A controversial and now vanished refugee and migrant camp near Calais, France, is re-created in ‘The Jungle,’ performing within the Curran in San Francisco through May 19.
IT WAS HOME TO THOUSANDS …THEN IT WAS GONE: “THE JUNGLE,” INSTALLED AT THE CURRAN, OFFERS AN IMMERSION IN THE REFUGEE EXPERIENCE. From January 2015 through October 2016, refugees and migrants sweeping north through France were forced to halt near Calais, on the edge of the English Channel. There, a desolate piece of land became a temporary city and home for perhaps as many as 10,000 people, until they were forcibly removed and the camp was demolished. The essence of that camp, known globally as the Calais Jungle, has been created within the Curran, whose traditional proscenium stage has been replaced by the Afghan Café, where the audience sits on picnic benches behind narrow oil-cloth covered tables. (For a view … https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=cd7WBHNPJQM.) In the course of the performance of “The Jungle,” a fast-paced series of exchanges, scenes and vignettes unfold in and around the café, telling the stories of the people living in the camp and those who came to help them. The production contains smoke effects, flashing lights, strong language, loud noises and gunshot sounds. Written by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson. Directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin. Set Design by Miriam Buether. Two hours and 30 minutes with one intermission. Through May 19.
TICKET INFORMATION AND STAGE DIRECTIONS. Tickets from $25-$165 at (415) 358-1220 or SFCURRAN.com. The Curran is located at 445 Geary St. in San Francisco, one block from Union Square. The closest BART stop is Powell Station. Discounted parking is available at the Mason/O’Farrell Garage, where theatergoers can park for up to six hours for $15. Present your ticket to the attendant to receive this special rate.
ACCESSIBILITY. The Curran offers tickets in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and strives to accommodate all patrons. Due to the unique floor seating of “The Jungle,” customers with mobility concerns may wish to call Guest Services at (415) 358-1220 to determine the most suited options. Guests who purchase seats noted as wheelchair accessible will be contacted to make sure that Curran staff is best prepared to assist upon arrival. Plus-sized patrons may inquire about the location and availability of swing-arm seats as well as freestanding armless seats. Those with mobility devices (canes, crutches, walkers, etc.) will need to check these items with a staff member to comply with local fire code regulations. At the end of the performance, an usher will return the device to the guest, or at intermission upon request. Fully accessible restrooms are located on the lower level of the theater. A lift in the lobby is available for patrons with mobility issues. Audio Assisted Listening Devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Patrons must leave a state-issued ID or driver’s license as deposit on all devices. An Open Caption performance is scheduled for the April 28 matinee; an American Sign Language performance for the May 11 matinee; and an Audio Described performance for the May 18 matinee.
***
Recommended for you
“IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING”: MICHAEL FEINSTEIN FOR MOTHER’S DAY. Two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award-nominee Michael Feinstein returns to Feinstein’s at the Nikko with “It Might as Well Be Spring,” a show celebrating the great mothers of songs, including Rosemary Clooney, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Margaret Whiting and Helen Reddy. May 9 (8 p.m.); May 10 at (8 p.m.); and May 11 (5 p.m. and 8 p.m.). A Mother’s Day performance will take place on May 12 (5 p.m.). Located within the Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. in San Francisco, Feinstein’s at the Nikko presents entertainers from stage and screen within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. There is a $20 food and beverage minimum per person which guests can use toward cocktails as well as small plates. www.feinsteinsatthenikko.com.
***
SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN’S CHORUS CELEBRATES PRIDE MONTH WITH “QUEENS.” The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus concludes its Season 41 with “QUEENS,” a concert commemorating the past, present and future of the LGBTQ rights movement. This celebration of Pride Month features beloved gay anthems, as well as songs that pay tribute to the themes of strength, perseverance and acceptance. “QUEENS” hosts guest appearances from San Francisco’s celebrity drag queens Donna Sachet, Sister Roma and Sister Phyllis of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Heklina, and Kylie Minono, along with SFGMC’s very own Drag All-Stars. June 21 at 8 p.m., and June 22 at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. at The Sydney Goldstein Theater (formerly Nourse Theater) 275 Hayes St. in San Francisco. Tickets $25-$99 at www.sfgmc.org or (415) 392-4400.
Susan Cohn is a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle and the American Theatre Critics Association. She may be reached at susan@smdailyjournal.com.
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO
personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who
make comments. Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. Don't threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Anyone violating these rules will be issued a
warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be
revoked.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.