A stage adaptation of Tom Baker’s ‘The Boy Who Kicked Pigs’ is heading for a local theatre this autumn.
The play, adapted by theatre company Kill the Beast from the novel by the legendary Doctor Who actor, is to be produced by The Circle Players this October in Aldridge.
Formed in 1934, The Circle Players produces three shows a year, with play styles ranging from comedy to murder mysteries. The Boy Who Kicked Pigs will be staged from Wednesday 11th – Saturday 14th October at 7.30pm.
The play was originally staged in Salford in 2012, adapted from Tom Baker’s 1999 quirky tale of Robert Caligari, who takes his dislike of his sister’s piggy bank to strange and bizarre lengths. The adaptation uses caricatures, comedy and fantasy to create a show that will appeal to many theatre goers, and fans of The Goons, Little Britain, The League of Gentlemen, Inside No 9 and Terry Pratchett.
This production is directed by Taylor Johns, who at 23 is the society’s youngest director in its 89 year history. Taylor, who developed a passion for theatre over many years in Aldridge Youth Theatre, joined The Circle Players in 2018, and more recently took the role of Pike in its acclaimed production of Dad’s Army.
‘The Boy Who Kicked Pigs’ appealed to Taylor as a director: “This play encapsulates everything weird and wonderful about stagecraft: heightened physical characters, practical effects and not an ounce of subtlety to be found. The final blood-soaked days of Robert Caligari have brought so much joy to each and every rehearsal, with characters growing more and more eccentric as time goes on. Enjoy the glorious and horrific oddities that ensue!”
With a strong small cast playing multiple roles, plus music and creative staging, this is a chance to see a rarely produced new play by a well- established amateur company and support a local new director. The Circle Players will be using their regular venue, Aldridge Youth Theatre for all performances.
