Pilot Theatre in co-production with York Theatre Royal present Run, Rebel

Pilot Theatre in co-production with York Theatre Royal present

Run, Rebel

By Manjeet Mann

Directed by Tessa Walker

York Theatre Royal, 7-11 March

The Pilot Theatre tour production of  Manjeet Mann’s multi award-winning novel Run, Rebel comes to York Theatre Royal from 7-11 March in a co-production with Mercury Theatre Colchester, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Derby Theatre and York Theatre Royal.

Amber is trapped – by her family’s rules, by their expectations, by her own fears. But on the running track she is completely free. As her body speeds up, the world slows down. And the tangled, mixed up lines in her head get straighter. It’s time to start a revolution: for her mother, for her sister, for herself.

Directed by Tessa Walker, this celebrated novel is brought to thrilling theatrical life in a new adaptation by the author, as it tells the story of Amber, a young girl deftly defining her place in the world, as she navigates a difficult homelife and bullying at school with sanctuary coming through her one escape of running and running fast.

Combining physical theatre and mesmerising visuals, the show is made specifically for audiences of 11+ and will be performed by a multi-talented ensemble.  The cast includes Jessica Kaur (Amber), Pushpinder Chani (Harbans), Asha Kingsley (Surinder),  Simran Kular (Ruby/Beena),  Hannah Millward (Tara) and Kiran Raywilliams (David & Ensemble)

Following the success of acclaimed productions Noughts and Crosses, Crongton Knights and The Bone Sparrow,

Pilot Theatre once again has joined forces with Mercury Theatre, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Derby Theatre and York Theatre Royal who in 2018 formed a partnership to develop, produce and present theatre for younger audiences.

Tessa Walker said “It’s such a pleasure to be working with Manjeet on this adaptation of her beautiful, powerful, unique novel. When the two of us starting working on adapting it from the page to the stage a number of years ago we knew then it was Pilot who would be the very best company to collaborate with to make the piece come to life so to work now with them is genuinely a privilege.”

Esther Richardson (Artistic Director of Pilot Theatre) said “Run, Rebel is the fourth production in our acclaimed series of adaptations of the work of contemporary young adult authors. The project has sought to bring brand new stories to the stage for young adults and secondary school age children, introducing them to characters who are living and experiencing the world as they are too in the 2020s.

“The goal has been to inspire an expansion and diversification of the range of work that is made and programmed for this age group, including on the school curriculum: we’ve aimed to enable theatres and schools to offer to young people and their carers and educators, narratives that are fresher and may feel more immediately relevant and relatable to their lives, than might be said of existing set and “classic” texts.

“Run, Rebel proudly follows in the footsteps of Noughts and Crosses (now a set text), Crongton Knights and The Bone Sparrow. We are thrilled to be working with Manjeet Mann and Tessa Walker and our consortium partners - Belgrade Theatre, Colchester Mercury, Derby Theatre and York Theatre Royal - on this groundbreaking collection of work.”

York Theatre Royal, 7-11 March

Tues-Fri (except Thurs) 7pm

Wed, Thurs, Fri matinees 1pm

Sat matinee 2pm

Running time 2hrs 20mins including interval

For audiences 11+

Run Rebel contains depictions of violence (including domestic violence), alcoholism, bullying and discrimination. The production also includes references to ‘honour’ killings. Some strong language.

 Tickets 01904 623568 | yorktheatreroyal.co.uk