Theatre Ad Infinitum’s multi award-winning show Ballad of the Burning Star comes to The Lowry. Following the sell-out success of its premiere at Edinburgh Fringe 2013, Theatre Ad Infinitum brings its new award-winning musical play Ballad of the Burning Star to The Lowry from Tue 11 – Wed 12 February 2014.
Ballad of The Burning Star is the story of one Jewish boy’s struggle to come to terms with the conflict raging in his homeland. This is a daring, satirical and provocative new show from the company that brought you the acclaimed Translunar Paradise, which began life at The Lowry Studio as a part of The Lowry’s Developed With program in 2011. Now Associate Artists, Theatre Ad Infinitum have moved from The Studio to The Quays Theatre with a show that is as explosive as it is timely.
The full force of this political story unfolds through a noisy concoction of cabaret, drag, physical storytelling, original songs, live music and new writing. Co-Artistic Director, Israeli-born Nir Paldi, is writer, director and co-performer of the company’s Edinburgh hit, which is inspired by his own experiences growing up in Israel.
Nir stars in the show as its MC, the high-heeled and hairy-chested drag-queen ‘STAR’, supported by a glittering troupe: her secret weapon, THE STARLETS. Together, under a shining Star of David mirror ball, they examine an Israeli man’s childhood in a Jewish settlement built on occupied Palestinian territory, the perpetual war that tore his family apart, and the traumatic events of his military service that made him ask: “Am I a victim or a persecutor?”
“I wanted to explore the identity crisis facing my homeland, Israel,” says Nir Paldi. “It was a big risk for me, highlighting and publicly airing the bare facts of the conflicts and contradictions of today’s Israel. This is a dark subject matter, but we have approached it playfully. Elements of cabaret, sanguine humour, and drag act as a colourful counter-balance to the tragic elements of our story. And it’s worked; Ballad provoked passionate debate and reactions – from anger and sadness to excitement and astonishment – at Edinburgh. We’re now really looking forward to coming to the Lowry again. We can’t wait to find out what new audiences will make of it!”
Ballad of The Burning Star
Tue 11 & Wed 12 February
Quays Theatre
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays M50 3AZ
www.thelowry.com
