A BRAND new adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic The Grapes Of Wrath opens at Nuffield Southampton Theatres Campus next week

Described as one of the greatest of the great American novels, The Grapes of Wrath is set during the height of the Great Depression. One family sets off from the American dust bowl on an epic journey driven as much by fear as by hope. They travel through Route 66 to California, the Promised Land, in search of work and a new life. The Grapes of Wrath is a towering testimony to the integrity, strength and perseverance of the human spirit.

Director Abbey Wright said: “The Grapes of Wrath is uncannily relevant to the world we find ourselves in today; increasing mechanisation, displacement of people, economic and environmental crisis. Across the world we have seen fear and hatred entering political discourse on immigration and identity. At the heart of The Grapes of Wrath is the need for community and love. Steinbeck invites us to ask ourselves 'Who is our family?', 'Who are our children?"

Previews open on Monday with opening night on March 14. The production runs until March 25 and will then tour each of the co-producing venues throughout 2017.

The play, adapted by Frank Galati, directed by Abbey Wright, and featuring original music from Matt Regan is a Nuffield Southampton Theatres, Nottingham Playhouse, Royal & Derngate, Northampton and West Yorkshire Playhouse co-production.

NST Associate Abbey Wright directs a cast including a 50-strong community company made up of residents from Southampton.

Frank Galati won the 1990 Tony Award for Best Play for his dramatisation of The Grapes of Wrath (he also won the Tony Award for Best Director). Tickets are available from the Box Office on 023 8067 1771 or online at nstheatres.co.uk