The Ambassador Theatre Group: Press: Press Releases
Press Releases
Issued : 21 August 2006
Trafalgar Studios, London’s most exciting new theatre venue, has announced its brand new autumn/winter season, offering the best variety of dynamic and innovative theatre in the West End.
Operated by Ambassador Theatre Group, Trafalgar Studios attracts a wider audience to the West End by offering theatre that is uniquely fresh, stimulating and challenging. It is also a gateway for diverse and ground-breaking work that may not otherwise have the opportunity to play in central London.
Opening the new season at the 400-seat Studio 1 is the much-anticipated BENT (22 September 2006 – 13 January 2007). This classic play is being redefined for a new generation by the exciting young director Daniel Kramer and stars Alan Cumming.
Continuing its vision to support fresh and cutting-edge work, the intimate 100-seat Studio 2 launches its new season with Nina Raine’s debut play RABBIT (5th September – 7th October). Friends and former lovers meet for a drink to celebrate Bella’s 29th birthday, but as the Bloody Marys flow, the bar soon turns into a battlefield… This funny and tender play, shortlisted for the Verity Bargate Award, enjoyed a sell-out premiere at the Old Red Lion Theatre earlier this year.
Eric Bogosian’s NOTES FROM UNDERGROUND comes to Studio 2 from 10th October – 4th November, performed by Will Adamsdale, recent winner of a Fringe First Award for The Receipt and winner of the 2004 Perrier Award for Jackson’s Way. A tale from the city’s edge, Will takes us on a darkly captivating journey filled with stolen cars, sleeping pills, kitchen knives and cheddar cheese crackers. Eric Bogosian is one of America’s most celebrated writers and performers.
Stephen MacDonald’s critically-acclaimed NOT ABOUT HEROES (7th – 18th November) is a moving celebration of two of England’s greatest twentieth century poets, Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen, who met in Craiglockhart War Hospital during World War One.
GATES OF GOLD (21st November – 16th December), written by Frank McGuinness and starring William Gaunt, explores the nature of love and a unique partnership between two men – one a great actor approaching the end of his life and the other, an eminent director. This passionate, witty and moving play is inspired by the true story of two of Ireland’s greatest artistic figures – Hilton Edwards and Michael MacLiammoir – founders of the Gate Theatre in Dublin. It offers a fascinating glimpse of two lives devoted to each other and the theatre they founded.
Following their outstanding success with A Christmas Carol last year, Horla makes a welcome return to Studio 2 with their sixth – and final – Christmas show, GRIMMS (20th December 2006 – 6th January 2007). Enter a world of horror, mystery and fun where all manner of strange characters tell a variety of tales. GRIMMS is perfect family entertainment to brighten up those dark winter nights!
Studio 2 kicks off 2007 with the award-winning BASH (10th January – 3rd February), a collection of three darkly brilliant one-act plays, each giving unblinking portraits of the complexities of evil in everyday life. BASH is directed by Tamara Harvey, one of London’s most exciting new directors, whose recent West End credits include The Graduate and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
Finally, the pioneering and dynamic LATER season is back at Studio 2, produced by Paines Plough. LATER sees a celebrated playwright take to the stage and invite other playwrights to collaborate with them. The result is a surprising, intimate and eclectic evening of new work by emerging and established playwrights.
Booking information:
Box Office: 0870 060 6632
On-line: www.theambassadors.com/trafalgarstudios
ENDS
Notes for editors:
The £750k redevelopment of Trafalgar Studios began in May 2004 with the opening of the 400-seat Studio 1, with a sell-out run of the RSC’s Othello starring Anthony Sher. The intimate 100-seat Studio 2 was opened last November, thanks to a generous donation by entrepreneur and patron of the arts, Christina Smith.
Ambassador Theatre Group is currently the largest theatre group in the West End and the second largest in the UK, with a total of 24 venues.
For more information, please contact John Chittenden, Group Press Officer ATG, on 020 8545 7919 or email johnchittenden@theambassadors.com