The Divided Laing

Cabinet of Cynics and Stepping Out Theatre presents

The Divided Laing

by Patrick Marmion

Nov 18 2015 – Dec 12 2015

‘Some people are lucky: they get through life thinking the ground beneath them is solid…’

London, 1970. Experimental psychiatrist R.D. Laing is facing eviction from his pioneering asylum in the East End’s Kingsley Hall. Local residents are up in arms – and to make matters worse, Ronnie’s revolutionary colleague David Cooper is flipping out on the roof…

With his personal life going down the pan and his mental state heading the same way, Ronnie takes an acid trip to the future. His mission is to save his therapeutic collective The Philadelphia Association, and secure his professional legacy. Will it be a one-way ticket to madness – or can breakdown sometimes mean breakthrough?

Alan Cox plays Ronnie Laing in this provocative, freewheeling comedy by the acclaimed playwright and journalist Patrick Marmion.

Michael Kingsbury (In Lambeth, Ying Tong) directs the world premiere production on the 50th anniversary of The Philadelphia Association and of Laing’s experimental asylum at Kingsley Hall in Bromley-by-Bow.

Directed by
Michael Kingsbury
Designer
Nicolai Hart-Hansen
Photography
Adam Bennett
Cast
  • Alan Cox
  • Amiera Darwish
  • Laura-Kate Gordon
  • Kevin McMonagle
  • Oscar Pearce
  • James Russell

World premiere


Tangled Up in Laing: Reading R. D. Laing

Arcola Bar, Sat 21 November, 12.30pm-2pm. FREE
Presented by ANTIUNIVERSITY NOW!, and hosted by Adrian Chapman, this discussion-based event introduces Laing, the radical Scottish psychiatrist, author and sixties counter-cultural figure (who played a part in the original anti-university of London). We’ll focus especially on Laing’s conception of alienation. Attention will be paid, too, to his influence and the ways in which he might be relevant today.


Patrick Marmion‘s previous plays include The Institute (Etcetera), Pieta – After Chekhov (Finborough & Print Room) and Terms & Conditions(White Bear). Screenplays include Mushroom Soup (Sam Mendes/Renaissance Films), Kids FM (Working Title Television), Maid Marion(Channel Four Films), The Dead Guy and Archie Tanner & The Dodo (Children’s Film & Television Foundation).Michael Kingsbury’s directing credits includes In Lambeth by the Olivier Award-winning Jack Shepherd at the Southwark Playhouse; the critically-acclaimed Ying Tong by Roy Smiles, which opened at the West Yorkshire Playhouse before transferring to the Ambassadors; This Other Eden by Jonathon Moore at the Soho Theatre (runner up in the Verity Bargate Awards); The Caretaker and Bloody Poetry.

 

 

Ticket Information and Times

Monday – Saturday evenings at 7:30pm
£19 / £15 concessions

Saturday matinees at 3:00pm
£17 / £14 concessions

Opening performances (18, 19 and 21 November) – All tickets £12

Pay What You Can Tuesdays (tickets in person from 6pm – limited and subject to availability)
Tickets are £10 or less with Arcola Passport

Running time to be confirmed with first preview.
Recommended for ages 15+
In Studio 1, seating is allocated.

Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL | Directions
From International Times 1969

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