Manchester Royal Exchange: 'Too Clever By Half'

TOLD BY AN IDIOT TEAM UP WITH ROYAL EXCHANGE FOR ANARCHIC NEW PRODUCTION OF RUSSIAN COMEDY

A Royal Exchange Production in association with Told by an Idiot:

TOO CLEVER BY HALF

by Alexandr Ostrovsky

Directed by Paul Hunter

Designed by Laura Hopkins

The Royal Exchange Theatre

St Ann’s Square, Manchester

Wednesday 10 July – Saturday 17 August

ANARCHIC larger-than-life version of Alexandr Ostrovsky’s 'TOO CLEVER BY HALF' bursts on to the stage of Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre from Wednesday 10 July to Saturday 17 August.

This new production of the prolific Russian playwright’s best-known comedy is presented by the Royal Exchange in association with the internationally acclaimed theatre company Told By An Idiot (* see Notes For Editors). It follows the overwhelming success of YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU (Royal Exchange, Christmas 2011).
Charming, ambitious, smooth-talking liar Gloumov is determined to climb to the top – and he doesn’t care how he does it, or who he steps on to get there. Backstabbing, greed, and some wonderfully odd characters combine with the Idiot’s anarchic energy to create a comedy that is seriously funny, surreal and physical. Made especially for the amazing Royal Exchange theatre space, it promises to be truly spectacular, and the perfect summer show for all the family.
Told by an Idiot director Paul Hunter takes the helm for this production. His previous work with the company includes YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU (Royal Exchange Theatre); AND THE HORSE YOU RODE IN ON (Drum Theatre Plymouth/Barbican/Brighton Festival); THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (Royal Shakespeare Company); THE DARK PHILOSOPHERS (National Theatre Wales); SIX SEEDS (National Theatre) and CASANOVA (Lyric Hammersmith/West Yorkshire Playhouse).

The cast includes Richard Braine, Hayley Carmichael, Penelope Dimond, Dyfan Dwfor, Calum Finlay, Lisa Hammond Nick Haverson, Debbie Korley, Nitin Kundra, Carla Mendonça and Dharmesh Patel.

The creative team is completed by Laura Hopkins (design), Philip Gladwell (lighting) and Adrienne Quartly (sound).