Exclusive: Southwark Playhouse stages new Ridley play, last at London Bridge

Billed as “an epic story of magic and migration…
covering over five hundred years,” the play will be directed by the
Playhouse’s associate director David Mercatali, who also directed Ridley’s
Tender Napalm at the Playhouse last year.
The fantastical family show will boast a “huge cast” including youth
performers, and characters including talking animals and witches. Further
casting details are yet to be announced.

Speaking to Whatsonstage.com, Chris Smyrnios, Southwark Playhouse’s artistic director and chief executive said “We are delighted
to be working with Philip Ridley again for his third World Premiere at
Southwark Playhouse… It’s a fitting end to five great years beneath the
arches of London Bridge Station and, as we begin our final season, I look
forward to sharing details of our new venue with you
soon.”

Southwark Playhouse’s existence in its present,
temporary location in two archways under London Bridge, has been under threat
for some time due to plans by Network Rail to redevelop the station. However, the venue has been granted a space to return to at London Bridge once the project is completed, in around five years’ time.

In the immediate future, the Playhouse will leave
the location after Feathers in the Snow, which runs until 5
January 2013. More announcements regarding the venue’s future are expected in
October.