The Dukes Theatre and Red Ladder Theatre Company in association with Tamasha presents
Glory at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
Monday 4 to Wednesday 7 March at 7.30pm
Set in the eccentric world of British wrestling, Glory – a new play by writer and broadcaster Nick Ahad (Partition/The Chef Show) – is coming to Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre from 4 to 7 March as part of its national tour.
As British wrestling experiences a resurgence across the UK, Glory will immerse audiences into the larger-than-life world of the sport. Set in a decrepit gym in the north of England, it sees faded star Jim ‘Glorious’ Glory and amateur wrestlers Dan, Ben and Sami confronting their demons and each other, as their lives collide – inside and outside the wrestling ring. The unique world that British wrestling inhabits provides a backdrop to Nick Ahad’s state-of-the-nation play, as it grapples with race, identity and what it means to be British today.
Nick says: “I used to watch wrestling when I was a little boy. I still remember the excitement of seeing Giant Haystacks fight Big Daddy at Victoria Hall in Keighley in the 1980s. But I thought British wrestling was a relic of the past. I couldn't have been more wrong. Wrestling is alive, well – and as entertaining as ever. With larger than life characters and a perfect combination of sport, performance, blood and sweat, it is pure theatre. It is also the perfect arena to explore the Britain we all share today. I can't think of a better place for drama to play out than the inside of a wrestling ring.”
Glory is a co-production by The Dukes Theatre and Red Ladder Theatre Company in association with Tamasha, marking the first collaborative partnership between the three organisations. Directed by Red Ladder’s artistic director Rod Dixon (The Damned United/ Mother Courage and Her Children), it is performed by Josh Hart (Dan), Jamie Smelt (Jim Glory), Ali Azhar (Sami) and Joshua Lyster (Ben).
Glory can be seen in the Round at the SJT at 7.30pm on Monday 4, Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 march. Tickets are priced from £10, and can be booked at the box office on 01723 370541 or via the website: www.sjt.uk.com