WOMAN IN THE DUNES, A HANDFUL OF STARS and More Set for Theatre503, Spring 2014

Battersea's new writing powerhouse - Theatre503 - announces a season of groundbreaking plays for spring 2014. Kicking off from the 14 January is an adaptation of Abe Kobo's 1962 Japanese novel WOMAN IN THE DUNES, followed by the previously announced world premiere of A WORLD ELSEWHERE by Times journalist Alan Franks - a thrilling play where Oxford University, Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War all collide. Full casting for A WORLD ELSEWHERE includes Michael Swatton (Maid of Bankside, Jermyn Street Theatre) as headstrong student Elliott, and Crispian Cartwright (Judgement at Nuremberg) and Oxford professor Mayhew.

Other highlights include: DOG DAYS, a dark comedy about love, loss and real estate by actress Annie Hulley, directed by Theatre503 Associate Artistic Director Lisa Cagnacci; The Labfest 2012 hit OCCUPIED by award-winning writer Carla Grauls, where two Romanian immigrants kidnap an Englishman to learn how to be English; and finally Artistic Director Paul Robinson directs 2014's SECOND LOOK production - a revisit of Billy Roche's 1988 play A HANDFUL OF STARS (Forming part of the Wexford Trilogy after its original premiere).

Theatre503 - 2014 Spring Season:

14 - 18 January

Theatre503 and Kagami Theatre present

WOMAN IN THE DUNES based on the original novel by Abe Kobo and adapted by Micha Colombo

An adaptation of the classic 1962 Japanese novel by Abe Kobo. When local villagers offer a stranded insect-collector a bed for the night, he is grateful for their hospitality, until it turns out to be a shack at the bottom of a deep pit of sand, alongside a mysterious woman.

Kagami Theatre was established in 2013 as a vehicle to bring Japanese and broader East Asian stories to UK audiences.

Cast: Felix O'Brien, Roslyn Paterson and Niall Kerrigan

Director: Misha Colombo

Designer: Lauren Cameron

Lighting Designer: Simon Gethin Jones

Sound Designer: Alan Stones

22 January - 15 February

Theatre503 and World Elsewhere Productions present

A WORLD ELSEWHERE by Alan Franks

Press Night: Friday 24 January 2014 at 7.45pm

1968. The world is in uproar. Industrial chaos, Vietnam, Nixon on the threshold of The White House. Amidst the dreaming spires of Oxford University a girl is losing her heart to a brilliant young American with a dark secret. This is a scorching study of old politics and young love set during an unforgettable moment in modern history, as the old world tangles lethally with the new.

Alan Franks is a former journalist for the Times and was a student at Oxford with Bill Clinton. His latest novel, The Notes of Dr. Newgate, was a Guardian Book of the Week in November 2013.

Cast: Crispian Cartwright, Steffan Donnelly, Dan Van Garrett, Sophia Sivan and Michael Swatton.

Director: Sally Knyvette

Designer: Sarah Jane Booth

25 February - 22 March

Theatre503 and Anchra Productions present

DOG DAYS by Annie Hulley

Press Night: Friday 28 February 2014 at 7.45pm

What do you do when your world turns upside down? Cate and John's marriage has hit the rocks. Now they're trapped in a nightmarish limbo while they struggle to sell the family home. When a rather unusual young couple fall in love with the house, it looks like the answer to their prayers - but be careful what you wish for... A wickedly dark comedy about love, loss and real estate.

Dog Days is Annie Hulley's debut stage play. She has worked extensively as an actor and previously written for television (winning places on the Eastenders Writers Academy and Carlton Comedy Screenwriters course).

Cast: TBC

Director: Lisa Cagnacci

1 April - 26 April

Theatre503 and Hurlyburly Theatre Company present

OCCUPIED by Carla Grauls

Press Night: Friday 24 April at 7.45pm

Driven by a desire for belonging, two Romanian immigrants kidnap an Englishman to learn how to be English. Set in a derelict Victorian public toilet, OCCUPIED is a darkly comic play about identity in crises.

Carla Grauls is a multi-award winning writer who currently holds the Nick Darke Award 2013 and previously won the 2009 Euroscript Screen Story Competition.

Cast: TBC

Director: Anna Mors

Designer: Petra Hjortsberg

30 April - 24 May

Theatre503 presents

A HANDFUL OF STARS by Billy Roche

Press Night: Friday 2 May at 7.45pm

First performed in 1988 Billy Roche's A HANDFUL OF STARS is a searing look as the pain and disillusionment following the break-up of a family.

The play was first presented as a stand alone in 1988, and then revived as part of the Wexford Trilogy at the Bush Theatre. The production forms the next instalment of Theatre503's SECOND LOOK series following from the success of THE LIFE OF STUFF early in 2013.

Cast: TBC

Director: Paul Robinson

Designer: Signe Beckmann

Composer: Simon Slater

Theatre503 is located at 503 Battersea Park Road, SW11 3BW. Times: 7.45pm Tuesday to Saturday, 5pm Sundays. Tickets: Woman in the Dunes £12 (£10 Concessions), All other shows £15 (£10 Concessions). Season Deal (A World Elsewhere, Dog Days, Occupied and A Handful of Stars): All 4 for £40, 3 shows for £33, and 2 shows for £24.

Tube: Sloane Square then bus 319, South Kensington then bus 49 or 345, Vauxhall then bus 344. Train: 15 minutes walk from Clapham Junction (5 mins from Victoria or 7 mins from Waterloo) or take Grant Road exit, then bus 49, 319, 344 or 345. Bus: 44, 49, 319, 344, 345 all stop outside the Latchmere. Box Office: 020 7978 7040. Website: www.theatre503.com. Follow Theatre503 on Twitter @Theatre503 and like on Facebook www.facebook.com/theatre503.