Ned Bennett News

See Current Standings In The 2017 BroadwayWorld UK Awards; Cast Your Vote!

Today, the shortlist is announced for the 2017 BroadwayWorld UK Awards, celebrating the best long-running West End productions and best new productions from around the country. CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

An Octoroon is a person who has one-eighth black heritage. In 1850s Louisiana, that meant they are automatically unclean and, ultimately, a slave. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins radically reimagines Dion Boucicault's 1859 play based upon a tragic and rather melodramatic love story between white plantation owner George and his uncle's illegitimate daughter Zoe. Entwined in this is the apparent financial ruin of the plantation, which leads to a series of racially motivated violent events.

Brenton Brown has never known his parents. A brutal feud with the killer Terry Flynn has scarred him for life. As a care leaver living in a hostel he craves the support of a family. But when he meets his mother and his beautiful half-sister, his life changes forever. Reggae and soul music suffuse the fabric of the story and the rumblings of the Brixton riots threaten to burst.

Brenton Brown has never known his parents. A brutal feud with the killer Terry Flynn has scarred him for life. As a care leaver living in a hostel he craves the support of a family. But when he meets his mother and his beautiful half-sister, his life changes forever. Reggae and soul music suffuse the fabric of the story and the rumblings of the Brixton riots threaten to burst.

Following a critically acclaimed sell-out run at Pleasance Edinburgh this August, Anna Haigh Productions' THIS WILL END BADLY transfers to Southwark Playhouse for its London premiere for four weeks this January 2016. The production is written by Rob Hayes (Awkward Conversations with Animals I've F*cked) and directed by Clive Judd (Little Malcolm and his Struggle Against the Eunuchs, Captain Amazing). It stars Ben Whybrow (Punchdrunk's The Drowned Man, RSC).

Following a critically acclaimed sell-out run at Pleasance Edinburgh this August, Anna Haigh Productions' THIS WILL END BADLY transfers to Southwark Playhouse for its London premiere for four weeks this January 2016. The production is written by Rob Hayes (Awkward Conversations with Animals I've F*cked) and directed by Clive Judd (Little Malcolm and his Struggle Against the Eunuchs, Captain Amazing). It stars Ben Whybrow (Punchdrunk's The Drowned Man, RSC).

UK Theatre has announced the winners of the UK Theatre Awards 2015 - the only awards to honour outstanding achievement in performing, producing and management in theatres throughout the United Kingdom.

·         In 2016 the Royal Court Theatre celebrates its 60th birthday by looking towards the future. The new season includes six world premieres, five UK and worldwide collaborations, one European premiere, a major collaboration with LIFT, a partnership with Picturehouse Cinemas, the return of Open Court and ongoing work in Tottenham and Pimlico.

The nominations for the UK Theatre Awards 2015 have now been announced. The Awards will be presented on Sunday 18 October, and details of the compere for the event and other special guests will be announced in due course.

Simon Bird will play Zack, Marek Larwood will play Mr Popov (etc) and Ciaran Owens will play Ivan in the world premiere of The Crocodile at Manchester International Festival. 

Manchester International Festival launches the programme for the 2015 event (today 2 - Sunday 19 July), which celebrates a decade of the world's only festival of original new work. The programme includes world premieres, unique concerts and one-off events, including a number of free events across the festival.

Simon Bird will play Zack, Marek Larwood will play Mr Popov (etc) and Ciaran Owens will play Ivan in the world premiere of The Crocodile at Manchester International Festival. 

Manchester International Festival announces the programme for the 2015 event (Thursday 2 - Sunday 19 July), which celebrates a decade of the world's only festival of original new work. The programme includes world premieres, unique concerts and one-off events, including a number of free events across the festival.

The UK premiere of Superior Donuts by the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright Tracy Letts will run in The Little at Southwark Playhouse from tonight, 11 February - Saturday 8 March. Press night is Friday 14 February at 7.30pm.

Final casting and a full list of creatives is announced for the UK premiere of Superior Donuts by the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright Tracy Letts, which will run in The Little at Southwark Playhouse from Tuesday 11 February - Saturday 8 March. Press night is Friday 14 February at 7.30pm.

The team behind the critically acclaimed West End revival of Philip Ridley's Mercury Fur are to present the UK premiere of Superior Donuts by the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright Tracy Letts. Directed by Ned Bennett and produced by The Trick (formerly known as Greenhouse Theatre Company) and Sarah Stribley Productions, Superior Donuts will run in The Little at Southwark Playhouse from Tuesday 11 February - Saturday 8 March.

A BUTCHER OF DISTINCTION is immediately transferring to the King's Head Theatre in Islington to continue its season, after the sudden closure of The Cock Tavern Theatre. Resident company OperaUpClose has made scheduling changes to its opera rep season to accommodate this important new work. Rob Hayes, the 25-year-old award-winning playwright, made his London debut at The Cock Tavern Theatre this month with the World Premiere of A BUTCHER OF DISTINCTION, also published by Oberon Books.

At the Cock we've always said that size doesn't matter. However, we found out today from Brent Council (during negotiations toextend the venue's entertainment licence) that our Victorian staircases don't meet the current regulations. They are too steep and too short.

Rob Hayes, the 25-year-old award-winning playwright, makes his London debut at The Cock Tavern Theatre with the World Premiere of A BUTCHER OF DISTINCTION, offering a journey in to the bizarre and grotesque world of this young and extraordinarily talented young mind.