ORSON'S SHADOW to Receive European Premiere at Southwark Playhouse

1960. Backstage at London's Royal Court Theatre. Hollywood giants Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier have been persuaded to work together for the first time - the inspired idea of legendary theatre critic, Kenneth Tynan. Welles has agreed to direct Olivier and Joan Plowright in a production of Eugène Ionesco's masterpiece Rhinoceros. But with Olivier's eccentric wife Vivien Leigh added to the volatile mix, legendary egos collide both on stage and off.

Based on true events, Orson's Shadow, by Austin Pendleton, is a critically acclaimed comedy that is a sharp-witted yet tender-hearted expose' of the thin skins, hot tempers, and rampaging egos that exist when two titans of the stage and screen come together. It was nominated Outstanding Play of the Year in the Lortel Awards on its New York debut.

Orson's Shadow will get its European premiere, directed by Alice Hamilton, at Southwark Playhouse from Wednesday 1 July to Saturday 25 July.

Press night is Monday 7 July at 7.30pm

Cast to be announced.

Austin Pendleton (Writer) is an Obie Award-winning actor who has appeared in more than 120 films and TV shows since the late 1960s. He is an ensemble member of the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. As a writer, his plays Orson's Shadow, Uncle Bob and Booth have all premiered Off Broadway. As a director, he was Tony nominated for directing Elizabeth Taylor in The Little Foxes. In 2012 he directed a production of Detroit in London at the National Theatre.

Alice Hamilton (Director) is co-artistic director of Up In Arms, for whom she recently directed Linda Bassett in the award-winning Visitors at the Bush, Arcola and on a UK tour. Other

directing credits include Fear of Music for Up In Arms/Out Of Joint; Missing at Tristan Bates, and At First Sight at Latitude Festival and on UK tour. She has also directed shorts for the Miniaturists at Arcola, Courting Drama at the Bush and Hatch at the Park Theatre. She was Staff Director on Man and Superman at the National Theatre.

Ruth O'Dowd (Casting Director)

As Casting Director for the Unicorn Theatre: The Velveteen Rabbit (dir. Purni Morell), Henry The Fifth (dir. Ellen McDougall), Britain's Best Recruiting Sergeant (dir. Lee Lyford), Caucasian Chalk Circle (dir. Amy Leach), The Nutcracker (dir. Ellen McDougall), How Nigeria Became (dir. Gbolahan Obisesan) and Seesaw (dir. Sarah Argent). As Casting Associate to Anne McNulty: Someone Who'll Watch Over Me (dir. Michael Attenborough, Chichester and West End), Outside Mullingar (dir. Sam Yates, Ustinov Studio, Bath), Bakkhai (dir. James Macdonald, Almeida Theatre), and Carmen Disruption (dir. Michael Longhurst, Almeida).

Jagged Fence Productions (Producers)

Jagged Fence Productions was founded by Emily Dobbs in 2006. The company creates fresh, fearless and innovative theatre with a focused artistic policy that includes commissioning original adaptations, new writing and re-imaginings of classics. They have produced critically acclaimed work across London, at regional venues and in New York. Theatre includes: The Father (Trafalgar Studios), Uncle Vanya (St James' Theatre - part of the One Stage season), Three Sisters, The Love Girl And The Innocent, The Seagull, The Only True History Of Lizzie Finn, Antigone, The Hostage (Southwark Playhouse), Cornelius (New York transfer to 59E59 Theater), A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, Gotcha, Stars In The Morning Skies (Riverside Studios), Dusa Fish Stas & Vi, Love On The Dole, Ours (Finborough) and Can't Stand Up For Falling Down (Arcola). www.jaggedfence.co.uk

Smith & Brant Theatricals (Producers)

Smith & Brant Theatricals is independently owned and run by the international and award-winning producers, Joseph Smith and John Brant. With a background that encompasses the commercial and subsidised sectors, Smith & Brant Theatricals are passionate about developing new work, as well as regularly collaborating on co-productions and offering general management services, supported by Robyn Keynes. Current projects include: executive producing the UK production of the Tony award-winning musical Memphis (Shaftesbury Theatre), co-producing the comedy revival of Richard Bean's The Mentalists (Wyndham's Theatre), and general managing August Strindberg's The Father (Trafalgar Studios). Previous producing credits include: The Pajama Game (Shaftesbury Theatre, 2014); How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Broadway, 2011/12) starring Daniel Radcliffe; Promises, Promises (Broadway, 2010) and Jonathan Kent's production of Sweeney Todd (West End, 2012), winner of 3 Olivier Awards including "Best Musical Revival", 5 WhatsOnStage Awards including "Best Musical Revival" and the Evening Standard Theatre Award for "Best Musical".

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