Hospitals and student bedrooms would be among the venues used for productions while the ADC Theatre undergoes refurbishment.
The programme for the term, which is expected to be distributed to student pigeonholes later this week, includes performances from percussive theatre troupe ‘Stomp’, which will be staged in random student bedrooms in the last week of May. Student actors have denied accusations that their ‘tour’ proposals are inconsiderate.
Other ‘highlights’ of the term card include a production made up of 30-second segments from a variety of popular musicals, to be staged in Life, and, controversially, a comedy ‘smoker’, to be held in the respiratory disease ward of Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
In response to suggestions that some of the venue choices were ill-considered, CUADC President Tara Lamp defended the schedule, pointing out that emphysema patients ‘need cheering up anyway’.
“Going on tour also gives us the chance to stage some performances which are perfectly designed for the venues we’ll be using. We bet everyone will love West Cambridge Site Story, while a performance of A View from the Bridge staged on an actual bridge will be just unmissable.”
The ‘tour’ will also feature a variety of collaborative events. CUCA will be teaming up with student actors for a sketch show, The Man Presents: More Men, while King’s Parade’s singing bin man has written an original musical where he sings Mr. Tambourine Manover and over again for ten hours.
While the term card has received criticism from some quarters, Steven Parsley, a student theatre reviewer for The Tab, expressed his approval at the plans.
“I’d struggle to think of anything quite as thrilling as a break from revision than having a load of strangers break into my room in the middle of the night and slap me until I wake up and watch them perform their modern take on King Lear.”
When approached for comment, University Vice-Chancellor Stephen Toope stated that he had no issue with the performance schedule provided at least one play written by a Canadian was included.