Bush Theatre News

Rehearsals have begun for Ayad Akhtar's 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning play 'Disgraced,' which begins previews June 8, opens June 19 and continues through July 17, 2016, at the Mark Taper Forum.

The Bush Theatre today announced a number of ways it will demonstrate the theatre's commitment to nurturing new writing at all levels, from emerging artists to established artists seeking to try something new. Its September production THIS PLACE WE KNOW will stage six new, specially commissioned plays by April de Angelis, Kenny Emson, Nancy Harris, Sabrina Mahfouz, Barney Norris and Gbolahan Obisesan, in various venues along on and around the Uxbridge Road in Shepherd's Bush. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

In Theatr Clwyd's 40th anniversary year, Artistic Director Tamara Harvey, today announces full casting for her Theatr Clwyd directorial debut production of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Harvey directs Lisa Palfrey in the role of Beatrice and John Ramm as Benedict. They are joined by David Bark-Jones, Jonathan Harden, Sian Howard, Nakay Kpaka, Steven Meo, Catherin Morris, Lowri Palfrey, Kerry Peers, and Sion Pritchard.

Last week, the Bush Theatre joined forces with theatre company Look Left Look Right to present devised original work THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PROJECT. Local Hammersmith & Fulham residents, who collaborated with writers Molly Taylor and Samuel Wood on the piece, performed four sold-out shows at the former BBC Television Centre building in Shepherd's Bush, attracting an audience with over a third local residents and over 15% students/under-26s.

The Trustees of the JMK Trust are happy to announce today that the winner of the 19th annual James Menzies-Kitchin Young Director Award is Roy Alexander Weise.

Pre-orders for the Menier Chocolate Factory production that transferred to the West End's Savoy Theatre are now being taken by Amazon.

A friendly reminder! Previews begin tonight for Irish Repertory Theatre's production of Conor McPherson's acclaimed play SHINING CITY, starring two-time Tony Award-winner Matthew Broderick. Directed by Ciaran O'Reilly, SHINING CITY also features Billy Carter (The Weir, Port Authority), Lisa Dwan (the acclaimed Beckett Trilogy), and James Russell (Port Authority, Juno and the Paycock).

Manhattan Theatre Club, in partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, announces the upcoming Sloan Panel Discussion on INCOGNITO, which will be held following tonight's May 17 performance of the play at MTC at New York City Center-Stage I (131 West 55th Street), and is open to anyone attending the evening's performance.

With its UK premiere earlier this year at The Drum, Theatre Royal Plymouth's fast-paced, hilarious and (slightly) bonkers Monster Raving Loony brings its party fun and punkish anarchy to Soho Theatre next month.  Opening tonight 17 May, Monster Raving Loony by James Graham will run until 18 June.

Manhattan Theatre Club, in partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, announces the upcoming Sloan Panel Discussion on INCOGNITO, which will be held following the Tuesday, May 17 performance of the play at MTC at New York City Center-Stage I (131 West 55th Street), and is open to anyone attending the evening's performance.

The Bush Theatre has been awarded a grant by the Leverhulme Trust to offer nine year-long bursaries of £10,000 each to BAMER associate artists - three playwrights, three directors and three producers - over the course of three years. Applications for the bursaries are invited now.

Inspired by the memoirs of a Muslim woman who fought for her independence at a turning point in Egypt's modern history, THIS TIME is a lush new play about regret, romance, and familial responsibility.

The Pearl Theatre Company has announced programming for the 2016-17 season. All four productions will take place at The Pearl Theater (555 West 42nd Street.)

The Belgrade Theatre is thrilled to present the UK premiere stage production of Wipers, a new play by Ishy Din inspired by the real life story of Khuddadad Khan, the first South Asian soldier to be awarded a Victoria Cross for his extraordinary bravery at the First Battle of Ypres.

Actors Touring Company, together with the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, is delighted to present the British premiere of Aeschylus' The Suppliant Women in a new version by internationally-renowned playwright David Greig. As the anticipated incoming Artistic Director of The Lyceum, Greig is also collaborating with ATC to reunite the world-class creative team behind the hugely acclaimedThe Events - director Ramin Gray and composer John Browne.

Center Theatre Group has announced casting for Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning play DISGRACED, which begins previews June 8, opens June 19 and continues through July 17, 2016, at the Mark Taper Forum. Directed by Kimberly Senior, the cast features J Anthony Crane, Behzad Dabu, Hari Dhillon, Karen Pittman and Emily Swallow.

Simon Stokes, Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Plymouth, today announces full cast for the London run of Monster Raving Loony. Samuel James reprises his role as Screaming Lord Sutch, alongside original cast members including Joseph Alessi, Joanna Brookes, Jack Brown, and composer/musician Tom Attwood and they are joined by Vivienne Acheampong who completes the cast for the London run. Set & Costume Design is by Bob Bailey with lighting design by Chahine Yavroyan, audio visual design by Duncan McLean and sound design by Gregory Clarke.  Guest Director is Cal McCrystal (with a trademark bravura farce contribution).

59E59 Theaters will host the US premiere of TOAST, written by Richard Bean and directed by Eleanor Rhode. Produced by Snapdragon Productions, in association with Jagged Fence Theatre for the 2016 Brits Off Broadway festival, TOAST begins performances today, April 20 for a limited engagement through Sunday, May 22.  Press opening is Today, April 27 at 7 PM. 

A summary of what's on in Edinburgh week beginning April 25th.

Right now, in the heart of Shepherds Bush, there is a rare opportunity to see a Quebecois play by award-winning playwright Catherin-Anne Toupin.