THICK is a black comedy by Canadian writer Rick Bland. The show premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2003, sold-out a critically acclaimed run at the 2005 New York Fringe Festival where Rick won the Award for Outstanding Actor. In the autumn of 2005, THICK toured the UK.
Steven Brett, new artistic director of the Nightingale theatre in Brighton has invited the company to remount the show as part of his inaugural season to launch his tenure at the theatre.
THICK centres around Rudolph, a sweet-natured idiot savant, is blissfully unaware of the chaos he creates around him. Rudolph is different and doesn’t know it. Traveling to his born-again, non-alcoholic-gin-drinking mother’s funeral, he encounters his deceased, lawn-obsessed dad. Through Rudolph’s interaction with his parents, a shoe-shop assistant, a Satan-worshipping bag lady, Pope John Paul, and a popcorn seller, he and his sister unwittingly uncover the power and possibility of forgiveness.
The cast of three conjure up the 13 different characters in Rudolph’s bleak but beautiful life.
Rick Bland (Rudolph) Most recently, Rick appeared in Generous (Finborough Theatre, Time Out Critics Choice) and wrote and performed in the sketch show Man and Mouse as part of PBH's 2009 Free Fringe. Other credits include being a long time member of The Reduced Shakespeare Company, performing on tour and in the West End, originating the role of Jerry Springer in Jerry Springer, the Opera (BAC and Edinburgh 2002), Strike (Finborough Theatre/BAC Time Out Critics Choice Season), Angel (UK tour, The Mark Bruce Company) and Romeo Error (Collaboration with Darren Ellis, The Place). THICK has recently been adapted into a screenplay. |
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Jane Perry recently appeared in Generous (Finborough Theatre, Time Out Critics Choice) Other work includes Taboos (New End), Last Tuesday (Theatre 503), Twelfth Night (Southwark Playhouse) and 5 seasons at Canada's Shaw Festival. Jane’s television work includes Spooks, The X-Files and The Addams Family and the lead in the CBC film The Score.
Ross Mullan will soon be seen in Clash of the Titans. A veteran of theatre, he has recently been puppeteering a blue bear called Nev on the live show Smile (CBBC). Ross and Nev have since starred in 4 Seasons of Bear Behaving Badly (CBBC). Ross also has a recurring role as the number taker in Numberjacks (CBBC).
THICK is directed by Mark Bruce. His Choreographic work includes Crimes of Passion (Bern Ballet), Green Apples (Clore Studio, ROH), the UK tour of Sea Of Bones. In May of 2010, his latest work, Love and War premieres at the Tobacco Factory in Bristol where he is associate artist. His theatre choreographic/movement credits include Antony and Cleopatra, As You Like It, Way of the World, Peer Gynt, Fast Food and the up coming production of The Bacchae (Manchester Royal Exchange).
THICK is designed by Phil Eddolls who was co-designer of Improbable Theatre’s Hanging Man and was a recipient of TMA Award for Best Design. Other work with Improbable includes Shockheaded Peter, Sticky and Satyagraha. Recent work includes designing Alex - Live on Stage with Robert Bathurst (Arts Theatre, World Tour), The Coventry Mysteries and Gilgamesh (Belgrade Theatre, Coventry) and Angelmoth (Ballet Lorent, Sadler's Wells) |
Quotes from New York Fringe Festival 2005 and UK tour
“It is funny, sad, at times moving and beautifully crafted and acted - a gem of theatre”
Birmingham Evening Mail
“3 actors - 13 roles, all believable, some hysterically funny and a few moving to the point of tears”
The Stage
“Bland, Ross Mullan and Jane Perry make a fine comic team”
Four Stars - Time Out
“There may be only 3 actors but with material this good, they create an entire, heartbreaking world. Thick has better jokes than a year of network sitcoms”
The New York Sun
“Beneath a very simple veneer, the story is unexpectedly dark and very moving”
NY Theatre.com
“Engrossing, often funny tale of family dysfunction and dashed hopes. Superbly acted”.
New York Magazine Critics Choice
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