The Gift of Stones (2015)

The village of flint knappers is safe, self satisfied, and inward looking, but a stray arrow, an amputation, and a wild woman from the salt sea marshes bring murder, mystery and cataclysmic change.

Jim Crace’s award-winning historical novel is brought to the stage by the company whose brilliant adaptations have ranged from the hilarious 39 Steps to the scary The Rocking Horse Winner, and most recently the deeply moving A Month in the Country. 

Cast and Creative

Publicity

The Gift of Stones 2015 Flyer and Tour Schedule

The Gift of Stones 2015 Programme

Thanks to...

We are grateful for sponsorship from the many Angels of the North Country and of the Friends of North Country Theatre. Also Richmond Town Council, GW Cadbury Trust, Richmond Fairtrade Group, Leyburn and Mid Wensleydale partnership, The Elm House Trust, The Upper Wensleydale Newsletter, thecitysecret, John blenkiron & Sons, Dawn Clarkson & Associates, Yorkshire Country Holidays and Cllr Clive World, Mayor of Richmond.

We'd also like to thank people who support the company throughout the year along with those who have helped with this production: Simon Kirk, Nicola Moxey, John Lord, Will Lord, Ray Davies at Garden House Pottery, Richmond YMCA, Dales Countryside Museum, Castle Hill Books Richmond, Andy Thursfield, Richmondshire District Council, Carillion, John Ward, Wendy Patch, Gilly's Trade Supplies, Richmond Company of Fellmongers, Amy Brannigan, Caroline Woodroffe, Jenny & Tony Power, Mike Nicholls, Amanda Cook, Faye Doorbar, Geoff Wall, Tim Kendall, Judith Brickwood, Donald & Nina Cline, Wilma Burniston, Liz Floyd, Mike potter, Julian Farrand, Brenda Hale.

Images from the 2015 production of The Gift of Stones.

Audience comments...

"I LOVED the show. Poetic and thought-provoking - and wonderfully acted." (Masham)

“Congratulations on The Gift of Stones! We came on the first night and loved it. Beautiful language beautifully spoken, and an ancient way of life evocatively presented.” (Richmond)

"...I just wanted to write to say both of us found it utterly compelling - possibly the best play we've seen. We liked the balance of the acting without one actor dominating the production, we found the complexity of the themes intriguing (we're still mulling over those) and we enjoyed, as always, the multi-tasking of the props. Thank you for a memorable evening." (Bellerby)

"Thank you for a super performance on Saturday night at Pateley Bridge. Compliments to all the cast for a very enjoyable evening in the usual North CountryTheatre style." (Pateley Bridge)

"Great professionals and great poetry. Well done!" (Hustwaite)

"I can’t think why I have missed North Country Theatre’s previous performances at the Stephen Joseph but, at last, I remedied this with The Gift of Stones which I found riveting.  Funny and moving and beautifully staged." (Scarborough)

"Excellent as always - more ambitious than ever" (Hustwaite)

"We went to the performance at The Maynard last night and I just wanted to say how very much we were captivated by the performance. It had us all gripped in nearly totally attentive silence - apart from the laughs. We were sitting right at the back and could see the actors only when they were standing, but such was the quality and delivery of the voices we were never other than engrossed. Please pass on our thanks and congratulations to Nobby and the cast for an exceptional experience. We look forward to their return." (Grindleford)

"Very enjoyable. Fantastic to see live theatre near to home. Very powerful production." (Husthwaite)

"Memorising and ridiculously moving" (Kirby Overblow)

"Lovely lyrical show, the cyclorama scenery worked beautifully" (Otley)

"Incredibly faithful to the book" (Otley)

"I was engrossed in the plot with it's many themes and I found the players created an atmosphere that drew me right in." (Hustwaite)