THE PRESENT To Play At Cock Tavern, Kilburn August 18 To September 5

Nick Ward's THE PRESENT gets its first UK stage revival at Kilburn's c*ckTavern this month, running from August 18 to September 5.

Nietzche, Lennon, art and hippy disillusionment combine in a young man's surreal journey of self-discovery, set in Melbourne, Australia, in the immediate aftermath of John Lennon's assassination in December 1980.

18-year-old Danny is taken under the wing of predatory con-man Michael and his mysterious polyamorous bisexual acquaintances, Libby and Becky. Embroiled in a drug induced art world, he is molded and manipulated. Fantasy blurs with reality and using mind games they force him to relive moments from his past.

The Present premiered at the Bush Theatre in February 1995, directed by Nick Ward to critical acclaim. In 2001 Playground Studios filmed an updated version, also directed by Nick Ward and starring Karen Cartlidge from the original production.

This is the second revival of a play from the Bush Theatre at The c*ckTavern Theatre and by resident company Good Night Out Presents.