Sibling rivalry, childhood regrets and the ties that bind us are explored in an unmissable performance at Kirkby Stephen Sport and Social Club.
Elysium Theatre Company presents Hello and Goodbye, an intense and moving play by leading South African playwright Athol Fugard as part of the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme on Friday November 5 at 7.30pm.
Set in Port Elizabeth in the 1960s, the hello and goodbye of the title refers to the fleeting reunion of estranged siblings Johnnie and Hester Smits after many years apart.
Hester moved away from her hated childhood home 12 years ago and left Johnnie to care for their father – a domineering man who lost his leg in a workplace accident.
Now Hester is back to confront her past and for her share of the compensation money. But during her fruitless search for the windfall, a dark drama unfolds around the debts we owe each other, financial and emotional.
Highlights Rural Touring Scheme works with grassroots volunteers from over 65 village halls and community venues across the North of England to bring vibrant, entertaining and thought-provoking performances and live events to the heart of rural communities.
Kate Lynch, director at Highlights, said: “We work hard to bring high quality arts performances more traditionally found in large theatres to small rural community spaces.
“Elysium Theatre Company has fast gained a reputation for producing trailblazing work and we are thrilled rural audiences will be able to experience their latest production right here on their doorstep.”
Elysium TC co-founder Danny Solomon and Hannah Ellis Ryan, more recently of Coronation Street fame, play the damaged siblings in this emotive two-handed drama about families, love and lost dreams.
Elysium TC is an award-winning, independent theatre company based in Durham who specialise in bringing the best of world theatre to the North.
This performance is only one of many unmissable live events taking place in village halls and community venues across the county as part of the Highlights Autumn programme.
Visit the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme website for the full programme at www.highlightsnorth.co.uk
All performances will adhere to the latest government COVID-19 guidelines, Highlights said and is urging people wherever possible to book tickets online.
