sound effects to the various detailed sets scattered the length of the first floor.
Library Theatre Company
The Cast
- Diane Byrne
- Community Company
- Linda Carver
- Community Company
- Donna Cullen
- Community Company
- Mina Anwar
- Rachel
- Adiva Chandler
- Community Company
- Eleanor Frampton
- Community Company
- David Crellin
- Blackpool / Sleary
- Rachel Katzenellenbogen
- Community Company
- Jennifer Keeble
- Community Company
- Gareth Cassidy
- Tom / Slackbridge
- Isabella Leung
- Community Company
- Alicia Lucas
- Community Company
- David Fleeshman
- Gradgrind
- Ylan Mackay
- Community Company
- Georgina O'Brien
- Community Company
- Lucy Frost
- Circus Artiste
- Beccy Simpson
- Community Company
- Julia Whitehead
- Community Company
- Owen Gaynor
- Circus Artiste
- Jeremy Nutter
- Community Company
- Mike Byrne
- Community Company
- Richard Hand
- Mr M'Chockumchild / President / Harthouse
- Gary Caroll
- Community Company
- Geoff Field
- Community Company
- Richard Heap
- Bounderby
- Rob Ireland
- Community Company
- Andy Mantell
- Community Company
- Verity-May Henry
- Sissy
- Gary Marsh
- Community Company
- Chris Smith
- Community Company
- Roberta Kerr
- Mrs Gradgrind / Mrs Pegler
- Howard Totty
- Community Company
- Peter Towey
- Community Company
- Alice O'Connell
- Louisa
- Lynda Rooke
- Mrs Sparsit / Stevens's Wife
- Arthur Wilson
- Bitzer
Production Crew
- Chris Honer
- Director
- Judith Croft
- Designer
- Elisa Amesbury
- Assistant Director
- Cassey Driver
- Assistant Stage Manager
- Colin Sell
- Composor
- Nick Richings
- Lighting Designer
- Mish Weaver
- Circus Director
- Peter Rice
- Sound Designer
- Sarah Rowland
- Project Manager
- Gareth Roberts
- Production Manager
- Jamie Byron
- Company Stage Manager
- Ed Salt
- Deputy Stage Manager
- Avril Mason
- Chief Technician
- Paul Gregory
- Sound Supervisor
- Daniel Stuart
- Assistant Lighting and Sound Technician
- Liz Horrigan
- Wardrobe Supervisor
- David Doyle
- Technician
Related News & Blog Posts
Blog: Writing Times: Guest bloggers attend rehearsals
As part of our series of online events that will accompany the forthcoming production of Hard Times, we’ve invited four Library Theatre Twitter and Facebook foll...… Read more
Blog: Video: How Hard Times was made
This brand new documentary charts the Library Theatre Companies progress in 2011 as we put on one of the most adventurous productions ever staged in our 59 year history.… Read more
News: Hard Times round up
Our production of Hard Times has reached its conclusion with the final performance on Saturday July 2nd 2011 and now the Library Theatre starts gearing up to stage a ...… Read more
News: Looking for Hard Times tickets?
Whilst all advance sale tickets are now sold, we have a small number of tickets that will be available for sale on the day of each show.… Read more
Blog: Video: Take a peek behind the scenes
Part 3 of our series of short videos on the making of Hard Times is out now. We’re documenting the project as it happens, so each episode takes you right up to t...… Read more
News: HARD TIMES IN MANCHESTER – YOUR CHANCE TO BE INVOLVED IN A GREAT DRAMA
We're recruiting a Community Company of actors to support the forthcoming production of Charles Dickens’s HARD TIMES. An amazing opportunity to experience l...… Read more
News: Hard Times casting announced
David Fleeshman to star as Thomas Gradgrind in Library Theatre Company production of Hard Times. David Fleeshman, one of the city’s best-known and respected actors,...… Read more
News: Seeking blog writers to attend Hard Times reheasals...
Announcing a unique opportunity for four people to observe rehearsals for Hard Times and write a blog about what they witness.… Read more
Comments on Hard Times
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Saw Hard Times last night - thought it was a brilliant use of the the space and had a great evening. How about Hobson's Choice or An Inspector Calls at Murrays' Mill? The atmospherics of the place could really work well.
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We were lucky enough to watch this brilliant production last night. Amazingly atmospheric with exceedingly good acting. Thanks to you all for a great and unique experience!
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Good luck to David Fleeshman, not that he'll need it. Top actor, always was, right from our days at drama school together. Hope to make it up there for the production. If not catch me on Facebook. All the best Ann
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Went to see Hard Times last night. Just brilliant! Please congratulate the actors, director and production team on a most wonderful and unforgetable experience.
[PS: Did you hear the young people in the audience saying things like ' I never expected anything like this '] -
Thank-you to Chris Honer (and belated Happy Birthday!) for giving me the opportunity to benefit from a master class for theatre virgins like me, and to all the brilliant professional cast; back up staff, and my charismatic fellow volunteers who all helped to make this one of the highlights of my life in terms of enjoyment, fun, camaraderie, plus the pure satisfaction and pride in being involved in a wonderful dramatisation of a great classic of English Literature. I always knew it could be fun being miserable!
Treasured personal memories will be enhanced by the photographic record I have fondly compiled. I appreciate being allowed to post these on Youtube under "Hard Times unofficial" and I hope others will enjoy looking at them.
I had the great pleasure of seeing 'Hard Times' last night and what a superb event it was! A perfect match of material and location, adding up to a truly absorbing experience. Well done, Library Theatre, for giving us not only great performances but also the opportunity to see inside one of the city's great historic buildings. A real treat! More, please!