‘Love Labour Lost’ is a story about a young circus performer Joe Bloodworth, who embarks on a journey to learn all he can about becoming a Clown.

He leaves his Manchester home for the first time and heads to France, in order to study for three years. He makes a solemn promise to his mother that he will avoid all temptation, be it gluttony, greed or sins of the flesh. Impossible – he’s a Clown, innocent and fragile. Therefore be prepared to laugh, shout, empathise and possibly even cry as we see this Clown spiral out of control. Does our young fool come undone by the doing of his wooing, or does this Jack get his Jill? Recommended for age 15+, this production will be staged on Wednesday 23^rd September at 8pm. Tickets are £10 each.

Thursday 24^th September will see the staging of ‘The Dubliners Dilemma & The Life Of Joyce’. James Joyce is regarded as one of the world’s greatest writers and most recognisable literary figures. So how did this moody young student emerge from the obscurity of his native city to achieve international renown? It almost never happened.  Described as ‘mesmerising’, ‘compelling’ and ‘ingenious’, Declan Gorman’s acclaimed solo performance brings the stories and controversies of Joyce’s remarkable first book ‘Dubliners’ to vivid life. It is 1914. London publisher Grant Richards has determined to re-read Joyce’s manuscript, eight years after rejecting it over fears it might breach British and Irish obscenity laws. Fourteen other publishers have turned him down. Should Richards be the one to risk everything now, second time around, and launch this volatile but brilliant genius on a world about to descend into the madness of war? Tickets are £12.50 and £10.50.

Following previous sell-out performances here at The Market Place, Bruiser Theatre Company returns to Armagh with ‘Playhouse Creatures’ – a riotous and moving account of the precarious lives of the first Restoration actresses. These gutsy flesh and blood heroines grapple for recognition and a new social role for women, whilst falling victim to the attitudes and consequences of the age. Amidst the bear pits of the theatres, they struggle to push themselves to the forefront, fighting against the prejudice of the industry, the jeers of the public and the bitter rivalries they share. Thought-provoking and wickedly funny, ‘Playhouse Creatures’ is an unvarnished account of the extreme lengths these ‘Creatures’ will go to for success in this dark new world. ‘Playhouse Creatures’ will be staged on Wednesday 30^th September at 8pm. Tickets are priced £12.50 and £10.50 (concession).

Following previous sell-out performances C21 are delighted to announce their next production of one of Shakespeare’s classic plays, ‘The Merchant of Venice’, in which good triumphs over evil. The vengeful Jewish money-lender, Shylock, tries to extract ‘a pound of flesh’ from his Christian opposite, Antonio, while the clever Portia uses her unique skills as a lawyer to win her marriage partner, Bassanio. Using their winning edited and fast-moving style, this strong company of six actors, directed by Art Webb, have transposed the setting to 1920’s America, bringing more theatrical appeal and interest to this sophisticated narrative. ‘The Merchant Of Venice’ will be staged on Wednesday 14^th October at 7pm. Tickets are priced £10 each.

Details of all events can be found online at www.marketplacearmagh.com, and tickets can be booked by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821.

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