London’s Royal Court Theatre has announced its reopening programme, running from 16 June to 18 December 2021.
Highlights include:
- seven methods of killing kylie jenner by Jasmine Lee-Jones
- The Song Project created by Chloe Lamford, Wende, Isobel Waller-Bridge and Imogen Knight
- Is God Is by Aleshea Harris
- What If If Only by Caryl Churchill
- Rare Earth Mettle by Al Smith
Royal Court Theatre artistic director Vicky Featherstone said: “After the huge success and collaborative adventure of Living Newspaper – when we made 98 films working with over 300 freelancers, reaching 46 countries and with audiences in their thousands we are now proud to be reopening our building with four pieces of work by eight writers which were all postponed by the sudden onset of the global pandemic. We are also thrilled to be announcing a new short play written at the height of this time, by Caryl Churchill.
“It is testament to the vision and questing of the playwrights and artists at the Royal Court, that the work programmed two years ago is still way ahead of its time. In fact, seeing through the new optics of our post-pandemic and ruptured world these pieces now seem more acute, more urgent and more universal than ever. The Royal Court was created in 1956 to be ahead of public taste and consciousness and if anything, this work proves that that mission is as alive now as it ever was.”
The Glow by Alistair McDowall, Purple Snowflakes and Titty Wanks by Sarah Hanly, A Fight Against… by Pablo Manzi and two Palestinians go dogging by Sami Ibrahim will be back in the first half of 2022.
seven methods of killing kylie jenner
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, 16 June to 27 July 2021 (Press night is 22 June)
Following its sold out premiere in 2019, Jasmine Lee-Jones’ award-winning play returns for a limited six-week run in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs performed by Tia Bannon and Leanne Henlon. Digital capture plans will follow in due course. Milli Bhatia directs.
The Song Project
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, 17-28 August 2021 (Press night is 20 August 2021)
Conceived by Royal Court associate designer Chloe Lamford and award-winning Dutch singer and composer Wende, in collaboration with composer Isobel Waller-Bridge, choreographer Imogen Knight and playwrights E.V. Crowe, Sabrina Mahfouz, Somalia Nonyé Seaton, Stef Smith and Debris Stevenson, The Song Project focuses on those moments in life where rationality feels irrelevant.
Is God Is
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, 10 September to 23 October 2021 (Press night is 16 September)
Aleshea Harris’ award-winning play collides the ancient, the modern, the tragic, the spaghetti Western, hip-hop and Afropunk.
Harris’ revenge tale about two women seeking justice and taking control of their own narratives, has received the Relentless Award and Obie Award for Playwriting. The UK premiere will be directed by Royal Court associate director Ola Ince. Casting to be announced.
What If If Only
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, 29 September to 23 October 2021 (Press night is 1 October)
Your partner has died – could things have been different? Many of Caryl Churchill’s plays which first premiered at the Royal Court are now considered modern classics including Top Girls, A Number and Far Away. James Macdonald directs. Running time is 14 minutes. Casting to be announced.
Rare Earth Mettle
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, 10 November to 18 December 2021 (Press night is 16 November)
Al Smith’s epic new play is a brutally comic exploration of risk, delusion and power. Hamish Pirie directs. Casting news to follow.
Three worlds collide on a Bolivian salt flat. A leading doctor, who has travelled from the UK, believes she can save the NHS, solve the British mental health crisis, and advance her career. A Silicon Valley billionaire, who has been watching the site from his satellites, believes he can save the world building affordable electric cars, and make millions of dollars in the process. And the indigenous community, who have preserved the land for generations, believe both visitors have propositions that could transform their futures. Each pursue their own ambitions, but which is the greatest good?
- In addition, Jerwood Theatre Upstairs will present Living Archive (dates to be announced), a series of events and bespoke interactive experiences that aims to resist the idea of ‘canon’ and instead bring attention to work which has been erased or not been brought to the attention of the theatre’s audiences. Series five of the Playwright’s Podcast has also been released in partnership with the Berliner Theatertreffen Stückemarkt. Theatr Clwyd’s forthcoming production of Isla by Tim Price will be a co-production with the Royal Court Theatre. It will run at Theatr Clwyd from 16 October to 6 November 2021.
