Suranne Jones in Orlando at Royal Exchange

ACCLAIMED TV and stage actress Suranne Jones

From the novel by Virginia Woolf

Adaptation by Sarah Ruhl

Directed by Max Webster

Designed by Ti Green 

The Royal Exchange Theatre,

St Ann’s Square, Manchester

Thursday 20 February – Saturday 22 March 2014 

ACCLAIMED TV and stage actress Suranne Jones is to star in a stage version of Virginia Woolf’s time travelling, gender swapping comedy ORLANDO – the opening production of the new Spring – Summer 2014 Season at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre.  

She takes the title role in Sarah Ruhl’s stage adaptation of Woolf’s ground-breaking novel which runs at the Exchange from Thursday 20 February to Saturday 22 March.   Jopnes is to star in a stage version of Virginia Woolf’s time travelling, gender swapping comedy ORLANDO – the opening production of the new Spring – Summer 2014 Season at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. 

 

She takes the title role in Sarah Ruhl’s stage adaptation of Woolf’s ground-breaking novel which runs at the Exchange from Thursday 20 February to Saturday 22 March.    

Best known for playing Rachel Bailey in ITV police drama SCOTT AND BAILEY and her long-running role as Karen McDonald in CORONATION STREET, Suranne was last seen at the Royal Exchange in BLITHE SPIRIT in 2009.   

Woolf’s novel about sex, love, and history romps across continents and centuries, telling the story of young nobleman Orlando who woos and wins the hearts of grand and fallen women. Among his conquests are Russian royalty, Queen Elizabeth I and a Spanish dancer.   

Betrayed by his one true love and hounded out of England, he falls asleep for seven days, wakes up as a woman and has to find her way back home in a journey that takes almost four hundred years.   

The production is directed by Max Webster, (whose previous Royal Exchange credits include the hugely successful TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD earlier this year) and includes a strong emphasis on live music and visual elements. 

Talking about the production, he said:  'Orlando is one of the strangest and most beautiful books ever written and in this skilful and funny adaptation Virginia Woolf’s extraordinary story is brought to vibrant new life.'   

The production is designed by Ti Green, whose recent credits include HENRY V1 (The Globe) and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Royal and Derngate). 

The cast also includes Thomas Arnold, Molly Gromadzki, Richard Hope, Tunji Kasim and Hetti Price.   

The creative team is completed by Charles Balfour (lighting), Isobel Waller-Bridge (sound designer and composer), Liz Ranken (movement) and Vicki Amedume (aerial choreography).   

For further information please contact JOHN GOODFELLOW (Press & Communications Manager, Royal Exchange Theatre) on 0161 615 6783 / john.goodfellow@royalexchange.co.uk.   
 

Production photos for ORLANDO will be available for download from the Royal Exchange Theatre Online Press Office from Friday 21 February at www.royalexchange.co.uk/press

 

Link to online information http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/event.aspx?id=778