Former Donmar Warehouse Resident Assistant Directors Hamish Pirie, Abbey Wright and Paul Hart will each be given a chance to direct in the West End as part of the new Donmar Trafalgar season at the Trafalgar Studio 2.
Pirie is to direct Salt, Root And Roe, a new play by Tim Price, while Wright and Hart will direct revivals of Conor McPherson’s Dublin Carol and Sartre’s Huis Clos.
The trio of directors have a tough act to follow as last year’s season included Chris Rolls’s production of Les Parents Terribles, which went on to receive an Olivier Award nomination.
Price’s Salt, Root And Roe, which opens the season in November, is a tale of aging twins who are devoted to each other. Becoming more fragile every day they come to a desperate decision.
Dublin Carol, which follows in December, is an intense drama centred on John, whose life and family have been destroyed by drink. When his estranged daughter reappears with disturbing news, it offers him a chance to lift the burden of the past.
The season is closed by Huis Clos, Sartre’s story of three people left alone in a locked room, which runs in January. The existential masterpiece finds the imprisoned threesome considering their earthly actions and what may follow.
Speaking about the new season, Michael Grandage, Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, said: “Encouraging and nurturing directors of the future has been an important part of the Donmar’s work since the Resident Assistant Director’s scheme started over 15 years ago. It has produced many important directors including my successor, Josie Rourke, who takes over as Artistic Director next year. I am delighted to announce today the second residency at Trafalgar Studios following the success of last year’s Olivier-nominated inaugural season. This three-year commitment will see nine emerging directors create work with young designers and offer audiences the opportunity to engage with challenging and exciting work outside our Covent Garden home.”
The Trafalgar Studio 2 is currently home to transatlantic three-hander Precious Little Talent, which runs until 30 April, when it is followed by Irish Blood, English Heart, a tale of two brothers meeting in a mysterious lock-up following the death of their estranged father.
MA