Stratford East to Launch New 80-Seat Space with Joe Sellman-Leava's LABELS

Theatre Royal Stratford East Launches its new 80 Seat Theatre Space in Gerry's opposite, with a multi-award winning Edinburgh hit, examining how we use words, the line between curiosity and fear, and the rise of anti-immigration rhetoric. Having already piloted the space in 2015 with Lynette Linton's Chicken Palace, Alexis Gregory's Slap directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair and Femi Elufowoju workshop production of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives (sell-out shows), 2016 sees Theatre Royal Stratford East put new voices and bold new shows on a brand new stage. LABELS runs 5 - 30 April, press night on Thursday 7 April, 8pm.

LABELS was inspired by a racism and equality workshop, led by Oscar-winning writer, actor and activist Emma Thompson, at Exeter University in 2009. It premiered in the wake of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Europe and fierce debates around migration and refugees.

Despite being born in Gloucestershire, Sellman-Leava grew up constantly being asked where he was really from. Cheltenham! Here, he calls for a fairer, more open-minded society, using his own stories to open a wider discussion about the way we talk about, think about and treat our fellow human beings.

LABELS won a Scotsman Fringe First Award and the Holden Street Theatre Award at Edinburgh Fringe 2015. It was also shortlisted for the Amnesty International's Freedom of Expression Award.

The 80 seater space has been made possible thanks to leading international property and infrastructure group, Lendlease, who began work on the site in summer 2014. Assigning two 'Year in Industry students' to lead the project, Lendlease gathered senior managers from The International Quarter, the major new business district being developed in Stratford to deliver the new events and art space for the community of Newham.

Kerry Michael, Artistic Director from the Theatre Royal Stratford East said, "It's been great experimenting with this new multifunctional and intimate performance space, which enables us to produce more shows, different shows and attract an even more varied theatre audience than we already do. As part of that we're delighted to present LABELS, a funny, entertaining piece of theatre about perception, diversity and equality."

Joe Sellman-Leava, actor in LABELS said: "We are really thrilled that LABELS is now travelling to so many parts of the UK (and beyond!) in 2016. Although the story is incredibly personal to me, we always wanted it to connect with as many people as possible. Many people have experiences of being labelled for different reasons. It's this variety of adversity that LABELS talks about."

Emma Thompson said: "What a terrific piece. I love it. Simple, powerful, important and funny."

LABELS will run from 5 - 30 April 2016. Tickets start from just £10, with concessions available on all performances. To book tickets call the Box Office on 020 8534 0310, visit www.stratfordeast.com or book in person at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN.

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