THEATRE UNCUT, Collection of Political Plays by Neil LaBute & More, to Play the Young Vic, Nov 13-17

A collection of new political plays by writers from across the globe including Neil LaBute (USA), Mohammad Al Attar (Syria), David Greig (UK) and Lena Kitsopoulou (Greece) available for anyone to perform anywhere in an international week of theatrical action.
The flagship performances will be held at the Young Vic from the 13th to 17th November.

Theatre Uncut was established in 2011 in response to cuts in UK public spending. Plays by the UK’s leading playwrights were made available through the company website and a total of 87 performances were held simultaneously across the UK, USA, Germany and Ireland in theatres, community centres, universities, schools, in people’s houses and on the streets. Over 800 people were involved.

This year playwrights from Greece, Syria, Spain the US, Iceland and the UK have penned short dramatic responses to the political and economic challenges facing their own countries, tackling a range of issues including the Eurozone crisis, the state of global capitalism, the effects of austerity and the Occupy movement. Participants are free to curate these plays to create their own unique Theatre Uncut events. To find out where these performances are taking place across the world, visit www.theatreuncut.com.

Co-Artistic Director Emma Callander: “Theatre Uncut was created to raise debate and galvanise action around political issues that affect all of our lives. We do this by making our plays available to as many people as possible. We feel honored to be working with writers of such high calibre and it thrills me that performances of these powerful short plays will be happening simultaneously across the world, from Scarborough to South Africa. With the continued cuts to public services in the UK, against a landscape of civil unrest and enforced austerity across the world, the need to speak out in resistance is stronger now than ever before.”

The Theatre Uncut 2012 plays include:

A Chance Encounter by Mohammad Al Attar (Syria)
Tensions rise as a young Syrian activist confronts an elderly businessman on the chaotic streets of Beirut.

Spine by Clara Brennan (UK)
As cuts force the closure of libraries across the nation, one playwright considers the high cost for future generations.

The Birth of My Violence by Marco Canale (Spain)
A meditation on theatre's relationship to the burning passion that drives an act of protest.

Dead Point by Blanca Doménech (Spain)
Is today the day to walk away from it all? An office worker in Spain reaches breaking point.

Dalgety by David Greig (UK)
Activist Stephen Gough - known as the 'Naked Rambler' - was recently re-arrested for breaching the peace. David Greig’s play asks why.

London 2012 : Glasgow by Kieran Hurley (UK)
Did you inspire a generation? A raucous satire on the marketing machine behind the Olympics.

The Price by Lena Kitsopoulou (Greece)
A searing Greek comedy set in a world of extreme austerity where absolutely everything has its price.

In the Beginning by Neil LaBute (US)
As Occupy movements spring up across the globe, one of America's leading playwrights questions our passion for holding on to what we believe in.

The Breakout by Anders Lustgarten (UK)
A brick falls out of a cell wall offering the inmates a view of the great advantages of being on the outside...

Indulge by Andri Snær Magnason and Thorleifur Örn Arnarsson (Iceland)
As banks collapse and credit is crunched, this surreal Icelandic comedy reinvents values in the banking world.

250 Words by Stef Smith (UK)
In July London was shocked when a businessman took his life on the roof of an art gallery. But when news coverage distils a life into just 250 words, can it ever be the full story?

Blondie by Hayley Squires (UK)
With the coalition government a distant memory, the new leader is brought to trial for crimes against humanity.

Yesterday by Helena Tornero (Spain)
Amidst the chaos of a Spanish protest a couple realise their loyalty is more divided than they thought possible.

Details of three more brand new plays will be made available in late October.

Theatre Uncut is a voluntary organization with all profits going to charity.

The program will run 13 – 17 November 2012 at the Young Vic, The Clare. Tickets: £8 (£5 concessions). Box office: www.youngvic.org / 020 7922 2922.

Performances: 7:30pm (2:30pm matinee on Sat 17 Nov):
Tue 13 Nov – including plays by David Greig and Lena Kitsopoulou
Wed 14 Nov – including plays by Neil LaBute and Mohammad Al Attar
Thu 15 Nov – including plays by David Greig and Lena Kitsopoulou
Fri 16 Nov – including plays by Neil LaBute and Mohammad Al Attar
Sat 17 Nov (mat) – including plays by Neil LaBute and Mohammad Al Attar
Sat 17 Nov – including plays by David Greig and Lena Kitsopoulou

Each evening’s programme will comprise of a selection of short plays from Theatre Uncut 2012 playwrights. There will also be a chance to discuss the issues in the plays with special guests at the end of the performance.

For further information, visit: www.theatreuncut.com.

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