An intimate, immersive and voyeuristic take on a folk horror classic
The world premier of Robin/Red/Breast will run at Manchester’s Aviva Studios from 15 - 26 May. This live performance, starring Maxine Peake, booker-shortlisted author Daisy Johnson, musician Gazelle Twin, director Sarah Frankcom and choreographer Imogen Knight, collaborate on a powerful, contemporary retelling of cult folk horror classic Robin Redbreast, that tackles complex issues around fertility, violence and power. This is the latest project from MAAT (Music, Art, Activism, Theatre) the new production company from Peake, Frankcom and Knight.
Norah is an outsider in the village. A TV script editor and city dweller seeking a slower pace of life after a breakup. But the village is not as it seems. Ancient rituals bubble below the surface and Norah finds herself trapped in an idyllic nightmare. With the villagers closing in, Norah must fight for control of her body, fertility and ultimately her story. Will she escape before the harvest?
Blurring the boundaries between theatre, art and music Robin/Red/Breast is adapted from the iconic 1970 BBC Play for Today Robin Redbreast, a startling work of folk horror which is often seen as a precursor to The Wicker Man. Peake and her collaborators are transforming Robin Redbreast into an intimate performance that combines folk horror with immersive storytelling and live music presenting a striking and subversive adaptation of the TV play, that explores the original themes and context through a contemporary lens.
A tale of bodily autonomy, power and rebirth, Robin/Red/Breast is an impressive and compelling adaptation for our times.
ROBIN/RED/BREAST: 15 - 26 MAY 2024
Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
Further Information: Robin/Red/Breast – Factory International