Photo Flash: First Look at the UK Tour of CLYBOURNE PARK

The UK regional première production of Bruce Norris' acclaimed play CLYBOURNE PARK opens at Mercury Theatre Colchester's home base ahead of a national tour, starring Ben Deery (Karl / Steve), Dan Gaisford (Kenneth), Rebecca Manley (Bev / Kathy), Rebecca Oldfield (Betsey / Lindsey), Gloria Onitiri (Francine / Lena), Wole Sawyerr (Albert / Kevin), William Troughton (Jim / Tom) and Mark Womack (Dan / Russ). The production opens on 15 April as part of the Made in Colchester Season and runs until 23 April. This is the first time the production will be seen in the UK outside of London, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

This razor-sharp satire lifts the lid on race and real estate in a fictional Chicago neighbourhood. The swinging sixties are just around the corner as a black family move into a suburban white enclave, triggering all too predictable mutterings from the neighbours. Fifty years on, we return to the same house in 2009 as gentrification sets in and the roles are reversed. The ensemble of actors play two sets of characters in a play hailed as 'shockingly entertaining' and 'appallingly funny'.

Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike since its debut on Broadway in 2009, Clybourne Park took the West End by storm following a sold out run at the Royal Court Theatre in London. It has been awarded Best Play at the Olivier Awards, the Evening Standard Best Play Award, the South Bank Sky Arts Theatre Award, Critics' Circle Best Play Award and the Tony Award for Best Play.

Playwrights Horizons Inc produced the World Première of Clybourne Park Off-Broadway in 2010. Clybourne Park was produced on Broadway by Jujamcyn Theatres at the Walter Kerr Theatre, 2012. Presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited.

Following performances in Colchester the production tours to Richmond Theatre (25 - 30 April, Press night: 26 April at 7.30pm), Yvonne Arnaud Theatre (2 - 7 May), Cambridge Arts Theatre (9 - 14 May), Oxford Playhouse (17 - 21 May) and Theatr Clwyd (23 - 28 May). The tour of Clybourne Park marks a first for the Mercury - following a string of successful co-productions it is the first time under Daniel Buckroyd's leadership that the theatre has toured as sole producer.

Photo Credit: Robert Day