A Clockwork Orange

Anthony Burgess’ prophetic classic reimagined for now. “ What we were after now was the old Surprise Visit. That was a real kick and good for laughs and lashings of the old ultraviolence. ” – Alex A time not too far from our own. A city, plagued with youth crime. Alex is fifteen, intelligent, passionate about Beethoven – and a sociopath. Beating up elderly academics, brawling with other gangs, breaking and entering – that’s one thing. But when he lands up in gaol, it’s the end of the road. Or is it? The State wants to try a radical new therapy to cure young criminals – the Ludovico Technique. Alex is the guinea pig, and he’s quickly ready to be let back on the streets. He’s cured. He’s cured all right The 1966 novel has so much in it – the nature versus nurture debate, the battle between the need for social control and private liberation, the problems with the idea that Good Art makes you a Good Citizen… It’s a modern fable due for a timely re-visit. After her success with A Mirror in 2026, Margaret Thanos will direct a bold new version of this sometimes confronting tale. We’re rapt to bring on some astonishing talent making Belvoir debuts, whilst welcoming back Belvoir stalwarts Marco Chiappi and Paula Arundell. Visceral, and occasionally profound, with Anthony Burgess’ extraordinary heightened language, this will be fascinating theatre.