Denial by Arnold Wesker
WARNING: Strong language and allegations of child sexual abuse.
A family is torn apart by memories of events that happened twenty years ago. When Michael and Karen’s daughter pays a visit to a therapist, she unlocks a secret history of stark childhood images, stripped of their innocence. But have these memories been recovered – or invented?
Arnold Wesker, one of Britain’s leading post-war dramatists is author of such landmark plays as ‘Roots,’ ‘The Kitchen,’ ‘Chips With Everything’ and ‘Shylock.’ The World Premier of this taught, psychological drama has been hailed by the press and tremendous critical success.
“Arnold Wesker’s latest play, about child abuse, is brave, honest and urgent.” The Guardian
“This is one of Arnold Wesker’s most gripping and undogmatic plays. Jeremy Child and Rosemary McHale give a pitiless account of despair and incomprehension and Andy Hay’s direction is impeccable.” Sunday Times
“A powerful, sensitive central performance from Nicola Barber.” Bristol Evening Post
“In the end, the play is a vehement assertion of the validity of the nuclear family. It is the promotion of such unfashionable ideas that makes Wesker the British theatre’s congenital outsider.” The Guardian
Cast and creatives
CAST
Jenny: NICOLA BARBER
Karen, Jenny’s mother: ROSEMARY MCHALE
Matthew, Jenny’s father: JEREMY CHILD
Abigail, Jenny’s sister: DIDO MILES
Ziggy, Doctor and friend of the family: BILL WALLIS
Valerie, a therapist: SUSAN TRACY
Sandy, a television journalist: ELLIE HADDINGTON
Bristol Old Vic production
Directed for the stage: ANDY HAY
Set and Costume Desiger: TOM PIPER
Music: JOHN O’HARA
Lighting Designer: TIM STREADER
Sound Designer: JASON BARNES
FOR HERITAGE THEATRE
Producer: ROBERT MARSHALL
Video Director: ROBIN LOUGH
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