Tiffany’s production highlights the play’s poetic lyricism in several ways: Scullery does a pas de deux with a shopping trolley to the sounds of Swan Lake, and the whole cast also engage in a climactic ritual that hints at the human potential for happiness.

There are striking performances by Michelle Fairley, sadly hilarious in a scene where she vainly seeks to seduce a drunken soldier, and from Mark Hadfield and June Watson as solitary oldsters and from Shane Zaza and Faye Marsay as the death-haunted lovers. RAZ - Edinburgh Festival (Winner of Fringe First Award 2015), 2016 Trafalgar Studios, London & Nationwide tour. Directed by Anthony Banks. I’d never been to a play where a whole record was played’ … Dan Parr, Michelle Fairley and Shane Zaza, who star in the new production. Photograph: Sarah Weal Despite the Sloane Square location, Tiffany wants his production to feel “very northern”, honouring the impact the play made on him and fellow northerners. “People talk about this play – certainly a lot of actors and directors who are from the north – as a fundamental moment in their journey into theatre,” he says. “It’s talked of with such fondness, such pride.”This is an exciting and vibrant group of actors who consistently produce a high standard with both classic and contemporary works. Their next production in September is an original play by Angela Pressland, A Higher Education, winner of a national playwriting competition specially commissioned for this slot, and it will be eagerly awaited. Find sources: "Road"play– news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( March 2010) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Road has enabled director Nathan Chapman to showcase the wide variety and wealth of talent this company possesses and the cast of over 20 were outstanding. Demonstrating some very sharp characterisation, many as monologues interspersed with humorous mini sketches. Pre show and interval activity made full use of this large cast. I'v been putting off reading this for ages, it's been almost 2 years since I saw it. I think it's because I knew I'd have a really complicated relationship with it - and surprise surprise, I do! Those people are poorer now,” says Tiffany, “and austerity has really started to dissolve the structure of civic life as we know it.” One of the most powerful things about Road, says Dudgeon, is that “it shows ordinary, struggling working-class characters and makes them into heroes”. Now, even more so than when the play was written, it’s rare to see honest yet positive portrayals of working-class life.This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Some of the events in 'Road' can leave the play open to accusations that it is depressing - certainly we see on various occasions humanity at its lowest points. Indeed some characters express a distinctly pessimistic outlook, perhaps most succinctly put when Scullery says "And just remember folks, if God did make them little green apples, he also made snot". But for me the lingering message is one of optimism. As the four youngsters, at the play's climax, purge themselves of their fears concerns and disappointments, they provide for us a glimpse of hope, their message of escape unequivocal. The inequality and hopelessness of then is at least as prevalent now,” Dudgeon continues. “And I think the strength and humour of the characters is as beautiful and funny and moving now as it was then.”