Bush Theatre's THE ROYALE to Open This Autumn at the Tabernacle

The Bush Theatre's production of The Royale by Marco Ramirez will open at the Tabernacle in Notting Hill in November. The Royale returns following the UK premiere and sell-out run in spring 2015 and will again be directed by the Bush Theatre's Artistic Director Madani Younis. Previews begin on 3 November with Press Night on 8 November.

Patrick Drury joins the previously announced cast as Max. Jude Akuwudike, Franc Ashman and Martins Imhangbe complete the cast with Nicholas Pinnock, who plays Jay 'The Sport' Jackson - the first black heavyweight boxing champion of the world.

Written by award-winning American writer Marco Ramirez (Sons of Anarchy, Orange is the New Black), The Royale runs from 3 to 26 November. The production will be staged at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill as the Bush Theatre undergoes a major redevelopment of its building. The venue, a former church, swinging sixties hang-out, community centre and, more recently, a training ground for young boxers, continues to host amateur boxing matches to this day.

Jay 'The Sport' Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it's 1905 and, in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out.

Told in six rounds and set in a boxing ring, The Royale is inspired by the often overlooked story of Jack Johnson, a boxer who - at the height of the Jim Crow era - became the most famous and the most notorious black man on Earth.

Through the sights and sounds of the early 20th century boxing circuit, The Royale examines society's relationship with our present-day cultural heroes and the responsibilities that are thrust upon them when they find themselves outside of the ropes.

The Royale is loosely based on the real-life story of Jack Johnson, whose story is one of great talent and triumph, but also racism and injustice. Despite Johnson being one of the greatest fighters who had ever lived, one newspaper wrote at the time of his first title fight: "If the black man wins, thousands and thousands of his ignorant brothers will misinterpret his victory as justifying claims to much more than mere physical equality with their white neighbors."

Patrick Drury will play Max. Drury's previous stage credits include Strange Interlude (National Theatre), Widower's House (Orange Tree Theatre), Ghosts (Rose Theatre and touring), 27 (National Theatre Scotland), Democracy (Sheffield Crucible and Old Vic) and 66 Books - Concerning Faith (Bush Theatre). For television he has appeared in Ripper Street and The Crown.

This Place We Know, the Bush Theatre's current season of work, is currently running on the Uxbridge Road, until 15 October. The programme of work will see six world premieres of specially commissioned plays produced in six borrowed, non-theatre spaces across Shepherd's Bush.

The Bush is a world-famous home for new plays and an internationally renowned champion of playwrights. We discover, nurture and produce the best new playwrights from the widest range of backgrounds, and present their work to the highest possible standards. We look for exciting new voices that tell contemporary stories with wit, style and passion and we champion work that is both provocative and entertaining.

The Bush has produced hundreds of groundbreaking premieres since its inception in 1972, many of them Bush commissions, and hosted guest productions by leading companies and artists from across the world. The Bush is widely acclaimed as the seedbed for the best new playwrights, many of whom have gone on to become established names. The Bush has won over 100 awards, and developed an enviable reputation for touring its acclaimed productions nationally and internationally. For more information, visit www.bushtheatre.co.uk.

Madani Younis took over as Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre in 2012. In 2016 he announced the largest redevelopment in the theatre's history and launched a season of work taking place outside of the building, in the local community. In 2013 he won the Groucho Club Maverick Award for the theatre, following the most successful season in the theatre's history which played to 99% capacity. For the Bush Theatre, Madani has directed Zaida and Aadam, The Royale, Perseverance Drive and Chalet Lines.

Prior to his appointment at the Bush Theatre, he was Artistic Director of Freedom Studios in Bradford, Yorkshire where his work included the site-specific work, The Mill - City of Dreams. He has also worked nationally and internationally as a theatre director, writer and practitioner. Whilst at Freedom Studios he collaborated with the Bush Theatre through workshops culminating in Freedom's two week residency in 2010 at the theatre. He was previously Director of Red Ladder Theatre Company's Asian Theatre School.

He originally trained in film, and his debut short film Ellabellapumpanella, commissioned by the UK Film Council, was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2007. He was the recipient of the Decibel Award at the South Bank Awards show in 2006.

IF YOU GO:

3 - 26 November, 2016
THE ROYALE
By Marco Ramirez
Directed by Madani Younis
Press night 8 November, 7pm
Designed by Jaimie Todd

The Tabernacle
34-35 Powis Square, London, W11 2AY
Box Office: 020 8743 5050 / bushtheatre.co.uk

Performance times:
Mon to Sat at 7.30pm
2.30pm Saturday matinees

Audio described performance
2.30pm Sat 19 November

Captioned performance
7.30pm, Fri 25 November

Ticket prices:

Ringside Seats: £25

Standard evenings: £20 - £25
• £15 concessions (registered unemployed and disabled)
• £17.50 for senior citizens
• £15 for students/under 26s

Standard previews: £15 - £25
• £12.50 concessions (registered unemployed and disabled)
• £12.50 for senior citizens
• £12.50 for students/under 26s

Standard matinees: £15 - £25
• £12.50 concessions (registered unemployed and disabled)
• £12.50 for students/under 26s
• £12.00 for Senior Citizens

Balcony tickets (please note these tickets are unreserved):
• Evenings £15
• Matinees £12.50

Offers*

Live or work locally - Join our free local membership scheme Bush Local for ticket discounts and more. For more information and to become a member, visit bushtheatre.co.uk

Educational Groups - Discounts are available for school and education groups of 10+. To reserve tickets, please call the Box Office between 12 - 8pm.

Bush Connect scheme - A free membership scheme for students and under 26s, BUSH CONNECT offers its members discounted tickets for all Bush Theatre productions, special offers, giveaways and competitions, and exclusive events and networking opportunities.

Group Bookings - Book for a group of 11 or more people and the 11th person will go for free.
*Terms and conditions apply, see the Bush website for further information.

Photo Credit: Richard Davenport