A unique collaboration between Fermynwoods Contemporary Art, Royal & Derngate Northampton, and Northampton Town Football Club (The Cobblers) brings an interactive, audio-visual performance The Twelfth Player to Sixfields Stadium. This world premiere production runs from 22 June to 12 July, with special previews on 17, 19 and 23 May and press performances on Wednesday 24 May.
The Twelfth Player was inspired by the most dramatic and euphoric season in the Cobblers’ long and colourful history. In the dark days of November 2015, the club was deep in trouble. Staff and players were not getting paid, and Administration was a very real possibility. But through the dedication of their extraordinary fans – the team’s twelfth player – they made an amazing recovery, welcoming a remarkable takeover, bouncing back into League One and winning the Club’s first League title for 29 years.
Lovers of the beautiful game will be guided around Sixfields football stadium, in groups of four, through instructions heard on their headphones, as they observe a unique site-specific performance, simultaneously taking place in the real world and on an iPod screen.
Viewing the passionate world of football through the eyes of three generations of a family of Northampton Town Football Club’s fans, audiences will experience the highs and lows of the past seventy years of the club’s history, travelling behind the scenes on a 40 minute walking tour around the Cobblers’ iconic Sixfields Stadium.
The Twelfth Player has been created by Susanne Thomas and Sophie Jump of Seven Sisters Group. The group focuses on communicating contemporary issues through new and idiosyncratic works performed in significant public spaces. Their highly acclaimed projects combine performance, installation, video and spoken word. Among the vanguard of site specific practitioners since the early ‘90s, Seven Sisters Group’s work has been presented in both outdoor and indoor sites in the UK and Europe, with venues ranging from galleries, libraries and railway stations to The Royal Opera House and the National Theatre.
During The Cobblers’ eventful past couple of years, Susanne and Sophie researched the club’s history and met many of those who have helped to define it. They have spoken with a wide range of people, from staff and fans, to players and the volunteer mascot Clarence, to draw out their individual experiences and gain a unique perspective on what matters to the Cobblers and their fans.
Guiding audiences seamlessly between characters inspired by real fans and placing them at the heart of the sporting action, the Seven Sisters Group will create a playful and uplifting performance for all the family, combining domestic drama with the drama of the game, and delving into the fantasy worlds with which young supporters entertain themselves during games, imagining gladiator battles and flying dragons.
Yasmin Canvin, Director of Fermynwoods Contemporary Art and James Dacre, Artistic Director of Royal & Derngate commented: “This collaboration between Royal & Derngate, Fermynwoods Contemporary Art and Northampton Town Football Club is a great example of diverse organisations across the town and county working together with world class artists to create an accessible and unique experience for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.”
Exploring passion, loyalty and sense of belonging of the world of football, The Twelfth Player runs at Sixfields Stadium from Thursday 22 June to Wednesday 12 July, with special previews on Wednesday 17, Friday 19 and Tuesday 23 May, and press previews on Wednesday 24 May. For a full schedule visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk or call Royal & Derngate Box Office on 01604 624811. Tickets are just £5* each. This production has received funding support from Arts Council England.
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* A charge of £3 applies for all transactions over £15. Does not apply to Groups, Friends or Disabled Patrons, and is per-transaction, not per-ticket.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
THE TWELFTH PLAYER (World Premiere)
Conceived by Susanne Thomas and Sophie Jump (Seven Sisters Group)
A co-production with Fermynwoods Contemporary Art and Seven Sisters Group
Venue: Sixfields Stadium, Northampton NN5 5QA
Previews: Wednesday 17, Friday 19 and Tuesday 23 May
Press previews: Wednesday 24 May 2pm – 6pm
Performance dates: Thursday 22 June to Wednesday 12 July 2017 (no performances on Mondays)
Times: Times vary - check with box office.
Tickets: £5
www.royalandderngate.co.uk
A charge of £3 applies for all transactions over £15. Does not apply to Groups, Friends or Disabled Patrons, and is per-transaction, not per-ticket.
Creative team:
Created by Susanne Thomas and Sophie Jump – Seven Sisters Group
Writer Richard Hurford
Composer Craig Vear
Filmmaker Davy McGuire
Cast:
Jessica Boyde Mother
David Charles Father
Adele Steward Daughter
Charlie Townsend Son
Stefania Pinato Coach
