Michael Boyd to Direct New Co-Production of RIGHT NOW

The Traverse Theatre Company, Theatre Royal Bath Ustinov Studio and the Bush Theatre today announce that Michael Boyd will direct their co-production of Right Now in Spring 2016. Written by Catherine-Anne Toupin and translated by Chris Campbell, Right Now is a disquieting exploration of one woman's crisis and darkest desires. It walks a delicate line between playful laughter and deep trauma, teasing and thrilling audiences from beginning to end.

As Alice and Ben settle into their beautiful new flat they realise that the family across the hall hope to be more than just good neighbours. Soon, Juliette, Giles, and their son Francis are wearing out the welcome mat; suggesting drinks, hors d'oeuvres and dancing. Things begin to heat up as innocent invitations lead to passionate encounters and unsettling revelations.

Translated by Royal Court Literary Manager, Chris Campbell, Right Now was originally written and performed in French as A Présent by Québécois actor and playwright Catherine-Anne Toupin, and presented by Théâtre de la Manufacture at Théâtre la Licorne, in Montréal.

Michael Boyd said, "My first professional show was with the Traverse in 1980, directing Marcella Evaristi's Hard to Get, with a baby Maureen Beattie, and Peter Kelly. It's great be returning now with Catherine-Anne Toupin's intriguing, funny, and unsettling play, and it's also great to be working on my first show with the Bush Theatre, and continuing a happy relationship with the Ustinov."

The English language translation of Right Now was first heard as a script-in-hand reading at the Traverse in November 2014 as part of New Writing from Quebec, a cultural exchange between the Traverse Theatre and Théâtre La Licorne, home of La Manufacture Theatre Company in Montréal. La Licorne mirrors some of the key passions of the Traverse Theatre, commissioning and producing some of the best new writing from Québec and beyond, and presenting a significant number of Traverse plays in translation.

Artistic Director of the Traverse, Orla O'Loughlin, said, "I am delighted that Catherine-Anne Toupin's play Right Now, will now have its full UK premiere in a Traverse co-production with the Bush Theatre in London and the Ustinov Theatre in Bath. The production is testament to our ongoing collaboration with Québécois artists and our absolute commitment to ensuring our stages maintain an international as well as national focus. We are especially delighted to be welcoming Michael Boyd back to theTraverse as director of this compelling and timely play and are thrilled by his ideas and vision for it."

Laurence Boswell, Artistic Director of the Theatre Royal Bath Ustinov Studio said, "The Ustinov is devoted to the discovery of international writers of special talent, and so we are delighted to be working with our partners at the Traverse and the Bush on the presentation of this fresh, imaginative and provocative new play by Catherine-Anne Toupin. We are proud to have secured the services of Michael Boyd to direct this important new project; this is his third Ustinov outing, he has a long and distinguished association with Scottish theatre and has huge experience of discovering the plays from French Canada. I can think of no one better to direct this bold collaboration which will see Right Now play in Bath, London and Edinburgh."

Madani Younis, Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre stated, "In my time as Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre, I am proud to say that we have championed international voices to great acclaim - including huge successes with Marco Ramirez's The Royale and Ayad Aktar's Disgraced. We take pride in bringing exciting international work to UK audiences, especially from exceptional artists who see the world from a different vantage point. We're delighted to be partnering with two venues who share this spirit of nurturing the best new writing from Britain and beyond, on a production that will ensure that this extraordinary play will be seen by audiences in three cities. Right Now will mark the first time Michael Boyd is to direct at the Bush and we're excited to bring his experience to Catherine-Anne's play - a startling and audacious text that puts one woman's crisis at the heart of its drama."

Right Now will open at the Theatre Royal Bath Ustinov Studio on Thursday 18 February and run until Saturday 19 March. It opens at the Bush Theatre in London on Wednesday 23 March and performances will continue until Saturday 16 April. Right Now opens in the Traverse Theatre on Tuesday 19 April and there will be seventeen performances, including two matinees, before the run ends on Saturday 7 May.

Tickets go on sale at the Traverse and Bush theatres from 11am today, Monday 9 November. Tickets at Theatre Royal Bath Ustinov Studio are available on the following dates; associates booking Saturday 21 November, friends Monday 23, postal subscription Monday 30, Postal Tuesday 1st December, online booking Thursday 3, groups Friday 4, and telephone and counter Monday 7 December.

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