Philip Ridley's PIRANHA HEIGHTS Launches New Season at the Old Red Lion Tonight
By: BWW News Desk Nov. 13, 2014
D.E.M. Productions presents Philip Ridley's critically acclaimed play in a bold new interpretation by director Max Barton. This new production of Piranha Heights follows the recent revival of Ridley's Ghost From A Perfect Place (Arcola, September 2014). Piranha Heights also launches Stewart Pringle's first season as artistic director at the iconic Old Red Lion Theatre.
Stewart Pringle, Artistic Director of the Old Red Lion said, "I'm unbelievably excited to have Piranha Heights launching my first season here - Philip Ridley's work has had such a fantastic relationship with the theatre in the past, and this new production promises to be the boldest and most powerful yet. It's ambitious and intensely confrontational drama created by an absolutely first rate cast and crew, and I expect it to burn a hole on the London fringe this November."
Piranha Heights was first performed at Soho Theatre in 2008. Lauded and shocking, writer Philip Ridley was described by The Independent as 'playwright of the apocalypse' and in a 2007 interview, he said: "I firmly believe that we will see something terrible happen... I firmly believe that there will be killings on our streets." In this new production of Piranha Heights, the prophetic nature of the play is apparent - with news on a daily basis of young people from Europe leaving home to join extremist groups, and the London riots a recent memory. Piranha Heights is non-stop, filthily poetic and a searing insight into the disenchantment of young people today.
It's Mother's Day and mother is dead. Now her two sons gather in her home to argue about the truth of their childhood. But a storm is approaching...with a violent new truth all of its own.
Max Barton is Associate Director at Jermyn Street Theatre, where he co-directed a season of five world premieres with Steven Berkoff, and where he directed a critically acclaimed production of Lee Hall's 'Spoonface Steinberg'. He has twice been Associate Director to Trevor Nunn.
The cast includes Alex Lowe and Phil Cheadle as the bereaved brothers Alan and Terry. Alex Lowe joins the show following his recent West End appearance in Fatal Attraction as Jimmy and soon to appear in Sacha Baron Cohen's new film Grimsby. Phil Cheadle's recent TV credits include The Crimson Field and Silent Witness.
They are joined by three rising stars of stage and screen: Jassa Ahluwalia is currently shooting feature film Generation Z. He stars as Rocky in hit BBC Three comedy Some Girls and has recently appeared in Ripper Street, The Whale and the blockbuster mini-series The Bible. Ryan Gerald recently appeared in Neil Bartlett's production of Owen Wingrave. Rebecca Boey's recent stage appearances include From Russia For Love (Theatre Delicatessen/Culturcated Theatre) and Island (National Theatre).
Deus Ex Machina (D.E.M) Productions, founded by producer Ramin Sabi, launched in London in 2014 with Tony Kushner's A Bright Room Called Day at Southwark Playhouse, which was nominated for two OFFIES. Upcoming shows include Stink Foot at the Yard Theatre and soon-to-be announced productions at Trafalgar Studios and Southwark Playhouse. This show is co-produced by Oliver King and Leyla McLennan.
DETAILS:
D.E.M Productions presents
Philip Ridley's PIRANHA HEIGHTS
PRESS NIGHT Thursday 13 November at 7.30pm
Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John Street
London EC1V 4NJ
11 November - 6 December 2014
Tuesday - Saturday at 7:30pm
Saturday matinees at 2.30pm
Thursday matinees at 2.30pm (20,27 Nov, 4 Dec only)
Tickets £10-£17.50
Box Office 0844 412 4307
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