Off-West End Announcements “Premiere Special” – 23 July 2010

Vincent in Dalston
A new season at the Arcola will open with the premiere of Vincent by David Watson, whose first play Just A Bloke played at the Royal Court when he was just 17. This new story of nine lives fractured by the events of one tragic day comes to the Arcola from 2 – 25 Sep courtesy of Pieces Productions, the company Watson co-founded with director Clare Lizzimore to support socially and politically engaged theatre. Lizzimore directs a cast including Adam Best in the title role.

Aussie Classic At Cock
Hotel Sorrento is one of Australia’s most performed plays but it has taken 20 years and Adam Spreadbury-Maher of the Cock Tavern to bring it to the UK stage. Premiering at the Cock from 17 Aug -11 Sep, Hannie Rayson’s tale of family, friends and nation has won numerous awards and became a feature film. It should be in good hands with Spreadbury-Maher, an Australian whose revival of The York Realist at Riverside Studios this year was universally praised.

Who Dares Wins
Bill Dare, the producer behind TV hits including Spitting Image, Dead Ringers and The Mary Whitehouse Experience, is writing again. His new comedy of moral confusion, Misconception, will preview at the Kings Head Islington on 31 July and 1 Aug, before an Edinburgh run at the Assembly Rooms. Sian Reeves, former champion of celebrity singing contest The Two of Us, heads up the cast while Katie McAleese directs.

And Finally
“Not a revival. Not previously a film. Not born in the USA.” So reads the tagline for After the Tone, a brand new musical playing at The Bridewell Theatre from 2 – 14 August. Co-written by 18-year old composer Oliver Fenwick and writer Russell Thompson, the show centres round the beautiful and ruthless city worker Livi and the four people whose lives she has set in a spin.