In the second theatre Park90, a variety of companies will present a season of new and experimental theatre.
In a press statement, artistic director Jez Bond commented, "Since our opening in May, we have been overwhelmed by the support for the new venue, both within the local community and across the capital. I’m thrilled to announce our new season today – a diverse mix of new work, innovative and exciting partnerships with new and established companies, and the cream of British theatrical talent across both our spaces. This season builds on the foundations of our work thus far, cementing our place in the London theatre scene, and I look forward to building on this as we secure the future for the theatre in Finsbury Park."
The season in Park200 will begin with Filter's production of Twelfth Night, beginning performances Sept. 24 prior to an official opening Sept. 25 for a run through Oct. 6. It is directed by Sean Holmes.
It is followed by the world premiere of Adult Supervision, by Park Theatre writer-in-residence Sarah Rutherford that artistic director Jez Bond will direct, beginning performances Oct. 8 prior to an official opening Oct. 10, for a run through Nov. 3. Set on U.S. election night in 2008 in London, it revolves around white ex-lawyer Natasha, adoptive mother to two Ethiopian children, who finds that tonight is the ideal opportunity to get to know the small handful of other "mothers of children of color" at their smart private school. But as the Obamatinis start to flow, the middle-class veneer starts to crack and Natasha's carefully-planned social occasion quickly unravels.
Next is the London premiere of Paul Herzberg's The Dead Wait, beginning performances Nov. 6 prior to an official opening Nov. 8 for a run through Dec. 1. Presented by Snapdragon Productions, it is directed by Joe Harmston. Set in South Africa in 1989, it revolves around Josh Gilmore, who is poised to become the first white athlete to break 10 seconds for the 100 meter, carrying the hopes of a racist regime. But he's conscripted into a war under the fanatical Papa Louw. In the rubble of an Angolan village they discover a wounded black freedom fighter. When Papa orders Josh to carry the man back to the border, a remarkable bond is forged. Josh is forced to make a choice: between the humanity he shares with his enemy and the iron will of his commander. The Reduced Shakespeare Company's The Complete Works of Shakespeare: Abridged [Revised] plays a season Dec. 2-8, before the theatre presents its first annual pantomime Sleeping Beauty, beginning performances Dec. 11 prior to an official opening Dec. 13, for a run through Jan. 19, 2014. With an original script by artistic director Jez Bond and associate artist Mark Cameron, it features original musical and the theatre's dog Hazel.
Finally in Theatre200, the New Year will see the world premiere of Larry Belling's Stroke of Luck, beginning performances Jan. 29 prior to an official opening Jan. 31, for a run through March 2. Tim Pigott-Smith will appear in the play, which is described in press materials as a "dark comedy that explores the themes of greed and guilt, how to reunite families that have been driven apart, and how debilitating physical ailments do not necessarily mean diminished mental faculties."
In Park90, the season opens with Rosalind Adler's Sympathy Pains, a comedy-drama about a pregnant man that transfers from the Edinburgh Fringe, beginning performances Sept. 3 prior to an official opening Sept. 4 for a run through Sept. 22.
It is followed by the world premiere of Sally Llewellyn's The Barrier, a contemporary tale of neighborhood tensions set in London's Stamford Hill, beginning performances Sept. 25 prior to an official opening Sept. 27, for a run through Oct. 20. Kirrie Wratten directs for Earwig Arts Productions.
Next, Ché Walker directs Tash Fairbanks and Toby Wharton's Fog, first seen at the Finborough Theatre, that comes to the Park beginning performances Oct. 22 prior to an official opening Oct. 24 for a run through Nov. 10, as part of a national tour. The play revolves around two families — one white and dysfunctional, the other black and aspiring.
It is followed by Cherise Cross's The Doors, beginning performances Nov. 12 prior to an official opening Nov. 14, for a run through Dec. 1. Inspired by the playwright's own battles with insomnia, the play is described as "a psychological drama that takes the audience on an unnerving journey into the surreal world of sleep deprivation." Produced by 8fold theatre company, it was shortlisted for this year's Brighton Fringe Best New Play Award.
Next, ACS Random present a new Christmas-inspired take on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, beginning performances Dec. 3 prior to an official opening Dec. 4 for a run through Dec. 15, directed by Andrew Shepherd.
It is followed by Jean-Claude Carriere's Little Black Book, translated by Solvene Tiffou, that begins performances Dec. 17 prior to an official opening Dec. 19, for a run through Jan. 19. It is described in press materials as a "very French love story from a writer who is a long-time collaborator of Bunuel and Peter Brook." It is directed by Kate Fahy.
Finally, the world premiere of Omar El-Khairy's The Keepers of Infinite Space begins performances Jan. 22 prior to an official opening Jan. 23, for a run through Feb. 16. It is presented by The Moving Theatre in association with Global Uncertainties. According to press materials, "since the Israeli occupation in 1967, Palestine has become a nation of prisons. Up to 40% of the male population have been detained under military orders. Virtually every family has seen at least one relative put behind bars and generations have grown up in the shadow of the cell." This play chronicles a hidden world of incarceration where imaginative resistance, strange escapades and unexpected betrayals have become the norm.
To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7870 6876 or visit www.parktheatre.co.uk for more details.
