Back to Archive
A Clockwork Orange
Citizens Company
‘What’s it going to be then, eh?’ From the iconic novel by Anthony Burgess, made famous by the controversial Stanley Kubrick film, this hard-hitting and disconcerting stage play is a must-see experience.
In a world of high unemployment, state surveillance and fierce repression, the young get their kicks from random violence. Alex is with his gang of droogs in his favourite milkbar, hyping them up for their nightly orgy of opportunistic brutality. A new government is in power; determined once and for all to stamp out this cycle of aggression and with prisons overflowing, something has to be done to control the perpetrators.
But our charismatic delinquent narrator isn’t a straightforward psychopath. His quick wit is dangerously alluring and he has a penchant for classical music, especially Beethoven’s Ninth.
As we follow his rehabilitation by the state through extreme psychological conditioning we are left wondering if forced benevolence is in fact more evil than sin itself.
BY ANTHONY BURGESS
DIRECTED BY JEREMY RAISON
DESIGN BY JASON SOUTHGATE
SOUND & MUSIC BY GRAHAM SUTHERLAND
Main Theatre
User Rating ★★★★★
Rated: (5/5), based on 19 ratings
Preview 13.10.10 & 14.10.10
Audio Described 21.10.10
Signed 27.10.10
Captioned 28.10.10
Wheelchair Access
Guide Dogs welcome
Induction Loop
LISTEN
to an AUDIO TRAILER on AudioBoo
VIEW
Jason Southgate’s PRODUCTION DESIGN SKETCHES
PRODUCTION PHOTOS by Tim Morozzo and PUBLICITY PHOTOS by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
READ
Jeremy Raison’s DIRECTOR’S BLOG
Recommended for 15+
Schools
FREE pre-show workshops for secondary schools Wed 3 & Thu 4 November. Call Box Office to book.
Download A CLOCKWORK ORANGE Resource Pack.pdf
More info >
Photos by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
IETM
International Network of Contemporary Performing Arts
4-7 November
The Citizens is delighted to be part of this international showcase to over 600 delegates from across the world. An extensive programme of talks and performances over 4 days will embrace the entire city, its people and its culture. IETM is Europe’s most significant membership organisation for contemporary theatre, dance and performance.
PRESS
“a brilliant performance from lead actor Jay Taylor, whose Alex is a frightening force of destruction.”
OnStageScotland.com
“As manic adolescent Alex, Jay Taylor is thrillingly intense, his charismatic performance filled with a frightening eloquence that draws out the poetry of Burgess’s original text.”
What’s On Stage Scotland ★★★★
“Jason Southgate’s design is suitably dystopian, a cleverly constructed frame littered with dustbins and segregated with barbed wire, complimented by Graham Sutherland’s viciously urbanized soundtrack. Carter Ferguson’s choreographed violence is highly stylised, sparing the audience the gratuity which categorised the film without shying from the glamorised barbarism at the story’s core.
Fascinating and frightening, Raison’s production is the highlight of the Citizens season.”
What’s On Stage Scotland ★★★★
Comments
Michelle ★★★★★
5th November 2010
First visit to the Citizens and I was blown away by the production. Visually stunning, top class acting and having a front row seat just put the icing on the cake for me.......a must see....dare I say it...but much better than the movie!!!!
Lisa ★★★★★
5th November 2010
I watched this with my drama class on Thursday 4th Nov. I thought it was utterly amazing!!! I LOVED jay's performance as Alex, absolutely brilliant :D The set, costumes, lighting, ect were all really well put together and I loved the way they were used. I was gripped from the very beginning all the way till the end. I can't stress how much I loved A Clockwork Orange, I would highly recommend it. The best play I have ever seen!
Effy ★★★★★
4th November 2010
A Clockwork orange was thee best play i have ever seen! The movie and book are both my favourites ever and now this is my fave play too :D It was just so excellent and inspiring. The lead actor was absoloutly incredible <3 I think i'm coming to see it for a second time xD xoxox <3 xoxxo
Liz ★★★★★
3rd November 2010
A profound production with compelling acting performances, choreography, set design and sound and lighting effects that had me riveted for the entire evening. Superb casting! Thoroughly recommend and applaud it.
Richard ★★★★★
2nd November 2010
Simply superb! I was hooked from the beginning and enjoyed this production from start to finish. I highly recommend seeing this if you're lucky enough to get a chance. The lead role as Alex was portrayed excellently with great likeness to Malcolm McDowell from the movie. All the actors were great. I hope you're all recognised for this performance!
Liam Davies ★★★★★
1st November 2010
A fantastic production or Anthony Burgess' masterpiece. The script itself borrows the best from the original novel and Stanley Kubrick's controversial film, and manages to bring them into the 21st century in such a way that leaves the production with a harrowing, gritty realism. The performance of the entire cast - in particular Alex and the droogs - left Kubrick's actors seeming lethargic and disinterested in their roles by comparison.
Rebecca-Jane ★★★★★
30th October 2010
Amazing. My first visit to the citizens theatre and I was astounded. Seated in the front row I was blown away by Jay Taylor (Alex) who realy captured the essence of his character. Standing Innovation! <3 I would strongly urge you to go and see this play.
Thomas ★★★★★
30th October 2010
Just saw it last night - absolutely outstanding. I can not stress how much everyone needs to see this.
Heather Sinclair ★★★★★
29th October 2010
I am ashamed to say this was my first visit to the citizens and this play was simply stunning! As a complete piece it was perfect and I had a fantastic evening - worth braving the horrid weather.
Jason Golaup ★★★★★
29th October 2010
I saw this on Wednesdsay night and thought it was absolutely brilliant. The cast were all superb... an added touch of humour being the droog with the Scottish accent! The actor who played Alex done an excellent job - suppose it wouldn't be easy being compared to Malcolm McDowell. I'd highly recommend that everyone sees this - if you can get a ticket! Proper horrorshow... viddy well!
Charlotte Mitchell ★★★★★
28th October 2010
I was literally blown away by the performance on Tuesday, being a fan of the film and book I wasn't really sure what to expect but the play could not have been better! The choreography of the fights was excellent and imaginative and I think the leader actor deserves special praise for making completely his own a role so strongly associated with Malcolm McDowell. A very, very powerful show- SEE IT AT ALL COSTS!
shaun dunning ★★★★★
22nd October 2010
never mind the movie,this does the book proud,great set and acting by all,people HAVE to see this on the stage.well done cast,crew and droogs.
Joe ★★★★★
20th October 2010
Saw it on the weekend - a brilliant theatrical rendition of one of the most visceral and terrifying novels of the twentieth century. It's great - go and see it!
Robert Jenkins ★★★★★
19th October 2010
Saw this amazing production at the weekend & will be going back again next week with friends. Well done Jeremy Raison & all the cast & crew! Mr Raison why ARE you leaving? Your work at the citz has been a breath of fresh air. Do not miss this play. I agree with all the above comments - a must see.
David Gibson ★★★★★
18th October 2010
Saw this play on Saturday night, what a fantastic production and superb acting from a great cast. A must see!
Catherine Fraser ★★★★★
16th October 2010
I saw this last night (Friday)- absolutely brilliant show. Set, acting, lighting and sound SUPERB! Direction and choreography brilliant - obviously a lot of work put in. Why are you letting Jeremy Raison go? He is clearly very talented!
Colin Dalglish ★★★★★
15th October 2010
Excellent production, really can't recommend this highly enough. Thanks for a fantastic evening.
R ★★★★★
14th October 2010
The production of A Clockwork Orange at the Citizens was fantastic! Visually, staging, acting, costume and all technical aspects were great! I am a great lover of the Citizens Theatre and I am always impressed by the quality of work/productions they offer to audiences - another great success! Well Done to the and cast and crew of the production, I wish you the best of luck with your run.
Leave Your Comments
Chimene Samson ★★★★★
21st November 2010
Of all the plays I have seen this was definately the best one...ever! It has been 3 weeks and Jay's performance, the set, the plot and the music are still stuck in my mind. With all honesty this was breathtaking, a true piece if art! Very stylised and abstract. A must see.! Congratulations to the Citizens theatre for putting on such a wonderful production! :D