[JUN
99] BELRADE THEATRE PRESS RELEASE
Junk1 - 5 JUNE
1999
Charles Stephens in association with Oxford Stage Company
Library Theatre, Manchester & Blackpool Grand Theatre present Junk.
An original novel by Melvin Burgess
Adapted for the stage by John Retallack
Directed by John Retallack
WINNER 1998 Barclays Theatre Award for Best Show for Young People
JUNK, one of the most controversial novels of recent years, now a highly acclaimed
stage play, comes to The Belgrade Theatre for 1 week only. The original book won The
Carnegie Award for fiction and The Guardian Fiction Prize in 1997.
NATALIE WRIGHT AND DAN ROSEWARNE IN
JUNK
The play is an uncompromising, roller coaster of an account of a group of young people
caught up in the world of drugs, prostitution and broken friendship. It doesn't preach a
message, it simply tells the story as it is, leaving the audience to make up it's own mind
about the perils involved. JUNK introduces the initial thrill and fun of the drug scene
and the despair and degradation that follow.
Set in the eighties, the show is peppered with fun and laughter, spiky haircuts, heavy
black eye liner, ripped t-shirts with added atmosphere from some of the best music of the
era including The Stranglers, The Cure and The Buzzcocks.
The director and adapter is John Retallack who was until November the Artistic Director
of Oxford Stage Company. The design is by Niki Turner, with lighting by Bruno Poet and
music selected and arranged by Kari James.
The show is suitable for adults and young people from 14 plus, containing explicit
language and simulated drug taking.
National Press Ouotes
"John Retallack gives this smack-head saga a terrific
spin with a superb backing track"
The Express
"John Retallack's courageous adaptation bites the
bullet ... it is tough, tender and never less than honest"
The Guardian
"The pace is fast the music loud, the fun fantastic
and the grimness dire and scary"
Mail on Sunday
"A genuine breakthrough for teenage theatre"
The Express
"The show is scrupulous about never glamorising the
rotten existence of the junkies. A truly cautionary tale"
The Independent
"Strongly acted, strongly told, trip to the
inferno"
The Times
"Retallack's adaptation has vivid immediacy"
Daily Telegraph
"Treats young people as rising adults not overgrown
toddlers"
The Guardian
"Potent theatre"
Mail on Sunday
"As a cautionary tale, Junk must be worth any amount
of official propaganda"
Sunday Telegraph
MORE INFORMATION: Cath Pitkethly 01203 846 703
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