Out of Joint and Soho Theatre present
Dreams of Violence
by Stella Feehily 2009
‘Mum, I had a dream last night where I threw you down the stairs. It’s not right.’
For Hildy, political activism comes easier that dealing with the disorder of her family life: Her druggie son; her philandering husband; her father, misbehaving in a hugely expensive retirement home.
And then there’s her mother – a charismatic 60s pop star, who clings to her former beauty (and a bottle of vodka), and who sets up camp in Hildy’s spare room to belittle her from close range.
By day, Hildy leads the City’s cleaners in revolt against the bankers. But by night, she dreams unsettling acts of violence.
REVIEWS
“Stella Feehily’s ambitious new play examines the diseases of a city’s culture through the emotional unravelling of its inhabitants… Max Stafford-Clark draws a faultless performance from Catherine Russell as the fragile, ferocious Hildy”
-Time Out
“Feehily, who made a big splash back in 2003 with Duck, continues to build on that early promise with an evening that rarely leaves you more than a minute away from a cruel laugh or a stinging insight. She’s created a modern tragicomedy…Such a fine cast… Recommended”
-Daily Telegraph 
“A witty exploration of the dilemmas facing the militant working woman”
-The Guardian – CRITIC’S CHOICE
“Inventive and well acted… this is a play that refuses to be pinned down… constantly undercutting audience expectations”
-Metro
“A witty and compassionate play”
-Financial Times
“Smart, sharp and brightly written”
-Whatsonstage
CAST & CREATIVES
Cast: Jamie Baughan, Nigel Cooke, Giles Cooper, Thusitha Jayasundera, Ciaran McIntyre, Catherine Russell, Mossie Smith, Paula Wilcox.
Director: Max Stafford-Clark
Designer: Lucy Osborne
Lighting designer: Johanna Town
Sound designer: Paul Charlier
Musical director: Julian Littman
Associate director & Choreographer: Jessica Swale
PERFORMANCES
Soho Theatre
9 July – 8 August 2009
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
29 September – 3 October 2009
Nuffield Theatre, Southampton
6 – 10 October 2009
Northcott Theatre, Exeter
13 – 17 October 2009
Library Theatre, Manchester
20 – 24 October 2009
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
27 – 31 October 2009
Hayworth Theatre, Ipswich
3 – 4 November 2009
North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford
6 – 7 November 2009