THEATRE UNCUT Returns To Young Vic, Nov 19-23, Featuring LaBute

'Do we all get more right wing in hard times?'

This is the provocation at the heart of this year's Theatre Uncut as it returns to the Young Vic for the second year running with five brand new plays. The flagship London event will feature a new play from comedian and political activist Mark Thomas, a dark satire from Theatre Uncut regular Neil LaBute, a devised piece by Rachel Chavkin from the TEAM, as well as new plays from rising stars Tim Price, Kieran Hurley and Clara Brennan.

Theatre Uncut is a ground-breaking model created to get people thinking, talking and taking action. The idea is simple: established and emerging playwrights are asked to write short plays in response to the current political climate. These scripts are then made available for anyone to download and perform anywhere.

It began in 2011 in response to public spending cuts, and to date over 3000 people have performed Theatre Uncut plays in theatres, community centres, schools, universities and on the streets in 17 countries across 4 continents. The plays have scooped Fringe First Awards for two years running, and the 2012 season was shortlisted for an Amnesty International Freedom of Speech Award at the Edinburgh Fringe.

This year Co-Artistic Directors Emma Callander and Hannah Price will direct five of the brand new collection of plays at the Young Vic. This London run is the cornerstone in Theatre Uncut's month of protest in November when all of the new plays will be available for people to download and perform, not just in the UK, but anywhere in the world.

Co-Artistic Director Emma Callander: "Three years ago the austerity measures were announced and thousands of people were out on the streets fighting for their rights. Now, as we see the brutal effects of the reforms to the welfare, education and health systems, public protest is more scarce. Is there a sense of defeat or are we getting more right wing in hard times? We feel it's more important now than ever to make our voices heard, continue to question the morality of the current system and find ways to create a fairer world together."

The question 'Do we all get more right wing in hard times?', the question that came out of Theatre Uncut's public consultation on 1 May 2013, became the starting point for this year's plays.

They are:

Capitalism is Crisis by Tim Price

Two worlds collide when a banker discovers the power of Occupy and an activist discovers the power of money.

Amanda by Kieran Hurley

Submerged by daily pressures, a politician reflects on how tough decisions are made when the stakes are high.

Pick One by Neil LaBute

Three middle-agEd White guys come up with controversial way to solve America's problems - off the record.

Church Forced To Put Up Gates After Font Is Used As Wash Basin By Migrants by Mark Thomas

A darkly humorous tale of a right-wing newspaper owner who finds himself in a compromising position when some disgruntled readers decide to pay him a visit.

The Wing by Clara Brennan

A father and daughter square off over Page Three and the English Defence League as their wildly different reactions to austerity are revealed.

The Recipe by Rachel Chavkin

A recipe of theatrical provocations by Rachel Chavkin of the TEAM. Each night a different emerging company will devise and perform their version of The Recipe.

Theatre Uncut listings information: 19 - 23 November 2013

Young Vic, The Maria

Performances: 8pm (3pm matinee on Sat 23 Nov) Post-show discussions after each performance. Speakers tbc.

Tickets: £8 (£5 concessions)

Box office: www.youngvic.org / 020 7922 2922

For further information please visit: www.theatreuncut.com