Show Pics: Redmayne Stars in Court\’s Now or Later

Production shots have been made available of the world premiere production of Christopher Shinn’s Now or Later, which began previews at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs last night (3 September 2008, opens 11 September). The play is a tense and timely US election drama starring Eddie Redmayne (pictured) and Matthew Marsh and helmed by the Court’s artistic director Dominic Cooke.

In the lead-up to the real contest between Barack Obama and John McCain in November, Shinn’s new play explores the tension between liberalism and fundamentalism in American politics. On election night, things are looking rosy for the Democratic party. But as the likely President-elect (Marsh), his wife, advisors and 20-year-old son watch the results roll in, controversial photos of John Jr (Redmayne) are gathering momentum on the internet and the press team are working on damage limitation. Father and son must reach an agreement.

Marsh and Redmayne are joined in Now or Later by Nancy Crane (The Sweetest Swing in Baseball, The Price) as the candidate’s wife, Domhnall Gleeson (Tony Award-nominated for the Broadway production of The Lieutenant of Inishmore) as John Jr’s best friend, Adam James and Pamela Nomvete.

American dramatist Christopher Shinn has had four previous plays staged at the Court: Where Do We Live, Four, Other People and, most recently, 2006’s Dying City, which was this year nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in the US. The production is designed by Hildegard Bechtler, with lighting by Charles Balfour and sound by Ian Dickinson.