"There is a crack in history one inch wide. We fought for it and we must use it."

FANSHEN

By David Hare

a theatredelicatessen production

With support from The Property Merchant Group

1^st July – 2^nd August 2008

295 Regent Street

Directed by Roland Smith
Designed by Chris Gylee

Every revolution creates new words. In the village of Long Bow, that word is Fanshen. As the shells of the retreating army fall in the distant hills, Long Bow finds itself at heart of China Year Zero.

Now the patient daily work of remaking people must begin.

Against the backdrop of the Olympics, the struggle for Tibetan independence and the rise of the world's second superpower, theatredelicatessen invite the audience to enter into the fragmented society of pre-revolutionary China.

With wit and insight, David Hare clinically depicts the labour, struggle and fight of a society on the cusp of revolution. As the ideals of equality and freedom collapse under the weight of corruption and vengeance, Fanshen reveals the dark heart that lies beneath the utopian dream.

Fanshen is a forgotten classic from the pre-eminent British Playwright of our generation. First performed in 1976, the play examines what it means and takes to create a just system where freedom is at the fore Fanshen continues to be a relevant play that contrives not to make judgements, but to invite the audience to be part of a changeable world.

Following their sell-out run of A Midsummer Night's Dream, theatredelicatessen continues its residence of 295 Regent Street. Leave behind the high street shops and open plan offices of London, and enter a crumbling space at the end of its existence, ready for a new beginning.

Press Night Tuesday 8 July 2008, 7.30pm
Contact jessica

@theatre

.

delicatessen.co.uk or 07718 923 682
for press enquiries & press night tickets



"A welcome debut from a promising company" Time Out ( for A Midsummer Night's Dream )

"...the interaction with the audience brings us closer to the play's examination of theatricality" thelondonpaper ( for A Midsummer Night's Dream )


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Notes to Editors:

theatredelicatessen is a collective of young theatre artists committed to exploring text based work in new innovative spaces.

Director Roland Smith was awarded the RSC 'Buzz Goodbody' Award for his production of Absence of War by David Hare.

The residency of theatredelicatessen at 295 Regent Street is as result of the support by The Property Merchant Group, 295 Regent Street — an innovative partnership between the business and cultural sectors.

295 Regent Street is to be redeveloped as part of the £200 million Cavendish Gate project which will comprise a major office building, retail units and high quality apartments, scheduled for completion in 2011.

For further information:

Contact Frances Loy, Artistic Director, on 07941 941 890, or at
frances@theatre.delicatessen.co.uk