The Tricycle Theatre has announced a new season of offerings including an adaptation of Ben Hur from the team behind The 39 Steps and the world premiere of Marcus Gardley’s Tartuffe-inspired A Wolf In Snakeskin Shoes.
Award-winning playwright Gardley will return to the Kilburn venue following his 2014 hit The House That Will Not Stand to collaborate for the second time with Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham on A Wolf In Snakeskin Shoes.
The wicked new comic adaptation of Molière’s Tartuffe will play from 8 October to 14 November. Set in a world of millionaires and mega-churches, it follows multi-millionaire Archibald Organdy, who with just days to live, rejects costly experimental treatment in order that he might face his end surrounded by his family, only to be given new hope by a devout healer.
A Wolf In Snakeskin Shoes will be followed into the venue by another adaptation, as Patrick Barlow brings his new version of historical epic Ben Hur to the capital’s stage from 19 November to 9 January following its forthcoming run at the Watermill Theatre.
The production reunites playwright Barlow with producers Fiery Angel following their work together on current long-running hit The 39 Steps, which opened at the Tricycle Theatre in 2006 before transferring to the West End.
In the style of the fast-paced comic caper currently playing at the Criterion Theatre, Ben Hur will be brought to life on stage by a team of just four actors, who between them have the challenging feat of portraying a staggering 12,059 characters.
Billed as “One of the most authentic versions of ancient Rome ever seen”, the adaptation of General Lew Wallace’s timeless classic promises a 103% bona fide chariot race featuring real chariots, a sea battle with real water and a decadent and unexpurgated Roman orgy that is suitable for all ages.
The adaptations will open at the Tricycle Theatre following a month of comedy, which sees Sean Hughes, Mark Thomas and Shazia Mirza take to the stage, and Ravi and Asha Jain present A Brimful Of Asha for a limited run at the venue.
A Brimful Of Asha (8 to 19 September) tells the poignant true story of a generational and cultural clash, and follows Ravi’s journey to India as his parents decide it’s the perfect time to introduce him to potential brides.
Writer and comedian Thomas brings Bravo Figaro!, the true tale of a self-employed builder’s love of opera, to the venue from 2 to 5 September, followed by Hughes’ Mumbo Jumbo (22 to 30 September) and Mirza’s New Work (24 September to 3 October).
Also announced today are a day of intimate concerts by violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen (20 December) and NW6, a new writer development programme that will see the Tricycle Theatre support five writers – Hassan Abdulrazzak, Zodwa Nyoni, Chino Odimba, Sam Potter and Francis Turnly – in creating ambitious new plays offering a rich range of perspectives in British drama.
For full details about the new season, visit the Tricycle Theatre’s website.