Complicite’s acclaimed family stage adaptation of Lionboy will transfer to the Tricycle Theatre this Christmas as part of a season that also includes a revival of Sam Shepard’s True West, the return of Mark Thomas and the UK premiere of The House That Will Not Stand.
Describing the season in today’s announcement as reflecting “a local theatre with an international vision”, Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham recognised that the new season will continue what has already been a hugely successful year for the Kilburn theatre following a West End transfer and Olivier Award win for hit comedy Handbagged and the Broadway transfer of its critically acclaimed Red Velvet.
Director Phillip Breen will kick things off with the revival of his acclaimed production of True West from 4 September (press night 9 September) to 4 October that was first seen at Scotland’s Citizen’s Theatre in 2013.
Starring UK Theatre Award winner Alex Ferns (Coyote On A Fence) and Red Velvet’s Eugene O’Hare, the legendary playwright’s modern classic tells the story of Austin, an earnest screenwriter on the verge of success.
House-sitting for his mother in LA while working on a love story for a Hollywood producer, Austin’s life is interrupted by an unexpected visit from his drifter brother Lee. When Lee goes behind Austin’s back to pitch his own story to the producer, the pair finds themselves forced to work together on Lee’s trashy Western tale. But with mistrust and jealousy bubbling under the surface, their own flaws threaten to get in the way.
Rubasingham will follow the drama to direct another American play, Marcus Gardley’s The House That Will Not Stand, from 9 October (press night 17 October) to 22 November.
Filled with desire, jealousy, murder and voodoo, Gardley’s bewitching 1836-set piece tells the story of Beartrice, the wealthiest black woman in New Orleans. When her white husband mysteriously dies, the foundations of freedom she has built for herself and their three unwed daughters begins to crumble as society changes and racial divides grow.
Putting politics centre stage, activist and comedian Thomas will follow one-man shows at the Tricycle including Bravo Figaro! and The Manifesto to present Cuckooed, the true story of how Britain’s biggest arms manufacturer came to spy on a comedian, from 1 to 13 December.
Bringing 2014 to a close is innovative theatre company Complicite’s stage adaptation of Zizou Corder’s hugely popular story Lionboy.
Playing over the festive period from 17 December (press night 18 December) to 10 January, Lionboy was created in 2013 by the company behind renowned adult theatre shows including The Master And Margarita, A Disappearing Number and Shun-kin as its first ever family show.
Directed for the Tricycle Theatre by Clive Mendus with James Yeatman following its successful Unicorn Theatre run and nationwide tour, the show for children aged eight and older combines an exciting mix of storytelling, circus and live percussion to retell the popular story of a boy who must save his parents with the help of a floating circus and its pride of performing lions.
The autumn/winter season follows the Tricycle Theatre’s current drama Circles and this summer’s forthcoming world premiere of The Colby Sisters Of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.