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BEFRANK THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS:
THE POINT OF NO RETURN
NEW DIORAMA THEATRE 28 ARPIL – 23 MAY 2015
•
The first UK professional production inspired by real-life, firsthand witness testimonies of
Ukraine’s Maidan Revolution
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Part of European Cultural Exchange supported by the European Cultural Foundation &
MitOst dedicated to building EU-Ukrainian cultural relations
•
Tour of Sweden and Ukraine follows UK debut
Civilian protestors, many of them adolescents and students, face down military police across a public
plaza.
Snipers crouch on windswept rooftops, awaiting orders.
Government officials sit in meeting rooms pondering the appropriate use of force, while tightening their
grip on the nation’s channels of communication.
Political activists and radicals wait for the moment to strike the match on the Molotov cocktail; the
moment when unrest becomes revolution…
…The Point Of No Return.
In the tumult of the early 21st century, violent political upheaval looms so large over the news agenda
that we can sometimes overlook the multitudinous human perspectives seen, heard and felt on the
ground, at eye level.
This April, just fourteen months after the last such seismic event, in Kiev, Ukraine, theatre producers
and providers of culture-based social outreach and education programmes BeFrank Theatre Company
will continue their drive to use performing arts to tell the individual, personal true stories of political
revolution that journalists, historians and academics cannot reach.
Based on the real-life testimonies of witnesses, victims of, and participants in the last days of the
Maidan uprising in February 2014, The Point of No Return transports us to a fictional yet eerily familiar
world where opposing political factions seem to be experiencing the same events as distinct realities.
On this constantly-shifting landscape the thoughts, opinions and actions of the conflicted university
lecturer, the frightened military policeman, the idealistic student activist, the morally nebulous politician
and the fanatical revolutionary help us discover the truth of how, why and to whom these tectonic
political shifts happen.
BeFrank was also selected as one of 12 EU organisations to be a part of the TANDEM Ukraine
Programme, an initiative of the European Cultural Foundation (Amsterdam) and MitOst (Berlin),
supported by the German government’s Federal Foreign Office (Berlin). !
Within this programme BeFrank has partnered up with Kharkiv-based ‘Theatre na Zhukah’ to develop
an artistic and social programme (‘Making a Difference through Theatre’) and deliver outreach activities
and skill-sharing across borders, regions and cultures in Ukraine. Alongside this programme, BeFrank
will also be touring the show to partner theatres.
ENDS.
!
For further information, images and press tickets please contact:
Borkowski Arts & Ents - +44 (0)203 176 2700
Gregor Cubie - [email protected]
NOTES TO EDITORS
Listings:
THE POINT OF NO RETURN – by Tommy Lexen
(eves) Tues – Sats; 28 April – 23 May @ 19:30
(mats) Sats; 2, 9, 16 & 23 @ 15:30
(captioned performance) Wednesday 20 May @ 19:30
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Venue: Tickets: Web: Box Office: !
New Diorama Theatre, London £15.00; £12.00 concessions
http://newdiorama.com/whats-on/the-point-of-no-return
0207 383 9034
Production Copy:
The country is in turmoil. The capital is on fire. Riot police try to keep order as protesters arm themselves with
homemade weapons, and prepare to stand their ground and fight for a common cause: a new beginning.
Meanwhile, a father desperately searches for his missing daughter as government officials deliberate the
appropriate use of force. Someone waits for the perfect moment to strike the match on a Molotov cocktail;
the moment when unrest becomes revolution… The Point Of No Return.
!
Critically acclaimed BeFrank Theatre Company returns to New Diorama Theatre with a new thoughtprovoking that tells the extraordinary story of how a society struck back against a repressive government and
changed the course of history. Set in a fictional yet familiar place, this story explores large-scale political
events, democratic values and the right to freedom-of-speech, through the eyes of ordinary people from all
walks of life.
!
From extensive research and journeys into the heart of Ukraine, ‘The Point of No Return’ is based upon the
personally recorded real-life stories of those involved in the last 4 days of the revolution in Kiev, February
2014.
!
*****
Cast: Vikash Bhai, Luiana Bonfim, Matt Maltby, Charlotte Gascoyne, Haakon Smestad, Jodyanne
Richardson and Drew McKenzie.
Creative Team: Writer/Director: Tommy Lexen, Composer: Ben Osborn, Dramaturg: Amanda Fromell,
Movement Director: Svetlana Biba, Set/Costume Designer: Hiroko Matsuo, Lighting Designer: Joshua Pharo,
Associate Producer: Philippa Kane, Executive Producer: Neil Walker, Outreach Manager: Kate Brown,
Production Assistants: Mel Harrison and Daniel McElroy.
Outreach Events:
TALK/DISCUSSION: Ukrainian Revolution: Then and Now
Thursday 30th April @ 21.45 (post-show panel discussion)
TALK/DISCUSSION: Silencing the People: Freedom of Expression in a Global Society
Wednesday 6th May @ 21.45 (post-show panel discussion)
TALK/DISCUSSION: Closer to Home: How Revolutions Across the World Affect Everyone
Thursday 14th May @ 21.45 (post-show panel discussion)
TALK/DISCUSSION: Electing Europe: Joining or Withdrawing - Who Decides Our Future In Europe?
Thursday 21st May @ 21.45 (post-show panel discussion)
*****
'Making a difference through Theatre’ - Programme (part of the TANDEM Ukraine)
Using BeFrank’s documentary/social responsive play about Euromaidan as a starting point, BeFrank
together with Theatre na Zhukah will invite young and emerging Ukrainian performers and theatre makers to
workshop this technique as well as sharing Ukrainian techniques with a multicultural ensemble, exchange
Directors over a day and engage local communities in post-show discussions and debates hosted by local
theatres in three regions.
*****
TANDEM Ukraine:
TANDEM Ukraine is an initiative of the European Cultural Foundation (Amsterdam) and MitOst (Berlin). The
programme is realised in the framework of “Dialogue for Change”, supported by the Federal Foreign Office
(Berlin). TANDEM is an exchange programme that assists cultural organisations in developing long-term working
relationships, knowledge development and networking opportunities with project partners from Europe and
beyond. The programme was co-created by ECF and MitOst and since 2011 has supported the
professional development of over 120 cultural managers coming from ca. 35 countries in wider Europe. TANDEM Ukraine aims at establishing long-term partnerships between cultural organisations working in the
field of community arts, voluntary or amateur arts and (non-formal) arts education. The programme engages
participants in an intense transnational collaboration process, which includes the realisation of a
joint interdisciplinary project that is linked to their cultural expertise and their community
*****
This production mad in collaboration with/or supported by: Arts Council England, New Diorama Theatre (London), Centre for European Studies/Lund University (Lund,
Sweden), European Culture Foundation, Federal Foreign Office (Berlin, Germany), MitOst (Berlin, Germany),
Old Vic New Voices (London), Ukrainian Events in London (London), The Gålö Foundation (Stockholm,
Sweden), IdeasTap (London), Folkteatren (Gothenburg, Sweden), Theatre na Zhukah (Kharkiv, Ukraine) and V. Zavalniuk's "Peretvorennya" Theatre (Kiev, Ukraine).
!
About BeFrank Theatre Company
!
BeFrank Theatre Company produces ambitious, visually engaging and thought-provoking productions based
upon real life stories, current topics and social/political events. The Company was formed in 2010 by Artistic
Director Tommy Lexen and has since then developed into an ensemble and creative team from seven
different countries representing four continents. !
We collaborate across multiple disciplines and bring together theatre makers, musicians, academics,
journalists and experts to explore different perspectives and ways of telling a story to a wider audience. We
aim to create performances that bridge the gaps between communities and create dialogues that inspire
social change.
!
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“The drive and determination of this company is breathtaking and inspiring.”
- David Byrne, New Diorama Theatre
Our process is based upon extensive research and development, field studies and an exploration of digital
technologies and storytelling. Our vision is to produce performances of the highest artistic and intellectual
quality as well being engaging, interesting and accessible for a wider audience. We strive to discover the
human story behind the headlines and show the perspectives others are afraid to tackle.
!
BeFrank has a strong commitment to exploring and communicating real-life stories and global issues using
dynamic, innovative and engaging theatrical techniques. As part of our artistic mission we aim to work with
strategic partners who have a specific connection to, or interest in, the content of our productions and
related outreach and education work. This includes academic institutions and research centres, local and
international NGO’s as well as cultural organisations and theatre companies/venues.
!
Our Outreach and Participation Programmes are at the very heart of BeFrank’s work. We aim for our
productions to be a platform from which young and old, different cultures and communities as well as
opposing parties, can connect with each other and start a conversation.
!
Website: www.justbefrank.eu
Twitter: @BeFrankTheatre
About the Writer & Director Tommy Lexen
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Over the last 10 years Tommy has been working cross-disciplinary with theatre companies and venues in
UK, Sweden, Ukraine, DR Congo, Hungary, and Russia. He has a Masters Degree in directing from Royal
Central School of Speech and Drama and a Masters Degree in writing from Stockholm’s Academy of
Dramatic Arts. He has also been mentored by award-winning playwright Duncan Macmillan (‘1984’, ’Lungs’,
‘Monster’ and ’Every Brilliant Thing’). As a Director and Writer he focuses on making contemporary political and socially relevant work, verbatim
performances and new writing. Tommy is also the co-founder and Artistic Director of BeFrank Theatre
Company.
“One of the most powerful, thought-provoking and brutal pieces I have ever seen.” - Edward Bowes, OneStopArts (on Tommy Lexen’s ‘Like Enemies of The State’, 2013)
In 2013, his production of ‘Like Enemies of the State’ received widespread acclaim at Stockholm's Fringe
Festival, a successful run at New Diorama and a live-streamed performance on International Human Rights
Day, seen by audiences in 24 countries. The show also headlined the Oxford Human Rights Festival at
Old Fire Station in 2014.
Website: www.tommylexen.com
Twitter: @tommylexen