Exeter Phoenix to launch Theatre Alibi's Groucher's War

Goucher’s War, a new play by Daniel Jamieson, from Exeter’s Theatre Alibi in association with the Exeter Phoenix, where it starts on Friday, February 25 tells the story of Donald Goucher, a popular children’s writer blessed with a wildly fertile imagination.

Goucher’s tales of a mischievous pig called Hiawyn have become so dark that they are now seriously unsuitable for children. But the ugly side of Goucher’s imagination will become extremely useful to Colonel Sollis, supremo of a military dirty tricks outfit. Sollis sets Goucher to work writing stories about Hiawyn making mischief behind enemy lines – a lethal shaving brush, an exploding souvenir of the Eiffel Tower, a deadly Chianti bottle. And as Goucher beavers away doing his patriotic duty Hiawyn becomes ever more fiendish and corrupt with disastrous and terrifying consequences,

Goucher’s War is an explosion of powerful physical performance, live music and inspired animation by Forkbeard Fantasy’s Tim Britton.

Daniel Jamieson, Theatre Alibi’s associate witer, has written extensively for the company, including adapting The Ministry of Fear, Spies, The Crowstarver, and writing most new productions for the company over the past 15 years, including Cobbo, our most recent production for smaller stages.

Nikki Sved, who’ll be directing the show, is also the artistic director of Theatre Alibi. She’s been responsible for the company’s most successful shows, including Cobbo, The Ministry of Fear, Spies, The Crowstarver and Why the Whales Came.

Animation has been created by Forkbeard Fantasy’s Tim Britton, whose inimitable drawing style is highly appropriate to the weird and wonderful world of Goucher’s War. The score will be composed by Thomas Johnson, whose scores for previous Alibi productions like Cobbo, One in a Million, The Ministry of Fear, Spies, The Crowstarver and Why the Whales Came have been highly praised.

Founded in 1982 by Alison Hodge and Tim Spicer, Theatre Alibi tours its work to theatres and arts centres in the south west and nationally. The company also performs in Devon and Plymouth primary schools, providing a first experience of theatre to many children who have little access to the arts.

Goucher’s War is a co-production with Exeter Phoenix, where the show will premiere prior to a national tour funded by Arts Council England through the National Lottery.