Eija Gibson: Directing Theatre@41’s first community play, It’s A Wonderful Life
THEATRE@41, Monkgate, York, is to play host to its first community play from December 10 to 23.
The John Cooper Studio’s black-box theatre will be transformed for the classic Christmas story of It’s A Wonderful Life with a community cast and crew.
Directed by Eija Gibson, Mary Elliott Nelson’s stage adaptation of Frank Capra’s 1946 film follows down-on-his-luck banker George Bailey as he is paid a visit by his guardian angel on Christmas Eve 1946.
Soon he discovers how life in Bedford Falls – the beloved small American town where he has grown up – would be without him, whereupon his outlook is transformed in a joyful story of love, hope and community.
The show poster for Theatre@41’s community play, It’s A Wonderful Life
This will be the first time the intimate independent theatre has staged its own community production. Auditions for community actors to take part in this winter’s production will take place on Sunday, June 28 at Theatre@41. An audition pack with further details and a link to sign up is available at https://63872f16-4d92-4e53-b625-a6dcb0d0b81d.filesusr.com/ugd/8d660e_d0eebbde62c14d67893e7e2eade6f382.pdf.
Director Eija Gibson is an exciting young director with a growing reputation, whose credits include being associate artist at Leeds theatre company Wrongsemble.
Eija will be mentored by Theatre@41 theatre manager Tom Bellerby, who has worked at the National Theatre, Donmar Warehouse and several leading regional theatres, Hull Truck Theatre among them.
“I am so excited to be directing this gorgeous show in such a wonderful space!” she says. “It is such an exciting opportunity and I can’t wait to bring my vision to Theatre@41, learn from Tom’s mentorship and meet the wonderful creatives of York to create a really strong ensemble and a beautiful show.
Step this way: The entrance to Theatre@41, Monkgate, where auditions for It’s A Wonderful Life will take place on June 28. Picture: James Drury
“Hope, community and connection are at the heart of It’s A Wonderful Life. Through intimate staging, fluid storytelling and visual contrast, and most importantly a strong ensemble, we will bring Bedford Falls to York.”
In a message to auditionees and subsequently successful recruits, she says: “Join me for a collaborative, supportive and creative rehearsal process, resulting in a production that feels uplifting, heartfelt and celebratory.”
Theatre@41 chair Alan Park says: “For more than 25 years, Theatre@41 has hosted productions from York’s incredible community theatre companies. It’s A Wonderful Life will allow us to showcase the very best of York’s community theatre performers and creatives. We can’t wait to welcome people to our own Bedford Falls as we throw a lasso round the moon to re-create the most life affirming of Christmas stories.”
Theatre@41 theatre manager Tom Bellerby says: “We are really excited about this new project and providing the theatre audiences of York with an alternative offer this festive season. Our brilliant community creatives will be mentored by experienced professional artists, providing a unique opportunity for those involved.”
Megan Drury in Wright & Grainger’s Selene, playing Theatre@41, Monkgate, on July 15 and 16
Already this year, under Bellerby’s management, Theatre@41 has partnered with internationally acclaimed North Yorkshire theatre company Wright & Grainger to co-produce their new show, Selene, now on a UK tour after an acclaimed run in Australia and New Zealand.
Starring Australian theatre, film and television actor Megan Drury, Selene will play Theatre@41 on July 15 (7.30pm) and July 16 (8.30pm) ahead of its Edinburgh Fringe run in Alexander Flanagan Wright and Phil Grainger’s story of the goddess and the dark side of the moon.
In this radical explosion of an ancient lunar myth by the company behind Helios, Orpheus and The Gods The Gods The Gods, a young girl watches the moon landings on repeat, a teenager makes a list of all the things they are not and a young adult starts to discover who they are.
“It’s a story about the light sides of us, the dark sides of us, and the things we grow up in the orbit of – and about the stuff inside us, all the wild stuff inside us,” say Wright & Grainger.
Tickets for Selene and It’s A Wonderful Life are on sale at https://tickets.41monkgate.co.uk/.
Phil Grainger and Alexander Flanagan Wright of Wright & Grainger, creators of Selene