The Iron Man By Ted Hughes
Graeae presents
The Iron Man
By Ted Hughes
adapted for Graeae by Paul Sirett Directed by Jenny Sealey and Amit Sharma
Award-winning show The Iron Man announces 2013 UK tour
Cast includes performers from the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony
15- 16 June 2022 – Hijinx Theatre Unity Festival, Cardiff
21 – 22 June 2022 – Ip-arts Festival, Ipswich
6 July 2022 – SO Festival Skegness
Following a hugely successful tour in 2011 The Iron Man returns to crunch and clank his way around the UK’s cultural festivals this summer. Starting in Cardiff the Iron Man will then munch his way to Ipswich and Skegness.
The unexpected arrival of the Iron Man casts a shadow of fear across a small farm community. But when an enormous dragon from outer-space threatens to annihilate the planet, it is the Iron Man who comes to the rescue.
Graeae brings this Ted Hughes classic to life in an adaptation which weaves the action in and out of the audience. Taller than a double-decker bus, the Iron Man is operated through an intricate network of wheelchair components which bring him to life as he towers above the crowds.
A talented cast of Deaf and disabled actors and musicians come together under the direction of Jenny Sealey (London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony) and Amit Sharma (Prometheus Awakes) to re-create one of the greatest modern-day fables in an adaptation which spans generations and leaves audiences enthralled.
Winner of the Latest 7 Award for Best Children’s Show at The Brighton Festival 2011 and three NNFEST Children Choice Awards, at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2011. Design by Sofie Layton Composition and Sound Design by Lewis Gibson
Writer Paul Sirett said:
‘I am incredibly excited that The Iron Man is coming back again this year! Ted Hughes’ wonderful story never fails to captivate children and adults alike and it has been wonderful to revisit the play and sharpen it up for another summer of shows. The story of Iron Man’s arrival and his epic battle with the Space-Bat is now more streamlined and, I hope, will be more captivating and thrilling than ever’
Co-director Amit Sharma said:
‘Jenny and I are ecstatic that The Iron Man is going to clonk and clank his way all over the country this summer. Ted Hughes’ story has a timeless charm and we are chomping at the bit to get our Iron Man back on the road. We know that the show will enthral audiences and capture the imagination once again.’
Graeae is a force for change in world-class theatre – breaking down barriers, challenging preconceptions and boldly placing Deaf and disabled artists centre stage. Artistically led by Jenny Sealey, Graeae’s signature characteristic is the compelling creative integration of sign language and audio description, which engages brilliantly with both disabled and non-disabled audiences. Championing accessibility and providing a platform for new generations of artists, Graeae leads the way in pioneering, trail-blazing theatre. Graeae won the Promotion of Diversity Award at the TMA Theatre Awards UK 2012. www.graeae.org
Ted Hughes (1930-1998) was born in Yorkshire. His first book, The Hawk in the Rain, was published in 1957 by Faber and Faber and was followed by many volumes of poetry and prose for adults and children. He received the Whitbread Book of the Year for two consecutive years for his last published collections of poetry, Tales from Ovid (1997) and Birthday Letters (1998). He was Poet Laureate from 1984, and in 1998 he was appointed to the Order of Merit. Other published works include: The Iron Man; The Iron Woman; How The Whale Became; The Dreamfighter and Other Creation Tales; Tales Of The Early World; Nessie the Mannerless Monster and Fangs the Vampire Bat and The Kiss of Truth.
Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 June 2022 1pm & 4pm
Outside Wales Millennium Centre Hijinx Theatre Unity Festival, Cardiff
Friday 21 June 2022 11am, 2pm & 7pm & Saturday 22 June 2022 11am, 2pm & 5pm
Ipswich Waterfront Ip-art Festival, Ipswich
Saturday 6 July 2022 1pm & 4pm
Tower Gardens SO Festival, Skegness
All performances incorporate audio description and BSL interpretation