AuthorHoward Barker
Howard Barker
Howard Barker's first play was performed at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in 1970. Subsequently, his works were played by the Royal Court, Royal Shakespeare Company, The Open Space Theatre, Sheffield Crucible and the Almeida. He is currently Artistic Director of The Wrestling School, a company established to disseminate his works and develop his theory of production. His work is played extensively in Europe, in translation, in The United States, and in Australia . He writes regularly for radio, both in England and Europe . He is the author of plays for marionettes and has written three librettos for opera. Howard Barker is the author of two works of theory, and five volumes of poetry. He is also a painter. His work is held in national collections in England (V&A, London) and Europe.
Play13 Objects
The 13 playlets that form the complete 13 Objects take a variety of forms; monologues, duologues and scenes with 3 or 4 characters interacting. They also cover a variety of themes and issues; insecurity, grief, beauty, love, loss, faith, sex, poetry, art, perception - pretty much all of life's rich tapestry is here. Above and beyond the thematic link that Barker attempts to make, [that we invest objects with a worth that is unique to the individual and this reflects or defines our connections with the wider world through the prism of the objects], is the theatricality and the rich, poetic language Barker employs. Shakespeare it ain't, but it is a language full of ideas, rhythms and cadences that are just as demanding and just as rewarding.
The Bench Production
This play will be staged at The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre (formerly Havant Arts Centre), East Street Havant - Bench Theatre's home since 1977.
Cast
| A Lonely Spade | Officer | Neil Kendall |
| First Prisoner | Julie Wood | |
| Second Prisoner | Claire Lyne | |
| Cruel Cup Kind Saucer | Woman | Alice Corrigan |
| Waiter | James Hall | |
| Tin | Soldier | Simon Walton |
| Old woman | Sharman Callam | |
| Man | Paul Millington | |
| Second Man | Neil Kendall | |
| Old Man | Terry Smyth | |
| Navy Blue | Man | Thomas Hall |
| Woman | Claire Lyne | |
| The Talk of a Toy | Queen | Julie Wood |
| Attendants | Alice Corrigan | |
| Robin Hall | ||
| Kathryn Kendall | ||
| Simon Walton | ||
| Cracked Lens | Youth | James Hall |
| Girl | Helen Young | |
| Not to Escape Now | Man | Paul Millington |
| Woman | Robin Hall | |
| Youth | Neil Kendall | |
| The Investor's Chronicle | Man | Terry Smyth |
| Poet Ash | First | Claire Lyne |
| Second | Julie Wood | |
| Third | Paul Millington | |
| Blind Prejudice | Optician | Kathryn Kendall |
| Old Woman | Alice Corrigan | |
| South of That Place Near | Woman | Helen Young |
| The Hermit's War with God | Stilpo | Simon Walton |
| First Poor | Sharman Callam | |
| Second Poor | James Hall | |
| Pale Girl | Robin Hall | |
| Listen. I'll Beat You | Drummer | Thomas Hall |
| Woman | Kathryn Kendall |
Crew
| Director | Damon Wakelin |
| Producer | Jaspar Utley |