PAYNE: The Stars Are Fire • Jack Studio Theatre

PAYNE: The Stars Are Fire

by Ross McGregor

produced by Christopher Tester for Arrows & Traps Theatre

Set five years after the events of The Music In The Spheres, The Stars Are Fire follows the phenomenal true story of one of Holst’s most brilliant students – Cecilia Payne – as she begins her groundbreaking work in astronomy at Harvard Observatory in 1923.

One of the first trailblazing women to receive a PhD in the United States, Cecilia soon makes a discovery that turns everything humanity knows about the universe completely on its head, and she must decide whether to fight or fall as powerful authorities try to silence her.

PAYNE: The Stars Are Fire is the powerful story of England’s most pioneering scientific explorer, telling a bold-hearted romance about one woman’s love affair with the stars.

The Stars Are Fire is part two of Arrows & Traps new repertory season: The Dyer’s Hand.

My nature is subdued to what it works in, like the dyer’s hand.
Sonnet 111, William Shakespeare

Able to be seen individually as two independent stories, or taken as a single epic narrative experience, The Dyer’s Hand Rep Season presents two interlinking plays, told on alternating nights by a single cast, and produced by the award-winning and critically-acclaimed Arrows & Traps Theatre.

Performances: Tuesday 25 – Thursday 27 January; Saturday 29 January; Wednesday 2, Friday 4, Saturday 5, Wednesday 9, Friday 11, Tuesday 15, Thursday 17, Friday 18 and Saturday 19 February at 7.30 pm.

One matinee performance: Saturday 12 February at 3.00 pm.

Socially distanced performances: Wednesday 26 January at 7.30pm, Wednesday 9 February at 7.30pm, Saturday 12 February at 3.00pm, Tuesday 15 February at 7.30pm

Press for previous productions

This production gets it right in every way… we certainly advise beating your way to the box office to see it! ★★★★★ London Living Large
All told, Chaplin: Birth of a Tramp really was excellent from start to the very powerful, and still relevant, ending. It is extremely well written, produced and acted and shines a welcome light on the life and, at times, the inner turmoil of one of the world’s most beloved entertainers. ★★★★★ London Theatre 1
Clever and compelling take on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel… an incredibly well thought out piece of theatre that grips and entertains the whole way through. ★★★★★ Spy in the Stalls on The Strange Case of Jekyll & Hyde
McGregor has created a modern masterpiece, full of unexpected twists and turns… Performances from the cast of five are uniformly excellent… A triumph. ★★★★★ Stage Review on The Strange Case of Jekyll & Hyde
Ross McGregor’s spellbinding biopic is visceral, delectable, and true… Taro joins physical theatre legends Gecko and Frantic Assembly in its ability to thrill and engage its audience. Packed with sentimentality and warmth, Gerda Taro’s legacy is one to be remembered for generations to come. ★★★★★ The Upcoming

Book Tickets

Dates and Tickets

The Dyer’s Hand Rep Season: Tuesday 18 January – Saturday 19 February 2022 at 7.30 pm
No performances: Sundays and Mondays.

Tickets: £16, £14 conc; suitable for 12+.

PAYNE full performance schedule: Tuesday 25 – Thursday 27 January; Saturday 29 January; Wednesday 2, Friday 4, Saturday 5, Wednesday 9, Friday 11, Tuesday 15, Thursday 17, Friday 18 and Saturday 19 February at 7.30 pm.

Matinee performance: Saturday 12 February at 3.00 pm.

Socially distanced performances: Wednesday 26 January at 7.30 pm, Wednesday 9 February at 7.30 pm, Saturday 12 February at 3.00 pm, Tuesday 15 February at 7.30 pm

WARNING: This production contains flash lighting and loud sounds

Online: Click here
There is no charge for online bookings.

Box office: 0333 666 3366
Telephone reservations have a £1.80 booking fee.

Our concessionary price tickets are for: full-time students, over 65s, registered unwaged, under 18s and Equity Members. Please bring proof of status.

Running time: TBC.

This production will be run in line with the latest government regulations at the time of the performance. Before booking, please read our latest guidance on your visit here

Creative Team

Payne: The Stars Are Fire by Ross McGregor

Directed by Ross McGregor
Designed by Odin Corie
Lighting Design: Jonathan Simpson
Sound Design: Alistair Lax
Video Design: Douglas Baker
Vocal Coach: Sarah Case
Make up Artist: Lucy Ioannou
Photography by The Ocular Creative

Produced by Christopher Tester for Arrows & Traps Theatre

Cast

Cornelia Baumann: Annie Jump Cannon
Lucy Ioannou: Adelaide Ames
Laurel Marks: Cecilia Payne
Edward Spence: Donald Menzel
Alex Stevens: Harlow Shapley
Toby Wynn-Davies: Gustav Holst & Henry Russell

Your Visit

The box office on-site opens at 7.15 pm for the checking-in of pre-booked tickets, to seat you early and to minimise queues. Please arrive in good time to be seated for the 7.30 pm start.

LATECOMERS WILL NOT BE ADMITTED

Food and drinks are served at the Brockley Jack pub. If you wish to book a table, please visit their website

For our latest safety guidelines on visiting the Jack Studio, please visit our information page here

There is strictly no photography or recording of any kind permitted in the theatre.

For more details on travelling to the venue and accessibility please visit our Find Us Page