Ballad of the unbeatable hearts & Smiler

The Ballad of the unbeatable hearts & Smiler

XAVIERA HOLLANDER PRESENTS:

Richard Fry

BALLAD OF THE UNBEATABLE HEARTS
&
SMILER

At times hilarious, at times heartbreaking...

First show: BALLAD OF THE UNBEATABLE HEARTS

Introduction:

Richard Fry Heart v10 The Ballad of the Unbeatable Hearts is another of Richard Fry's breakneck full-force one man verse dramas all wrapped up in a big woolly jumper. This time he is talking about young gay suicide. This is a subject that is gathering increasing awareness specially in a country like Australia with gay people up to 14 more times likely to attempt suicide than the general population. Richard has performed the show in the UK and US where it was received brilliantly and in Adelaide it was a massive success as well.

Although the show deals with suicide and the difficulties faced growing up gay, it is not just a show aimed at a gay audience. The main focus is on the importance of life and how everybody should embrace it and strive to achieve their dreams. Audiences receive a motivational message about how to make the most of their 'journey to death'. It's an incredibly uplifting and funny piece of theatre but with a heartbreaking sting in its tail.

SHOWS
NETHERLANDS NOVEMBER 2012

Sunday November 25 at 8.00 p.m.
Galerie Pi – Oosterweg 18
Bergen NH
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Wednesday November 28 at 8.30 p.m.
Studio Burgwal - Burgwal 69
Haarlem
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Friday November 30 at 8.30 p.m.
Ostadetheater - Van Ostadestraat 233 d
Amsterdam
Bookings: www.ostadetheater.nl or call 020 6795096
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Price per ticket euro 22.50

For general information and booking contact Xaviera Hollander This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel. 00 31 20 6733934

Second Show: SMILER

Richard Fry v10 smiler A show written and performed by Richard Fry. "I'd do anything for you, Smiler," he looked me in the eye ... that's when he begged me to help him die. Smiler is another gripping tour-de-verse that sticks close to Richard Fry's trademark style which will have you laughing out loud one moment and holding back tears the next. Inspired by Fry's own friendship with a young man living with a head injury and paralyzed from the neck down, Smiler examines how we perceive disability.

Do we treat those with disabilities differently?
How would you cope if you became disabled yourself.?
What if you were responsible for causing permanent harm to somebody ?
What if your son or daughter brought home a girlfriend or boyfriend in a wheelchair?
Could you fall in love with someone less able yourself?

"Smiler" also deals with drink driving, assisted suicide and 1980 German soft rockers Nena

SHOWS

NETHERLANDS AMSTERDAM & DEN HAAG NOVEMBER 2012

Friday November 23 at 8.30 p.m.
Theater Regentenkamer
Cort Heyligersstraat 4 - Den Haag
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Saturday November 24 at 8.30 p.m.
Studio Burgwal
Burgwal 69 - Haarlem
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Sunday November 25 at 2 p.m.
Galerie Pi – Oosterweg 18 Bergen NH

Here a drink and a snack are included in the price
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Thursday November 29 at 8.30 p.m.
Apollo First theater
Apollolaan 123 - Amsterdam
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Saturday December 1 at 8.30 pm.
De Griffioen Theater
Uilenstede 106 Amsterdam
BOOKINGS www.griffioen.vu.nl or call 020 5985100
Price per ticket euro 19.50 Student price euro 16.00

ALL OTHER TICKETS ARE EURO 22.50 Except at de Griffioen theater

Xaviera gives you a choice of two different programs. A difficult decision to make, unless you come for both shows!

Call for reservations: Tel. 00 31 20 6733934 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PRESS REVIEWS

Reviews Ballad of the Unbeatable Hearts:

The show has been a big hit with UK and US audiences and critics

The Arts Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Telegraph said it was 'moving and heartfelt...recommended.'

And Paul Levy of Fringe Review said 'Richard Fry returns with a well-crafted, intense and beautiful piece of theatre. The Ballad of the Unbeatable Hearts is at once confronting, moving, heartbreakingly honest, and poignant; I was laughing one moment and moved to tears the next. Fry is not only a first rate raconteur but a performer of grace and clarity. Outstanding.'

'At times hilarious, at times heartbreaking... Fry receives a well-deserved standing ovation from a tearful audience, and, as I stepped out of that theatre into the dreary Scottish weather, I was inspired.' (Three Weeks 15/08/11)

'Fry is magnificent at all times. The narration is captivating, perfectly pitched and beautifully delivered. His magnetism is palpable and enthralls the audience, who are at various points moved to tears. The Ballad of the Unbeatable Hearts is a stunning piece of theatre. Highly recommended.' (Hairline 14/08/11)

'This is a play with the power to speak to anyone. Fry has re-imagined It's A Wonderful Life for a new generation, and in the process built a work which proves both vital and entertaining.' (Fringe Guru - 07/08/11)

Further information and reviews for all of Richard Fry's shows can be found on his website www.richardfry.org

Reviews Smiler:

"I cannot begin to convey the emotional power of " Smiler" , Like all exceptional art, you leave shedding a tear, not just for the story you've just heard, but for its greater exploration of humanity at large. That's why you must see it.

" Three weeks."

'Fry's performance is disarmingly honest and committed – Smiler was inspired by the actors real life friendship with a young man living with a head injury , paralyzed from the neck down after a drunken driver ran him over with his car. The truth of his feeling is palpable.'

Mark Shenton at the Sunday Express said : it was " The best show I've seen at the whole Edinburgh festival".

Read Dutch Review on handicapnieuws >>