Out of Joint, in association with the National Theatre, presents

The Permanent Way

by David Hare     2003

‘Why aren’t people angry? They were robbed. What was theirs was given away. What was foredoomed to fail failed. And they aren’t angry?’

In 1991, before an election they did not expect to win, the Conservative government made a fateful decision to privatise the railways. Now, twelve years later, we subsidise the industry more lavishly than ever before.
David Hare tells the remarkable story of a dream gone sour.

Funny, tragic, compelling – their voices become an extraordinary parable of British mismanagement, which raises questions about the recent history of the country.

After premiering at the Theatre Royal, York, on 13 November 2003, Out of Joint’s production of The Permanent Way toured the UK before opening at the National Theatre, London, in January 2004.

REVIEWS

‘Audiences have been stunned and moved to tears’
-The Observer

‘This is a drama that stirs indignation and pity in equal measure, political theatre that transcends the old conflicts between Right and Left to condemn the whole mindset and attitudes of those allegedly running our nation’s affairs. It is, by a mile, the most significant and revealing new play of the year. If you want to understand why Britain isn’t working, you need to see The Permanent Way’
-Daily Telegraph

‘If you seriously want simultaneously to be challenged stimulated, provoked and saddened, do not miss The Permanent Way’
-The Independent

‘Welcome to inflammatory theatre’
-Evening Standard

CAST & CREATIVES

Cast: Flaminia Cinque, Nigel Cooke, Matthew Dunster, Souad Faress, Sam Graham, Lloyd Hutchinson, Kika Markham, Bella Merlin and Ian Redford.

Director: Max Stafford-Clark
Designer: William Dudley
Lighting Designer: Johanna Town
Sound Designer: Paul Arditti

PERFORMANCES

13 – 15 November 2003
Theatre Royal, York

18 – 22 November 2003
Birmingham Repertory Theatre

25 – 29 November 2003
Northcott Theatre, Exeter

2 – 6 December 2003
Theatre Royal, Bath

10 – 13 December 2003
Live Theatre, Newcastle

11 – 15 May 2004
Oxford Playhouse

6 January – 1 May 2004
National Theatre, London