Arcola Theatre Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Philip Ridley's GHOST FROM A PERFECT PLACE

Twenty years after its explosive premiere at Hampstead Theatre - where it was denounced as "pornographic" by The Guardian's Michael Billington and hailed by The Spectator as "a masterpiece" - Ghost From A Perfect Place will have its first major revival at Arcola Theatre, directed by Russell Bolam, following his critically-acclaimed production of Ridley's Shivered at Southwark Playhouse.

Back in the swinging sixties, Travis Flood led a gang that terrorised East London. Now, after an absence of many years, he returns to find his old turf in the clutches of a new kind of gang...with a new kind of leader. Rio, ruler of a vicious gang of girls, instantly captivates Travis with her haunting beauty. But when their paths cross, a shocking story begins to emerge - one that shatters both their distorted memories.

Multi award-winning playwright Philip Ridley returns to Arcola Theatre with his contemporary classic Ghost From A Perfect Place, a scorchingly dark comedy, where a monster from the past meets the monsters of the present.

Ghost From a Perfect Place, produced by Sarah Stribley Productions, will run Thursday 11 September - Saturday 11 October.

Casting to be announced.

The creative team includes director Russell Bolam, designer Anthony Lamble, lighting designer Malcolm Rippeth, and sound designer Richard Hammarton.

Director Russell Bolam's 2012 production of Philip Ridley's Shivered was nominated for the Whatsonstage Best Off-West End Production Award, OFFIE nominated for Best New Play, OFFIE long-listed for Best Production, Best Director and Best Actor (also Evening Standard Outstanding Newcomer). Russell also directed The Merry Wives of Windsor at Ivan Vazov, and new translations of Chekov's Three Sisters and The Seagullby Anya Reiss at Southwark Playhouse.

Philip Ridley was born in the East End of London where he still lives and works. As well as three books for adults and the highly acclaimed screenplay for the The Krays feature film (winner of The Evening Standard Best Film of the Year Award), he has written 10 stage plays: The Pitchfork Disney, the multi-award-winning The Fastest Clock in the Universe, Ghost from a Perfect Place, Vincent River, the controversialMercury Fur, Leaves of Glass, Piranha Heights, Tender Napalm, Shivered and Dark Vanilla Jungle (winner of a Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival); plus a further five plays for young people: Karamazoo, Fairytaleheart, Moonfleece, Sparkleshark and Brokenville. Philip has won both the Evening Standard's Most Promising Newcomer to British Film and Most Promising Playwright Awards. The only person ever to receive both prizes.

A seminal piece of contemporary British theatre Ghost From A Perfect Place explores the nature of gang culture. The production will be accompanied by a series of free educational workshops, post-show discussions and community events dealing with the themes of the play. Further details to be announced.

Ghost From A Perfect Place is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Performances are Monday through Saturday at 7.30pm. Additionally, there are Saturday matinees each week at 3.00pm (with the exception of Saturday, September 13th).

Tickets are priced at £19.00 / £15.00 (concs). The preview period will run from September 11-13 at the price of £12.00.

For more information or to order tickets, call the box office at 020 7503 1646 or visit www.arcolatheatre.com.

Recommended to ages 14+.

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