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Avalanche: A Love Story

Starring Maxine Peake

— ,Barbican Theatre

Maxine Peake stars in one woman’s compelling story of hope and longing.

When a woman rekindles an early love in her late 30's her whole life changes. Deeply in love, and full of shared commitment, she and her new husband want a child together. So begins her courageous journey of medical processes and personal rituals; her raw emotions oscillate between high hopes and deep doubt.
 
Praised for her ‘capacity for emotional directness and a fierce, uncensored honesty’ (Guardian), Maxine Peake (Hamlet, Funny Cow, Happy Days) is a prolific theatre, television, film actor and playwright.

Inspired by Julia Leigh’s true story, this new play is a powerful, riveting and honest exploration of who we are and how we love, directed by Anne-Louise Sarks. 

Tagged with: Theatre & dance Life Rewired Fertility Fest

Duration: 1 hour 30 mins/no interval
Age guidance: 14+

Tue 7 May
Post-show talk with Maxine Peake and Director Anne-Louise Sarks. Facilitated by Sarah Hemming. 
Free to same-day ticket holders

Thu 9 May
Captioned performance

Fri 10 May
Audio-described performance
 

Produced by Barbican Theatre Productions and Fertility Fest

Co-produced by Audible and Sydney Theatre Company

With the support of the Australian High Commission in London

Creative team

  • Anne-Louise Sarks   Director
  • Julia Leigh   Writer
  • Marg Horwell   Design
  • Stefan Gregory   Composer and Sound Design
  • Lizzie Powell   Lighting Design
  • Kirsty Housley, Penny Black   Dramaturgy
  • Peter Rice   Sound Associate

Reviews

  • ‘Maxine Peake is captivating‘
    Stage
  • ‘A refreshing, frank and necessary portrayal of an unspoken struggle‘
    Upcoming
  • ‘A sobering, must-hear story for our times‘
    Evening Standard
  • ‘Peake captivates her audience, commanding the stage‘
    WhatsOnStage
  • ‘Deeply human, and devastatingly delivered‘
    Times
  • ‘Maxine Peake is magnificent‘
    Financial Times
  • ‘With searing intelligence and unflinching emotional clarity, Julia Leigh lays bare the exacting nature of desire. Avalanche is consummately ravishing‘
    Tracy K. Smith, US Poet Laureate on the memoir Avalanche
  • ‘Maxine Peake is mesmerising‘
    Stage (Happy Days at Royal Exchange, Manchester)
  • ‘Examines unspeakable things and, by speaking of them honestly and clearly, renders them quietly luminous and bright‘
    Gretchen Shirm, Sydney Morning Herald on the memoir Avalanche
  • ‘This is a fine performance that confirms Peake's capacity for emotional directness and a fierce, uncensored honesty‘
    Guardian (Hamlet at Royal Exchange, Manchester)
  • ‘Maxine Peake has star quality, no question‘
    Telegraph (Hamlet at Royal Exchange, Manchester)

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Barbican Theatre

Location
The Barbican Theatre is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.