THE WASP and DEPOSIT Set for Hampstead Downstairs in 2015

Hampstead Theatre and The Peter Wolff Trust are delighted to announce two new plays for Hampstead Downstairs: The Wasp by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, directed by Tom Attenborough and Deposit by Matt Hartley, directed by Lisa Spirling.

Hampstead Downstairs is a flexible 90 seat space in which to nurture writing, directing and acting talent, and to identify and develop fresh and entertaining plays which might have a future life. They are staged free from the pressures of commercial interests or formal press evaluation, but in front of a paying audience who have the opportunity to offer feedback and affect the future of a production.

The 2014 autumn season has been the most successful Downstairs season yet. 8,516 tickets were sold across 3 shows, equivalent to a 95% capacity.

28 new plays have been presented Downstairs since Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Producer Greg Ripley-Duggan took over at Hampstead in 2010, with 5 moving on to the Main Stage, West End or touring productions. Next month sees the opening of original Hampstead Downstairs shows Di and Viv and Rose in the West End and Hello/Goodbye on Hampstead's Main Stage.

Although there are no formal press nights for Hampstead Downstairs productions, tickets are available to critics who wish to see the shows and write about them informally.

The Wasp

By Morgan Lloyd Malcolm

Directed by Tom Attenborough

Designed by David Woodhead

29 January - 7 March 2015

'Look, I don't even remember talking to you after Year Eight so whatever you think I did was probably someone else'

Heather and Carla haven't seen each other since school. Their lives have taken very different paths - Carla lives a hand to mouth existence while Heather has a high-flying career, husband and a beautiful home. And yet, here they are in a café having tea and making awkward conversation. That is until Heather presents Carla with a bag containing a significant amount of cash and an unexpected proposition...

Morgan Lloyd Malcolm's electric new thriller takes disquieting turns as the settling of childhood scores extends far beyond the playground. Is there a limit to the price of revenge?

Morgan returns to Hampstead following the critically acclaimed Belongings which transferred from Downstairs to the West End in 2011. Other recent credits include You Once Said Yes (Edinburgh/The Roundhouse), Epidemic and Platform (both Old Vic).

Tom Attenborough returns to Hampstead following his role as Associate Director to Edward Hall on the award-winning Wonderland earlier this year. His previous directing credits include Richard III (East 15), The 24 Hour Plays (Old Vic) and Abigail's Party (Theatre Royal Bath/UK Tour).

Deposit

By Matt Hartley

Directed by Lisa Spirling

Designed by Polly Sullivan

12 March - 11 April 2015

'Well today is a brave day, friends are uniting. To help each other's dreams come true'

Rachel and Ben want to buy a flat in London. And so do their friends, Melanie and Sam. But what with rent, tax, student loans, pensions and bills, it's impossible to save for a deposit.

So the foursome come up with a fast-track solution: rent a tiny one bedroom flat between the four of them and split all costs 50/50. It's only for a year after all - a piece of cake.

But with paper thin walls and space growing sparser by the day, which will they sacrifice first - the friendship, the relationship, or the dream of buying their own property?

Matt Hartley's Hampstead Downstairs debut throws a lively and topical spotlight on 'Generation Rent' and the lengths they will go to in order to get that first step on the property ladder. His theatre credits include the Bruntwood Award winning Sixty Five Miles (Paines Plough/ Hull Truck) and Horizon (National Theatre Connections).

Lisa Spirling returns to Hampstead Downstairs following the sell-out hit, Fault Lines in December 2013. Other Hampstead Downstairs credits include I Know How I Feel About Eve. She also directed Michael Frayn's Here (Rose Theatre, Kingston) and Hundreds & Thousands (Soho Theatre).

DETAILS:

Times: All shows - eves at 7.45pm. Sat Mats at 3.15pm; Weds matinees for The Wasp 25 Feb and 4 March at 2.45pm; Weds matinees for Deposit on 1 and 8 April at 2.45pm

Prices: £12. £10 concessions. All tickets for first five performances of each play £5.

Booking: Online: www.hampsteadtheatre.com; Tel: 020 7722 9301

In person: Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 3EU

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