THE PIT BOOK
Welcome
to
the
PIT
Book
PIT is a multi-award winning theatre company. Formed in 2004 by David Byrne and Leah Milner, PIT is made up of multi-disciplined theatre makers who create theatrical and comic shows that have presented all over the UK. PIT’s first show won the Writers’ Guild and List Magazine Awards for Drama at the Edinburgh Festivals and since have presented work as part of the Arts Council showcase and become the resident ensemble at New Diorama Theatre, London. This short pack gives you a selection of reviews from our last two shows – A Stroke of Genius and The Dark Room – as well as some early feedback for our new show for Edinburgh 2012, Kubrick3. If you want any more information you can visit our website at www.pit-online.co.uk. Hope you enjoy reading about us,
David Byrne & Leah Milner PIT Founders
EDINBURGH 2013... “I have curated well over a hundred short plays for the Miniaturists and KUBRICK3 is an outstanding piece that provoked and amused and it was delivered with punch and panache by David Byrne’s actors. Highly imaginative ensemble work, and a great story to boot.”
Steve Sharkey, twenty minute extract, arcola theatre
“I think KUBRICK3 has potential to be one of the most interesting pieces I have ever seen. The idea of dual persona in a true story context is really strong I think. The guy you have found is brilliant, the life he led, the imagination he must have is just so open to genius theatrical potential.�
Rich Rusk, Associate Director, Gecko, fifteen minute section, junction, cambridge
THE NEW
UNIVERSAL
DIORAMA
THEATRE,
MACHINE APRIL
2012
A new musical about the life and death of Alan Turing. It’s 1927. Young Alan Turing is at school developing the work of Einstein and Newton while doing anything to get out of PE. It’s 1942. Newly engaged Alan Turing has done the impossible and broken the Nazi Naval Enigma Machine and secured the Battle of the Atlantic for the Allied Foreces. It’s 1954. After being arrested for homosexuality and chemically castrated, Alan Turing is found dead at his home next to a half-eaten apple laced with cyanide. This new musical charts Alan Turing’s time at the infamous Station X at Bletchley Park and tells the whole story of one of the most important men in modern British history by travelling back into his past and looking forward to the tragedy of his future.
“A-GRADE COMIC TIMING Fresh, frenetic & very funny” TIME
OUT
(CRITICS’
CHOICE)
HHHH “Between the energized performnces and Byrne’s brilliantly witty oneliners the audience can do little else but take pleasure” FOURTHWALL MAGAZINE
HHHH “A unique vision of how theatre can not only dazzle us but also stretches our theatregoing experience into another dimension.” WHAT CULTURE
HHHHH
“A superb achievement of acting, execution, set design and direction” ONE
STOP
“The moving
ARTS
Dark Room is and funny and entertaining”
BRITISH
THEATRE
fast very
GUIDE
“A clever and witty modernday approach to celebrating the work of Brecht.” A
YOUNGER
THEATRE
“The cast of six are a strong ensemble, who maintain a quick pace and upbeat humour - the perfect show for attentionlacking teens!” THE
DAILY
TELEGRAPH
HHHHH
™It's taken me a while to find a show worthy of my top accolade - Innovative, thought-provoking and full of low-key humour, A Stroke Of Genius is what the Fringe is all about.∫ FRINGE-GURU
HHHH A Stroke of Genius is the milk-out-your-nose funny. Author/director David Byrne and his company have created an eccentric and witty world. A Stroke of Genius should be a definite on the Fringe theatregoer's schedule.∫ WHATSONSTAGE
HHHH
A joy to watch due to some beautifully crafted characters who are perfectly written, and even better performed - A Stroke Of Genius' is one of those rare gems that creep on to the Fringe every year. Missing it would be very, very foolish.∫ HAIR LINE MAGAZINE
HHHHH
™A masterstroke of a production! Intelligent, articulate & humorous. Stimulates the mind while deeply entertaining you: this is a must-see!∫ SCOTSGAY MAGAZINE
HHHH
™ I can guarantee you've never seen anything quite like this play. Deliciously sadistic show with slick production and a strong cast. Leah Milner is pitchperfect in the lead role. An original and imaginative treat.∫ THREE WEEKS
PICK OF THE FRINGE! The Guardian, List Magazine, Fringe Guru, The Scotsman, Fest Magazine
New Diorama Theatre 15 - 16 Triton Street Regent’s Place London NW1 3BF
All photographs in this booklet are by Richard Davenport
www.newdiorama.com