Ambitious new play to premiere at Suffolk's Thorington Theatre
One of East Anglia’s most distinctive outdoor venues, Thorington Theatre, will host the first ever performance of an ambitious new interdisciplinary work this summer.
The major new production, ‘The Interpreter’, is brought to the stage by The Art Station and combines music, dance, film and visual art together in an immersive theatrical experience.
Created specifically for the theatre's extraordinary woodland setting, the play was inspired by Italo Calvino's celebrated novel ‘The Castle of Crossed Destinies’, and Noriko Okaku's animation ‘The Interpreter’.
The story explores humanity's enduring need to tell stories and make sense of the world around us. It follows a group of travellers who journey through a magical forest before gathering in a forgotten castle, where each has mysteriously lost the ability to speak. Their host offers them a deck of tarot cards and, one by one, they begin to communicate their stories through the images. As each narrative unfolds through music, movement and song, the cards reveal multiple interpretations, reminding us that every story belongs as much to its audience as to its teller.
Talking ahead of the premier performance in August, Clare Palmier, founder of The Art Station, said: "‘The Interpreter’ has grown from a desire to bring together artists from different disciplines to create something that couldn't exist in any other form. Inspired by literature, visual art, music and movement, the work explores how stories connect us when words are no longer enough. We hope audiences will leave feeling inspired, moved and perhaps seeing their own stories in a new light."
Directed and written by Hazel Gould, with choreography by Natalie Ayton, the performance features animation by Noriko Okaku, costumes by Yoko Brown, an original composition by Kier Vine, and live music from Perhaps Contraption, the multi-award winning, progressive brass band from London.
Solo performances are given by Catherine Ring (marimba), Charlotte Jolly (clarinets) and Jin Theriault (flutes), while baritone Rob Gildon leads moments of audience participation, inviting the crowd to become part of the whole imaginative journey.
Lindy O'Hare, founder of Thorington Theatre, said: "The Thorington Theatre has always been about bringing extraordinary artistic experiences into an extraordinary natural setting. ‘The Interpreter’ exemplifies everything we hope audiences will discover here – ambitious new work, exceptional artists and the magic that happens when performance and landscape become inseparable. We're delighted to welcome this remarkable world premiere to the theatre."
With its blend of internationally inspired artistic collaboration, immersive performance and spectacular natural setting, ‘The Interpreter’ is set to become one of Suffolk's cultural highlights of the summer. After which, the company hopes to take the production on tour…
Founded in 2017, The Art Station – based in Saxmundham – is a dynamic, ambitious arts charity offering a free art and learning programme for the community in rural East Suffolk. Their work comprises exhibitions, events, talks, walks, tours and screenings, and hands-on creative sessions for all ages.
The Interpreter is at Thorington Theatre on 31 August 2026.
FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE