About This Show
London’s Old Vic Theatre presents its second New York season of Old Vic New Voices: US/UK Exchange. Through this unique playwright exchange program, The Old Vic works with the NY theatre community to present the works of four gifted UK writers who have yet to be produced in the US.
For the 2004 Season Old Vic New Voices: US/UK Exchange has joined forces with three prominent Off-Broadway theatres – Atlantic Theater Company, Primary Stages and The New Group – in a collaboration unique to New York. Each company will host one of the British writers, and co-produce their readings with New York directors and actors affiliated with their own companies.
The four British writers for the 2004 season – Henry Adam, Debbie Tucker Green, Roy Williams and Michael Wynne – were selected by the Off-Broadway theatres from a shortlist created by Old Vic New Voices. Each writer will spend a week in New York, meeting the theatre community and working towards industry presentations of their work. All four have garnered serious praise in the UK for productions at leading theatres such as The National Theatre, The Royal Court, The Bush and The Traverse.
This Old Vic New Voices initiative is central to the famous London theatre’s new prominence under its Artistic Director Kevin Spacey and Chairman Sir Elton John, and affirms The Old Vic’s commitment to the cultivation of exciting new work on both sides of the Atlantic, for the benefit of both theatrical communities.
ABOUT THE PLAYS:
THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR by HENRY ADAM (produced in association with OVNV)
If the events of September 11th 2001 changed everybody’s life forever, somebody forgot to tell Nigel. With his TV, his X-box and his spliff, life seems as sweet as ever it was. Then maverick cop Phil kicks down Nigel’s door. His mission – to reunite Nigel with his estranged half-brother Karim, a terrorist on the run. The People Next Door is a seriously funny satire on the war on terror, race relations, junk culture and the value of good neighbours.
BORN BAD by DEBBIE TUCKER GREEN (produced in association with The New Group)
‘The bits don’t make the bulk and the bulk don’t mek the whole and the all a your bits together don’t make your versions true.’ Dawta wants the family to talk. But they have never talked like this before. Once this conversation starts, nobody leaves.
FALLOUT by ROY WILLIAMS (produced in association with Atlantic Theater Company)
When a huge reward is offered in return for information about the killing of a young black boy, a group of close friends on the estate face the biggest test of street loyalty in their young lives. Officer DC Joe Stephens must return to his old neighbourhood to investigate.
THE PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY by MICHAEL WYNNE (produced in association with Primary Stages)
After 12 years in London, Michelle has traded in her poky flat to move back to a large house in her hometown. Ready for a fresh start, she invites her family for a homecoming celebration, but the barbecue won’t light, the family hates stuffed vine leaves, her sister thinks there’s a ghost – and old conflicts resurface.
READINGS SCHEDULE:
TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2004
4pm THE PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY by Michael Wynne
7pm BORN BAD by Debbie Tucker Green
WEDNESDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2004
5pm BORN BAD by Debbie Tucker Green
7pm THE PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY by Michael Wynne
THURSDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2004
4pm THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR by Henry Adam
7pm FALLOUT by Roy Williams
FRIDAY 22ND OCTOBER 2004
4pm FALLOUT by Roy Williams
7pm THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR by Henry Adam
RSVPs are required for attendance.