THE Theatre Royal Plymouth?s People?s Company present a workshop production of Nick Discombe?s The Long Count from July 5 to July 7 in the Drum Theatre. Based on a true story, The Long Count ducks and weaves through three decades of hope and belief, and is a volatile story of brutality, pain and revelation. A deeply moving tale, The Long Count is the story of Timmy Courtney, born and raised in smalltown Devon. Timmy has spent his life trying to answer one question: was his father really Jack Dempsey, ?The Manassa Mauler?, one of the greatest heavyweights of all time? Timmy?s search for affection, friendship and a father takes him from a poverty stricken childhood in Devon, where he suffers both the continuous abuse of an incredulous community and the violent love of an alcoholic mother, to richer times in London, and a life changing meeting in New York. This is the second workshop production by the People?s Company, following on from the success of last year?s Dirty Water, also written by local playwright Nick Discombe. Born and raised in Crediton, Nick has written several drama productions for the Theatre Royal including the hugely successful Union Street. Nick?s most recent work includes Brunel?s Platform which formed part of Isambard Kingdom Brunel?s 200th birthday celebrations and saw theatre performances taking place at railway stations in the South West and Pen and Trough for the Northcott Theatre, Exeter. The People?s Company now has a membership of nearly 200 and is for anyone aged 18 and upwards who has a passion and desire to be in the theatre. The People?s Company runs regular weekly workshops in theatre, dance and singing and as a member you can participate in a variety of projects from one off workshops and master classes to street theatre pieces and performances in the Drum Theatre Box Office: (01752) 267222 or online at http://www.theatreroyal.com">www.theatreroyal.com
