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The latest project from this year’s Hope Street Emerging Artists takes place later this month, a stage adaptation of the best-selling book, The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir Who Got Trapped In An Ikea Wardrobe.
The show is directed by Hope Street’s own Montserrat Gili, there will be two performances of the production on Friday and Saturday, 21 and 22 October, at the ev1 Studio within the Everyman Theatre on Hope Street.
The Emerging Artists Programme is now established and well respected within the industry as an experiential programme to create their own work alongside professional artists of international calibre.
The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir Who Got Trapped In An Ikea Wardrobe is the fourth show from the EAP2016 team.
The play is an adaptation of the internationally best-selling book by Romain Puértolas, which is due to be made into a Hollywood blockbuster film to be released next year.
The production is unique in that the EAP2016 creative team are collaborating with a group of refugees and asylum seekers to incorporate their real stories into the play. The themes and subjects covered in the show are compelling given the current global situation with the refugee crisis.
The original book follows the story of anti-hero Ajatashatru Oghash Rathod on his epic voyage of self-discovery from his village in Rajasthan, travelling across the world in many surprising and unexpected ways.
Hilarious and at times tragic, the story pokes fun at the absurdity of current migration laws while at the same time it highlights the very real and worsening plight of refugees and asylum seekers across the world.
Using different theatrical styles such as physical theatre, puppetry and storytelling, the company will showcase Ajatashatru Oghash Rathod’s extraordinary journey by also using real testimonies from United for Change members.
Director Montserrat Gili, said: “I discovered this little gem of a book a couple of years ago and always thought it would make a fun but challenging stage production, since our main character travels through so many locations and meets so many other different kinds of people throughout. I think it will challenge people to laugh at themselves, and it’s certainly challenging me and the team!
“The Hope Street Emerging Artists programme has provided the perfect platform to experiment with the fantastical story in the book, and to test if the humour translates into a live performance.”
The EAP2016 company offers a wealth of talent and experience, and consists of a director, movement director, musical director/composer, two designers/makers, 12 performers, producer, stage manager, and a production manager.
The EAP2016 programme is subsidised, enabling it to be free of charge to participants. Hope Street Limited is dedicated to the development of artists, artforms and arts in the community.
The EAP2016 group ranges in age from 19 to 56 years of age and hail from Liverpool, Wirral, St Helens and Lancashire. Reinforcing their international reputation, EAP2016 also includes Liverpool-based artists who originate from Italy, Mexico and Spain, as well as one Finish artist.
Website: www.hope-street.org / www.fakir.eventbrite.co.uk
Facebook: /hopestreetltd
Twitter: @hopestltd
PERFORMANCE DETAILS:
Hope Street Limited Emerging Artists present
THE EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF THE FAKIR WHO GOT TRAPPED IN AN IKEA WARDROBE
Friday 21 October
Saturday 22 October
Time: 7.45pm
ev1 Studio,
Everyman Theatre,
Hope Street,
Liverpool
L1 9BH
Tickets: £5 (plus booking fee)
Tickets can be booked online at www.fakir.eventbrite.co.uk
Please Note: Tickets cannot be purchased from the Everyman Theatre