Ellie Paskell – The Long Road competition
Posted by Guest Writer on Mon, 15 Mar 2010.
A powerful and gripping play about violence, the loss of a young life and the grief of a family hits Curve’s stage today (Friday, March 12).
Leicester Theatre Trust and the play’s director Adel Al-Salloum brings a talented cast to the city to showcase The Long Road – its first revival since its sell-out London premiere in 2008.
Speaking to the Jitty this week, Ellie Paskell, who’s starred in the Channel 4 programme Shameless, BBC One’s Waterloo Road and ITV’s The Bill, told us how everyone would enjoy this raw performance which is set in today’s world.
The Manchester born star said, “It’s not Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde its set in the here and now.”
An ordinary family, which has been torn apart by the random fatal stabbing of their youngest son try to find a way to carry on. In her efforts to confront their loss and find some understanding and hope, the boy’s mother comes face to face with her son’s killer.
Ellie added, “This is what you hear about in the news all the time. I heard somebody got stabbed in Leicester the other week in broad daylight. It’s happening all over and this play will have you gripped you’ve got to see it.”
The play evolved out of research with prisoners in collaboration with writer Shelagh Stephenson and The Forgiveness Project. The Forgivness Project works with victims and perpetrators of violent crime in an attempt to help foster restorative justice following violent acts and find alternatives to revenge.
Ellie’s character Emma is the murderer who comes face-to-face with the victim’s heartbroken family. She said, “It’s been such hard work but good hard work. I’ve had to get into the mind set of somebody who reacts so totally opposite to the way I’d react in those situations. I’ve had to work out what her logic is and then figure out how to respond to that myself.”
Ellie who started amateur dramatics from a young age went on to study at Guilford Drama School and has since had a string of stage and television performances.
She said, “I love both theatre and TV work and I’d like to think I can keep them both going. After this play I’m heading to Regent’s Park for The Crucible through April to June.”
To find out more about Ellie visit www.elliepaskell.com
The production runs from March 12 to 27. Tickets cost from £10-£22. For more information or to book tickets visit www.curveonline.co.uk or call 0116 2423595.
WIN! TICKETS TO SEE THE LONG ROAD
The Jitty has 3 pairs of tickets for the performance on Friday, March 26. To win simply answer this question:
What is the name of the character Ellie Paskell plays in The Long Road?
Email your answer, name, age, town/village and phone number to james.hunter@leics.gov.uk
Competition Term and Conditions
Closing Date: 20 March 2010
Terms and conditions: One entry per person. The tickets are non-transferable and there is no cash alternative.
Article submitted by Jemma