The season begins with MUJU, an inter-faith Muslim/Jewish theatre company based at the Tricycle, presenting their first full run at the theatre with a double bill of My Dutiful Laundrette by Yasmeen Khan and the devised play Flirting with Faith, running April 2-5.
The previously announced run of Ayckbourn's Neighbourhood Watch, his 75th play that premiered in Scarborough last year, begins performances April 10 prior to an official opening April 11, for a four-week run through May 5. According to press materials, the play is "a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking the laws into your own hands." The original Scarborough cast of Eileen Battye, Terence Booth, Phil Cheadle, Matthew Cottle, Richard Derrington, Frances Grey, Amy Loughton and Alexandra Mathie will all reprise their roles for the production.
David Harrower's A Slow Air, produced by Tron Theatre Company, will begin performances May 8, prior to an official opening May 10, for a run through June 2. Prior to the Tricycle, it will run at 59E59 Theatres, New York from April 4-28. The play tells the story of a brother (Lewis Howden) and sister (Susan Vidler) in their mid-40s who live in Lowland Scotland, 50 miles apart, who have not spoken in 14 years. When Morna's son Joshua makes contact with Athol, it triggers a life changing series of events.
Francesca Martinez brings her comedy show, What the **** is Normal?!, to the Tricycle for a run from June 6-9, following a 62-date tour of Australia, Malaysia and Singapore. There will be a supporting act each night, including appearances by Richard Herring, Robin Ince, Markus Birdman and Jen Brister.
Mary Shelley, written by Helen Edmundson and directed by Polly Teale, will begin performances June 12, for a run through July 7. According to press materials, the play is a bold exploration of the radical beliefs and relationships that led the author of "Frankenstein" to write one of the greatest novels in history when she was just 19-years-old. It comes to the Tricycle following a national tour, co-produced by the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds, Shared Experience and Nottingham Playhouse. The cast comprises Kristin Atherton (Mary Shelley), Flora Nicholson (Fanny Wollstonecraft), Ben Lamb(Percy Shelley), William Chubb (William Godwin), Shannon Tarbet (Jane Clairmont) and Sadie Shimmin (Mrs Godwin). Lovers Rock Monologues will follow, running July 9-14. Lovers Rock is a sub-genre of reggae born in the UK in the 1970s. The show features three of the genre's leading lights, Janet Kay, Carroll Thompson and Victor Romero Evans.
Jazz at Cafe Society, written, directed and produced by Alex Webb, will run July 16-21, featuring Gwyneth Herbert. It tells the true story of the legendary 1940s New York nightclub which promoted racial equality and progressive causes, and played host to some of the finest musical talent of the 20th century. The soundtrack includes representations of performances by Billie Holiday, Big Joe Turner, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Nellie Lutcher and Lucienne Boyer.
For the duration of the Olympic Games, the Tricycle will become the Trinidad and Tobago Village, showcasing all aspects of the culture of those places, from July 23 to Aug. 25. A presentation of static and interactive exhibits will explore many key cultural elements of Trinidad & Tobago, including cuisine, art, craft and photography, fashion, carnival displays, music (including steelpan), literature, film, trade and industry and tourism. The program will be a mixture of free to the public and ticketed events.
Following the Olympics, comedian and writer Mark Thomas will bring his latest show Bravo Figaro! to the Tricycle for a run from Sept. 10 to 22. The show was developed from an original commission by ROH2 and premiered during Deloitte Ignite 2011 at the Royal Opera House. Directed by Hamish Pirie, the show plunders operatic themes of family, love, death and art.
To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7328 1000, or visit www.tricycle.co.uk.
