Laurens hit the ground running with her first play, The Three Birds, which premiered at West London’s Bush Theatre while its writer was still in university. Better still, it bagged her the Critics’ Circle award for Most Promising Playwright.

Almeida chief Michael Attenborough who admires Laurens’s non-naturalistic, complex verse and imagery and says that she is in the line of Shakespeare, directs this follow-up. The tale of an old man, his two sons and their wives stars David Calder, Will Keen, Damian Lewis, Helen McCrory and Indira Varma. Designs are by Es Devlin, lighting by Adam Silverman, music by Adam Cork and sound by John Leonard.

While the Almeida is a prestigious step up for Laurens, though, it’s hardly make or break for the 25 year-old. She’s already part of Michael Boyd’s plans for the new Royal Shakespeare Company season, with her next play Poor Beck scheduled as part of his contemporary playwrights programme. Another RSC play will follow, with Laurens official writer-in residence.

Meanwhile runs until Jan. 17, after which Anthony Page will direct the British premiere of Edward Albee’s The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? (previewing from Jan. 22).

For more information call (0)20 7359 4404, or visit www.almeida.co.uk.