Most people will remember the popular 1989 movie, Dead Poets Society, starring Robin Williams as a teacher in an exclusive boys’ school, who inspires his students to think outside their normal boundaries. Screenwriter Tom Schulman won a well-deserved Academy Award for his original script, and the film was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor (Robin Williams).

When Blak Yak Theatre approached Mr Schulman with a request to mount a stage adaptation, he was flattered, gracious and happy to assist. His only request being that we donate all royalties to a September 11 disaster relief charity of his choice.

Unfortunately, Disney, who released the movie, have forbidden us to use the title. So….

The company who brought you Amadeus and The Last Supper, and the screenwriter who brought you the award winning film Dead Poets Society, bring you all the humour, poetry, beauty and heartbreak of the stage version; CARPE DIEM.

In an exclusive private boys’ school in 1950s America, six best friends live their lives by the schools’ motto: tradition, honour, discipline. Until one unique teacher (played in the film by Robin Williams) encourages them to look inside themselves for something more. Under his guidance, and through the words of a hundred dead poets, they form a new creed: truth, beauty, love.

But the world they live in is a confined one. As their newfound freedom grows, a shadow looms which will make them question everything they have been taught and everything they hold dear; their friendships, their futures, and even their lives…….

Starring Nick Christo, John Carlstein, Jemma Craig, Nick Donald, Troy Hall, Anthony Harwood, Adam McGurk, Mel Merchant, Scott Northover and Dean Schulze, and with the kind cooperation of Playlovers Inc, Blak Yak Theatre present eight performances of CARPE DIEM. We hope you can be our guests.

Playwright:
Tom Schulman

Director:
Rayann Condy

In seedy late 1950s Soho, Silver Johnny is the rising star of Ezra’s club. He is fast becoming a hot commodity and Ezra’s club turns into the battleground.

Carefully guarded by the club’s owner and his gang of henchmen and hangers-on, they struggle for the big time.

Loyalties are betrayed as deals get made – all with the most fatal consequences.

Mojo takes us on a brutally funny journey through violent backrooms of the fledgling British Rock’n’Roll business.

Eight performances at the atmospheric “nightclub-like” Mechanics Institute in Guildford, followed by an additional 4 performances in the very appropriate Brass Monkey Hotel (bar available!!!!!)

Playwright:
Jez Butterworth

Director:
Michael McAllan

On board the spaceship Red Dwarf, crewman Dave Lister is sentenced to suspended animation for jeopardising strict quarantine regulations by smuggling his pet cat on board. Three million years later, Dave is awakened to find that a radiation leak has killed the entire crew and that Red Dwarf never returned to Earth. Accompanied only by a vindictive sentient hologram, a humanoid cat descended and evolved from his original pet, and the ship’s sarcastic computer, Dave starts the long journey home….

An hilarious sci-fi comedy adapted from the cult TV series and directed by Tim Edwards (director of Picasso at the Lapin Agile), Red Dwarf stars Nick Donald as Dave Lister, Alex Jones as Arnold J. Rimmer, Chris Thomas as Cat, and Jarrod Buttery as Holly, with guest appearance by Rayann Condy as Kristine Kochanski. Also featuring Scott Northover, Sean Haining, Jemma Gurney and Julia Dalby.

Playwright:
Doug Naylor & Rob Grant

Director:
Tim Edwards

BLAK YAK THEATRE PRESENTS

by special arrangement with Grant Naylor Productions:

Red Dwarf

From the original scripts by Rob Grant & Doug Naylor

Adapted by Nick Donald & Tim Edwards

Directed by Tim Edwards, performed at KADS