Eight Miles High brings the Woodstock spirit to the Royal Court

Jun 30 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

AS THE typical British summer breaks over Festival season, Royal Court Liverpool has come up with an ingenious solution for those who love the experience, but hate the rain . . . bring it indoors!

Eight Miles High brings the original Woodstock spirit to Liverpool and has roped in some of the city’s top talent, including Keith Carter, Eithne Brown and Andrew Schofield, to do it.

Jim Cartwright, who wrote the Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Two, has created a play that will transport you back to 1968.

The plot involves a group of right-thinking individuals gathered in a field somewhere just outside of Liverpool, where they set up Britain’s first free music festival. The local landowner is determined to get the “shabby vermin” away from his land, a journalist is sneaking around trying to get negative stories, and a muddled housewife is along for the ride. Add to this a cast of hippies, Hell’s Angels and musicians, and their stories are expertly corralled by the festival MC, played by real life comedian Keith Carter.

The show is an ensemble piece with a multi-talented team of actor/musicians, including Eithne Browne, Paul Broughton, Keith Carter, Zita Frith, Rosie Jenkins, James Lindsay, Jake Norton, Iwan Rheon, Andrew Schofield, Francis Tucker and Tim Whitnall.

The cast double as the festival band, and they will be playing hits from the era.

Iain Christie, of Royal Court Liverpool, said: “We are all really excited about the show and the technical team have done a brilliant job with the set. The grass is being brought in from Holland – for sitting on, not for smoking – and we will have the feel of the great outdoors, but with the benefit of a roof.

“Jim Cartwright is a brilliant playwright and we can't wait to share peace, love and happiness with the people of Liverpool along with some brilliant music and plenty of laughs.”

The audience are encouraged to get dressed for the fest, and a section of the auditorium will be converted into a grassy knoll where people can sit on blankets while delighting in picnics that are provided by the venue’s chef.

Eight Miles High runs from July 18 to August 16.

vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk