THE PLAGUE, RICHARD III, and More Announced for Arcola Theatre's 2017 Spring/Summer Season
By: BWW News Desk Mar. 01, 2017
"Arcola's new season confronts tyranny - the tyranny of people by rulers (Richard III, Tamburlaine, These Trees), states of emergency (The Plague, Ready Or Not) and work in the global economy (The Pulverised). At a time when the world order is under strain - but also when ordinary people are feeling the strain of that change - these plays offer a chance to reflect on our afflictions, and on ways we might resist the worst excesses of power. In-keeping with Arcola's commitment to diverse theatre, the season features new productions from leading BAMER companies Yellow Earth and Kali Theatre. Half of the shows are directed by women, including two original works by female playwrights."
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Studio 1
Studio 1 is now a fully producing house. Arcola Theatre presents three productions this season:
5 April - 6 May 2017
Arcola Theatre presents
THE PLAGUE
based on La Peste by Albert Camus Adapted and directed by Neil Bartlett
"April 29th; lunchtime. Found Mr Michel in the street outside the apartment. Walk unsteady. Eyes unnaturally bright."
Dr Rieux is noticing things. A rat on the stairs, where it has no right to be. A sore throat becoming a fever. The first signs of panic. It all amounts to a troubling diagnosis... so what's the cure?
The Plague is Albert Camus' electrifying story about living through a time of crisis and fighting back against despair.
Written in the aftermath of the Nazis' march across Europe, it struck a powerful chord with millions struggling to understand the fascist 'plague' that had just overwhelmed them.
Now, seventy years later, multi-award-winning director Neil Bartlett (Or You Could Kiss Me, National Theatre; Stella, LIFT) retells Camus' classic for our own dangerous times. His frank and gripping new stage adaptation puts chaos under the microscope, and plants the germ of hope in the power of our common humanity.
Now booking at www.arcolatheatre.com #ThePlague
Monday-Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 3pm Tickets £12-£22 (previews £10-£17)
Cast: Joseph Alessi, Burt Caesar, Billy Postlethwaite, Sara Powell, Martin Turner
Lighting Design: Jack Weir
Sound Design: Dinah Mullen
11 May - 10 June 2017
Arcola Theatre presents
RICHARD III
by William Shakespeare Directed by Mehmet Ergen Cast includes Greg Hicks
King Edward is on the throne, and England is at peace. But don't worry - it won't be that way for long.
Gripping and outrageous, Shakespeare's Richard III is the tale of a ruthless, power-crazed misogynist who lies and cheats his way to the highest seat in the land.
Following his celebrated performances as Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Coriolanus and King Lear for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Greg Hicks takes on the role of the tyrant king Richard in this startling new production, directed by Arcola's Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen.
"I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders Before I'll see the crown so foul misplaced."
Further casting to be announced. Design: Anthony Lamble
Lighting Design: David Howe
Now booking at www.arcolatheatre.com #RichardIII
Monday-Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 3pm Tickets £12-£22 (previews £10-£17)
14 June - 15 July 2017
Arcola Theatre presents
THESE TREES ARE MADE OF BLOOD Book by Paul Jenkins
Music and Lyrics by Darren Clark
Directed by Amy Draper
Original story by Amy Draper, Paul Jenkins and Darren Clark
"And for our next act ... The Magical Military Junta ... Will make 30,000 people disappear before your very eyes."
1970s Argentina. A violent, right-wing dictatorship. Thousands of citizens, seized by the authorities, have "disappeared".
Inside the country's most disreputable club, a mother is about to risk everything to find her missing daughter.
Spectacular, arresting and totally unique, These Trees are Made of Blood blends cabaret and original live music to tell a vital, human story from Argentina's Dirty War.
Step into Buenos Aires for this immersive theatrical experience, which pulls back the curtain on a secretive state, and shines the spotlight on a powerful act of resistance. Following a sold-out premiere in 2015, the cabaret coup reignites at Arcola for four weeks only.
Now booking at www.arcolatheatre.com #TheseTrees
Monday-Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 3pm Tickets £12-£22 (previews £10-£17)
Originally produced by Jim Croxford for Theatre Bench at Southwark Playhouse
Studio 2
15 March - 8 April 2017
Yellow Earth presents
TAMBURLAINE
by Christopher Marlowe
Adapted and directed by Ng Choon Ping
A lowly shepherd rises to power - and conquers half the known world.
Tamburlaine is a breathtaking interrogation of power, masculinity and the limits of violence.
In his new adaptation for Yellow Earth theatre company, Ng Choon Ping directs a startling
production with a British East Asian cast and live taiko drumming. Lourdes Faberes makes her
Arcola debut as Tamburlaine.
As 'strongman' leaders exert their influence, and new power from the East asserts its growing
dominance, Christopher Marlowe's classic tale takes on a new urgency and relevance for our
time.
"I mean to be a terror to the world"
Cast: Melody Brown, Lourdes Faberes, Fiona Hampton, Susan Hingley, Amanda Maud, Leo Wan.
Live taiko drumming by Joji Hirota.
Design: Moi Tran
Video Design: Gillian Tan
Lighting Design: Neill Brinkworth
Movement: Rose Ryan
Dramaturgy: Stewart Melton
Creative Producer: Kumiko Mendl
Now booking at www.arcolatheatre.com #Tamburlaine
Monday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturday matinees at 3.30pm Tickets £17 / £14 concessions (previews £12)
Tamburlaine is supported by the Cockayne Foundation and the Foyle Foundation.
11 - 29 April 2017
Kali Theatre presents
READY OR NOT by Naylah Ahmed
Directed by Helena Bell
Why would an ordinary retired teacher take a young Muslim man hostage in her living room? In this timely political thriller from Naylah Ahmed (winner of the Royal National Theatre Playwrights Award), an innocent encounter soon develops into a dangerous game of hide and seek with the truth.
In a world of 24-hour news, is there any escape from fear? And how can we detect the real enemy at our gates?
Kali Theatre has been presenting groundbreaking new theatre by South Asian women for over 20 years. New Artistic Director Helena Bell directs this sharp, thought-provoking world premiere, arriving in London as part of a UK tour.
Cast: Joan Blackham, Naeem Hayat, Natasha Rickman Design: Rajha Shakiry
Lighting Design: Katharine Williams
Video Design: Daniel Denton
Sound Design: Chris Drohan
Now booking at www.arcolatheatre.com #ReadyOrNot
Monday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturday matinees at 3.30pm Tickets £17 / £14 concessions (previews £12)
Arcola Theatre, Changing Face and York Theatre Royal present
2 - 27 May 2017
THE PULVERISED
by Alexandra Badea, translated by Lucy Phelps Directed by Andy Sava
"Stop the rat race. Stop time. Stop the money. Stop the anxiety. Stop everything that has made human beings so bitter."
A quality assurance officer from France, a call centre manager from Senegal, a factory worker from China, and an engineer from Romania. Each leads a life apart, but all work round-the-clock for the same multinational corporation.
When work has no borders, what's the cost? Alexandra Badea's captivating drama is a powerful and disturbing portrait of globalisation and its far-reaching effects on our lives.
Following an explosive premiere at the National Theatre of Strasbourg, where it won the prestigious Grand Prix de la Litte?rature, The Pulverised arrives in the UK with a new English translation.
Now booking at www.arcolatheatre.com #Pulverised
Monday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturday matinees at 3.30pm Tickets £17 / £14 concessions (previews £12)
About Arcola Theatre
Arcola Theatre is one of London's leading off-West End theatres. Locally engaged and internationally minded, Arcola stages a diverse programme of plays, operas and musicals. World- class productions from major artists appear alongside cutting-edge work from the most exciting emerging companies. Arcola delivers one of London's most extensive community engagement programmes, creating over 5000 opportunities every year. By providing research and development space to diverse artists, Arcola champions theatre that's more engaging and representative. Its pioneering environmental initiatives are internationally renowned, and aim to make Arcola the world's first carbon-neutral theatre.
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