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The Grapes of Wrath

The Grapes of Wrath

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10 July - 28 August 2009
Festival Theatre

Adapted by Frank Galati
Based on the novel by John Steinbeck
Director Jonathan Church
With Oliver Cotton, Sorcha Cusack, Damian O'Hare and Christopher Timothy
Co-produced with English Touring Theatre

Published in 1939, Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck’s shattering novel, The Grapes of Wrath, is a cry for equality and humanity, and a hymn to the fortitude of man.
 
The Joads, a family of impoverished Oklahoman sharecroppers, lose everything when their farm is repossessed after a devastating drought and are driven from their home to make the exhausting Westward trek to California. Seduced by the prospect of opportunity and dignity, they invest everything they have in the journey. When forced to face the possibility that California may not after all be the promised land, they have no choice but to go on; nothing is left for them in Oklahoma.
 
Will the Joads achieve their simple dream of a house and a steady job? Or will theirs prove to be the impossible dream? Premiered by Chicago’s renowned Steppenwolf theatre Company in 1988, Frank Galati’s ground-breaking adaptation of Steinbeck’s epic novel won two Tony Awards on its transfer to Broadway. A plea for social justice and compassion, The Grapes of Wrath provides the perfect canvas for a vast ensemble cast and is an all too timely examination of a nation in search of itself.
 
Oliver Cotton plays Jim Casey. He has worked extensively at the RSC and the National theatre. His theatre credits include The Royal Hunt of the Sun (The Royal National), Piano Forte (Royal Court) and more recently, The Clean House.
 
Sorcha Cusack is Ma Joad. She has worked extensively with the RSC and at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin. Her theatre credits include A Miracle at the Royal Court, The Five Wives of Maurice Pinder at the National Theatre, Romeo & Juliet  and King John at the RSC and Sunday Bloody Sunday at the Tricycle Theatre. Her television credits include Dalziel and Pascoe, Coronation Street and until recently, Casualty. 

Christopher Timothy is Pa Joad. His recent theatre credits include tours of Tons of Money, Hay Fever and Heroes. His television credits include Doctors and All Creatures Great and Small. 

Damian O’Hare plays Tom Joad. Recent theatre credits include The Revenger’s Tragedy (Manchester Royal Exchange) and Love’s Labour’s Lost (English Touring Theatre).

John Steinbeck’s novels include Of Mice and Men and East of Eden.
 
Artistic Director Jonathan Church’s productions for Chichester include Nicholas Nickleby, Pravda, Hobson’s Choice and The Circle. His other credits include the Olivier Award-nominated production of Of Mice and Men.
 
The Grapes of Wrath is co-produced with English Touring Theatre. Under the directorship of Rachel Tackley, ETT presents potent, vivid productions of new and classic plays. Recent productions include Entertaining Mr Sloane in the West End and Feydeau's Where There's a Will. Its production of the musical Been So Long plays at the Young Vic this summer. Presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited.

Co-producers and sponsors

OSG Baker Tilly Supported by The Grapes of Wrath Commissioning Circle ETT

No productions found for 'The Grapes of Wrath'.

Last performance
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Preview
Spirit FM Preview
Press night
School's Matinee
Charity Performance
Post-show Talk
  • OUP D £10 C £10 B £24 A £24
  • Previews/ Press Night: D 11 C £19 B £25 A £30
  • Evenings/ Matinees: D £12 C £20 B £29 A £36

(Discounts available)

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  •  Dominic Cavendish reviews The Grapes of Wrath at Chichester Festival Theatre

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    Dominic Cavendish, The Daily Telegraph
  • Chichester seems to have twinned itself with Oklahoma this summer. Joini...
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    Antony Thorncroft, FT
  • In an imaginative piece of programming, the Festival Theatre follows its production of Read more
    Maxwell Cooter, Whatsonstage.com
  • Frank Galati’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath is generally successfu...
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    Michael Sell, The Stage

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