Royal Court Brings Theatre Local Scheme to Peckham Rye

The scheme, which was established to take plays to “alternative spaces”, will run from 29 September to 19 November 2011 at The Bussey Building on Rye Lane, which was recently saved from demolition thanks to community group Peckham Vision.

The season will include longer runs of two new plays, truth and reconciliation by Debbie Tucker Green, which opened in the Theatre Upstairs last night (5 September 2011), and The Westbridge by Rachel De-Lahay, which will receive its world premiere in Peckham.

As with last year, tickets will be sold on a ‘pay-what-you-like’ basis when purchased at the venue or £10 in advance. The Royal Court will also offer a series of workshops alongside a programme of accessible events.

Royal Court artistic director Dominic Cooke said: “The first stage of the Theatre Local project at Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre last year was an exciting experience for us. Our aim was to take Royal Court plays to the heart of a community attracting audiences who may not have otherwise visited our Sloane Square home … The Bussey Building in Peckham feels likes the perfect base from which to continue the venture.

“I have long been fascinated by the unique and unpredictable connection that happens every night on stage between the performers and the audience and so we constantly strive to keep this feeling alive by developing relationships with new theatregoers – I’m very much looking forward to continuing this and getting to know our new Peckham neighbours.”