POWER & PROTEST at Drayton Arms Theatre

Three new one-act political plays, written by Robert Frew, directed by Anna Clart.

THE PALACE GARDEN

A palace gardener is cornered by his employer, a brutal but beleaguered dictator, who astonishingly hands him the power to determine his fate and that of the entire nation. There is one caveat. To ensure that the gardener acts 'like a leader' and not out of self interest, whatever he decides he will die.

The Palace Garden was a winner of the Scenesaver ‘Just Write’ International Playwriting Award in 2023.

BATAVIAN

Ruthlessly ambitious parliamentary researcher, Ricky Carter, assistant to the Hon. Hugh Dundas MP, is determined to do 'whatever it takes' to reach the top in politics. However, young Ricky is about to discover that gaining admission to the ranks of the powerful and privileged is a lot trickier than he bargained for.

Batavian was shortlisted for the Kenneth Branagh International Playwriting Award in 2020.

THE JURY ROOM

It is the eve of the Eurovision Song Contest and the national juries are voting. Idealistic young juror, Yusif, attempts to manipulate his country's vote to make a public protest against its authoritarian regime. Fearing the consequences for her protégé, elderly head juror, Sabina, desperately tries to stop him.