39 AND COUNTING Will Be Performed at Park Theatre Next Month

Aiming to dispel myths around violence against women, 39 and Counting features ten characters who loved women that were killed by men. They are the brothers, sisters, best friends, nieces, nephews and cousins of the deceased whose lives have been disrupted and torn apart by violence. Written by Shireen Mula (Why is the Sky Blue? Southwark Playhouse) and directed by Gemma Aked-Priestley (My Dad's Blind, Abbey Theatre/Irish Tour), it's performed by the graduates of the Oxford School of Drama One-Year Acting Course.

Ten characters navigating their way through the trauma. Wanting justice to be done, the grief to end and to reach a place of acceptance. To feel in control again. This shattering new play puts the violence we do not speak about absolutely centre stage.

Shireen Mula said, "In April 2021, when I started writing this play, 39 women had been killed in the UK this year by men. Today we're at 92 women killed. 39 and Counting addresses femicide head-on; drawing attention to a culture that allows and enables it."

The Oxford School of Drama is a world-leading conservatoire providing professional actor training in the form of a Three Year and One Year Course in addition to a Foundation Course. Graded 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, their courses are accredited by Trinity College, London who identified them as an 'Exemplary Provider' in 2013. They are recognised by industry around the world and boast successful alumni including writers, directors, filmmakers and actors. With their training, the hope is that all students with talent and commitment, no matter what their background, are given important skills to take forward for life and that they can not only be part of the industry but help shape it.

Park Theatre presents exceptional theatre in the heart of Finsbury Park, boasting two world-class performance spaces: Park200 for predominantly larger scale productions by established talent, and Park90, a flexible studio space, for emerging artists. In eight years, it has enjoyed eight West End transfers (including Daytona starring Maureen Lipman, The Boys in the Band starring Mark Gatiss, Pressure starring David Haig and The Life I Lead starring Miles Jupp), two National Theatre transfers, twenty-five national tours, four Olivier Award nominations, has won Offie Awards for Best New Play and Best Foodie Experience and won a Theatre of the Year award from The Stage. Park Theatre are grateful to all those who have donated to the Park Life fund, supporting the venue through the pandemic.

Cast: Coline Atterbury, Chelsea Bondzanga, Giulio Cavazzini, Charlie Collinson, Charlie Coombes-Roberts, Lorna Dale, Freddie Dennis, Grainne Dromgoole, Imogen Gibb, Billy Gurney, Adam Jessop,Chris Moore, Olivia Nielsen, Jade-Olivia Patrick, Bella Rose, Kate Tulloch, Ned Wakeley, Edward Wheatley.

Performances run 8th-11th September.

www.parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/39-and-counting

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