Breaking News Productions presents
Breaking News
by Pete Talman
directed by Andy Mcleod
HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO SAVE THE PLANET?
This is the question asked in the brand new play, Breaking News, receiving its world premiere at Clapham Fringe. There is no bigger issue, no greater challenge to the world, and no more desperate need for action globally than the current climate emergency. This is the issue at the heart of Breaking News. And yet, when you sit in the audience and begin watching the play you may wonder what this personable young couple and their fractious relationship have to do with climate change. Writer Pete Talman says, “When I began work on the play, I set out to write a two hander. I’m a big fan of Duncan Macmillan and I wanted to emulate his blend of humour and gravitas, so my intention was to create a relatable couple who through their wit, their disagreements and their tenderness are very recognisable. And as the relationship between Ben and Amy developed so too did the subject matter of many of their arguments. As the play itself progressed the issue of climate change demanded more and more attention. It was as if climate change was insisting on increasing prominence in the dramatic action.” Pete adds, “This is after all a piece of theatre not a lecture. I want the audience fully engaged in these two characters and, if I am successful, the impact of the climate change issue will be even greater.”
What happens in Breaking News?
AMY and BEN decide to live together. They embark on a serious relationship. But with their strong-minded views on the world there are inevitable disagreements. Can they survive as a couple? They argue, they fight, they joke and fundamentally they love…well, they love an argument. AMY and BEN. BEN and AMY. It seems they’ll be okay. Then AMY drops a bombshell…
Why should you go to see Breaking News?
Any play is going to focus on issues which may or may not concern you. This play focuses on an issue that concerns everyone on the planet! Essentially, that focus is very human and touches all of us. This play is funny, brave and relatable. It’s tough, it’s tender, it’s intimate and it poignantly demonstrates how precious life on the planet really is.
Pete Talman Writer
Pete writes regularly for the Salisbury Fringe, he has had work performed by Optik Theatre Company and the Canal Cafe Theatre’s News Revue. He has written for Radio 4’s Newsjack. In June 2019 Pete had his full-length play, I Know My Husband Loves Me, performed at the Union Theatre, Southwark for a week-long run receiving the following review:
**** “A fascinating play with plenty of food for thought” London Theatre 1
Winner of the Directors Cut Make the Cut 2016
Andy McLeod - Director
A director actor with a background in devised theatre. Andy's debut short film STRANGE WATERS is currently in post production.
Ellie Madden - Amy
Ellie is currently in the R&D stages of a new play written by Simon Vickery due to be staged next year.
Rowland Stirling - Ben
This is the question asked in the brand new play, Breaking News, receiving its world premiere at Clapham Fringe. There is no bigger issue, no greater challenge to the world, and no more desperate need for action globally than the current climate emergency. This is the issue at the heart of Breaking News. And yet, when you sit in the audience and begin watching the play you may wonder what this personable young couple and their fractious relationship have to do with climate change. Writer Pete Talman says, “When I began work on the play, I set out to write a two hander. I’m a big fan of Duncan Macmillan and I wanted to emulate his blend of humour and gravitas, so my intention was to create a relatable couple who through their wit, their disagreements and their tenderness are very recognisable. And as the relationship between Ben and Amy developed so too did the subject matter of many of their arguments. As the play itself progressed the issue of climate change demanded more and more attention. It was as if climate change was insisting on increasing prominence in the dramatic action.” Pete adds, “This is after all a piece of theatre not a lecture. I want the audience fully engaged in these two characters and, if I am successful, the impact of the climate change issue will be even greater.”
What happens in Breaking News?
AMY and BEN decide to live together. They embark on a serious relationship. But with their strong-minded views on the world there are inevitable disagreements. Can they survive as a couple? They argue, they fight, they joke and fundamentally they love…well, they love an argument. AMY and BEN. BEN and AMY. It seems they’ll be okay. Then AMY drops a bombshell…
Why should you go to see Breaking News?
Any play is going to focus on issues which may or may not concern you. This play focuses on an issue that concerns everyone on the planet! Essentially, that focus is very human and touches all of us. This play is funny, brave and relatable. It’s tough, it’s tender, it’s intimate and it poignantly demonstrates how precious life on the planet really is.
Pete Talman Writer
Pete writes regularly for the Salisbury Fringe, he has had work performed by Optik Theatre Company and the Canal Cafe Theatre’s News Revue. He has written for Radio 4’s Newsjack. In June 2019 Pete had his full-length play, I Know My Husband Loves Me, performed at the Union Theatre, Southwark for a week-long run receiving the following review:
**** “A fascinating play with plenty of food for thought” London Theatre 1
Winner of the Directors Cut Make the Cut 2016
Andy McLeod - Director
A director actor with a background in devised theatre. Andy's debut short film STRANGE WATERS is currently in post production.
Ellie Madden - Amy
Ellie is currently in the R&D stages of a new play written by Simon Vickery due to be staged next year.
Rowland Stirling - Ben