Different ways to look at chocolate

Mikron Theatre Company’s show ‘Pure’ is a story of many flavours being shown at Square Chapel as the company proudly premiere it in Halifax, on Saturday May 28 (tickets from 01422 349422), opening their 45th year of touring.

Always a favourite at Square Chapel, Mikron delights audiences with its fun and fresh shows.

Mikron’s team of four actor/musicians have turned their talents to a number of gastronomic delights over the years; fish and chips, ice cream, beer and honey amongst them, and now, chocolate.

As expected from Mikron, the fast-paced plot zips backwards and forwards through the years, throwing up little-known facts and questions to ponder, all wrapped up, not in silver foil, but in a perfect package of live music and memorable characters.

With two interwoven plots, 150 years apart, Pure examines the business of chocolate and asks if success always has a sweet smell.

Mikron welcomes theatre director, Stefan Escreet to the company, and at the beginning of rehearsals he said: “There’s a real family feel to Mikron - in their office, in the rehearsal room and out on tour with their loyal audiences. 

“I’m really enjoying being part of the family.”

Stefan isn’t the only new company member this year. Pure has been written by Richard Vergette, who has also joined Mikron for the first time.

Richard says: “Researching this play has been one of the most fascinating aspects of writing Pure and not because it’s given me an excuse to eat lots of chocolate (I don’t need an excuse).

“Discovering that child and slave labour are still features of chocolate production made me realise that whilst I wanted the play to celebrate chocolate, I couldn’t ignore the darker elements of its story either.”

Mikron Theatre tours its original brand of theatre in the spring and autumn by road, and in the summer months aboard its narrowboat, Tyseley - which this year celebrates her 80th birthday and the 41st anniversary of being the floating home to Mikron’s actors.

Marianne NcNamara, the company’s Artistic Director says: “For 45 years Mikron has toured places that other companies don’t, and that means we are often deep in the heart of the countryside – a boatyard, an allotment site, even inside a tunnel.”

Pure tours nationally from May until October 2016 alongside Mikron’s other new show Canary Girls – a play about women on the home front in World War One.