The powerful debut play from Alexi Kaye Campbell, winner of an Olivier Award, the Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright, and the John Whiting Award for Best New Play

26 January – 25 March 2023

This prize-winning British play showcases the changing attitudes toward sexuality in the recent past. Switching in time between the repressive 1950s and the more liberated present poses questions about sexual liberation, homosexual relations, identity, fidelity, and honesty. In 1958 Philip is married to Sylvia but finds himself falling in love with her friend Oliver. Philip’s refusal to acknowledge his true nature is devasting both to himself and the people he loves. We follow the same characters in 2008 when Philip breaks up with Oliver because of Oliver’s addiction to anonymous sex. This forces Oliver to choose between monogamy and promiscuity. Through it all, Sylvia loves them both. The play is a powerful piece of theatre, moving easily from humor to dramatic intensity. It is also a call to have the courage to be who you are, regardless of sexual preference.

(Content & trigger warning: Sexual violence, explicit language, please note that there is smoking on stage)

Duration: 2h 45m, including an intermission of 20 minutes

 

CAST

OLIVER : Daniel Cane

SYLVIA : Lisa O’Connor

PHILIP : Mat Betteridge

THE MAN / PETER / THE DOCTOR : Matt Hastings

PRODUCTION

Direction/Music: Paul Glaser 

Set Design: Mathias Wardeck 

Costume Design: Patricia Royo 

Light Design: Heiko Böttner & Paul Glaser 

Lighting & Sound Technician: Heiko Böttner 

Stage Management and Props: Rebecca Delmas 

Set Design Assistance: René Ahnert 

Hair & Makeup: Eva Guerrero Rodriguéz 

London Casting: Freya Sundstrom 

REVIEWS

GANZ-HAMBURG.DE  “ein kraftvolles Drama – oder besser eine Tragikomödie, die sich von der Leichtigkeit und dem Humor einer Komödie bis hin zu höchster dramatischer und tragischer Intensität bewegt”

HAMBURGER ABENDBLATT  “„The Pride“ erzählt von Sexsucht und verdrängten Gefühlen. Die Sprache ist sehr direkt, das Premierenpublikum war begeistert.”

THEATERZEIT HAMBURG “differenziert und voller Einfühlungsvermögen”

QUEER.DE “ein kraftvolles Theaterstück, das leicht von Humor zu dramatischer Intensität übergeht”