The production is part of Off the Wall, a season of new plays about Germany, that also includes Marius von Mayenburg's The Stone (running to Feb. 28) and a series of readings of new plays by German writers David Gieselmann, Anja Hilling, Dea Loher, Philipp Löhle and Christoph Nussbaumeder.
Real-life twin brothers Harry and Luke Treadaway will play brothers who are reunited by the fall of the Berlin Wall in Over There, which is being jointly directed by Ramin Gray and the playwright. The play revolves around identical twin boys: When their mother escaped to the West, she left one of them behind. Now, 25 years alter, Karl crosses the border in search of Franz, his other half. As history takes an unexpected turn, the brothers must struggle to reconnect.
According to press materials, the play "examines the hungers released when two countries, separated by a common language, meet again."
Ravenhill's first full-length play, Shopping and Fucking, was originally premiered by Out of Joint and the Royal Court at the Ambassadors Theatre in 1996. Subsequent plays include Mother Clap's Molly House (premiered at the National's Lyttelton and transferred to the West End's Aldwych), The Cut (Donmar Warehouse), and two one-act plays for the National's Shell Connections season, Totally Over You and Citizenship. He also wrote the Barbican's 2006 pantomime Dick Whittington and His Cat, and the cycle of short plays Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat.
Harry Treadaway will make his professional stage debut in Over There. He made his screen debut with his brother Luke in the film "Brothers of the Head" (directed by Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe). He has since been seen in the films "The Disappeared" (directed by Jonny Kevorkian), "City of Ember" (directed by Gil Keenan) and "Control" (directed by Anton Corbijn). His television credits include "The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall" and "Cape Wrath" (both for Channel 4). Luke Treadaway's previous theatre credits include Cradle Me (Finborough), Piranha Heights (Soho), the original production of War Horse and Saint Joan (both NT). After making the film "Brothers of the Head" with his brother Harry, he has also appeared in the films "Heartless" (directed by Philip Ridley) and "Northern Star" (directed by Simon Ellis) as well as the television drama "Clapham Junction" (Channel 4).
Co-director Ramin Gray is associate director of the Royal Court, where his productions have included The Stone, The Ugly One, The Arsonists, Push Up, Terrorism, Ladybird, Way to Heaven and Motortown. He has also directed The American Pilot and I'll Be The Devil for the RSC.
The production is designed by Johannes Schütz with lighting by Matt Drury, sound by Alex Caplen and costumes by Iona Kenrick.
To book tickets contact the box office at 020 7565 5000 or visit www.royalcourttheatre.com.
