Maxine Peake will star in Robin/Red/Breast at Aviva Studioes in Manchester.
Premiering on the 17 May 2024 at Aviva Studios, Robin/Red/Breast is a contemporary take on John Bowen’s cult TV play Robin Redbreast, which is often cited as the precursor to The Wicker Man.
This chilling retelling of the folk-horror classic is co-created by Maxine Peake, Sarah Frankcom and Imogen Knight, in collaboration with Booker Prize-shortlisted writer Daisy Johnson (Punchdrunk’s Viola’s Room) and Gazelle Twin.
Robin/Red/Breast is a powerful piece of live performance that combines immersive storytelling and live music to tackle complex issues around fertility, violence and power. Starring Maxine Peake the production is brought to life with additional performances from Tyler Cameron and a 10-piece all-female brass band.
The show is presented by Maxine Peake, Sarah Frankcom and Imogen Knight – co-founders of new production company MAAT (Music, Art, Activism and Theatre). Robin/Red/Breast is their latest collaboration for Factory International following They (MIF23), The Nico Project (MIF19), The Skriker (MIF15) and The Masque of Anarchy (MIF13). Tickets are on sale now.
Maxine Peake, Sarah Frankcom and Imogen Knight said: “Ever since we encountered John Bowen’s original 1970 Play For Today Robin Redbreast we have wanted to reimagine it entirely through Norahs eyes for audiences now. By exploring alternative versions of her journey we hope to offer up new questions and provocations about female experience – making new myths and rituals and starting new conversations.”
In tandem with Robin/Red/Breast Factory International will publish a series of flash fiction stories by emerging writers from across the North of England responding to the themes of the TV play on their editorial platform Factory +. They include Porcelain Delaney, Alice Godliman, Beth Barker, Abby/Abbie Walker, Jack Coop, Anita Ezeh, Ethan O’Connor and Jane Harrison.
Programmed and operated by Factory International, the organisation who also deliver the world-famous Manchester International Festival (MIF), Aviva Studios hosts a year-round programme by leading artists from across the world, creating a global destination for arts, music and culture in the heart of Manchester. The venue’s development is led by Manchester City Council, with backing of £99.05m from HM Government and £7m National Lottery funding from Arts Council England.
A Factory International production, Robin/Red/Breast will run at Aviva Studios from 15 – 27 May.
