SANDPITS AVENUE and LEAGUE OF ST GEORGE Are First Shows at Hope Theatre, Nov 5-30

Boneyard Theatre & Bricks and Mortar Theatre in association with The Hope Theatre present a double bill of Sandpits Avenue & The League of St George by Nathalie Wain & Georgia Bliss. The first production at London's newest new writing fringe venue: The Hope Theatre on Upper Street, Islington! Press night is set for 7.30pm Thursday 7th November 2013.

Sandpits Avenue, winner of the Herald Angel award, and League of St George, recipient of the National Student Drama Festival award, have joined together to open The Hope Theatre with the most exciting double bill on offer at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Both productions are also winners of the King's Head 2013 Stella Wilkie Award.

Sandpits Avenue and League of St George were created by graduates of the East 15 Contemporary Theatre course and for the DEBUT festival mentored by China Plate at East 15 Acting School. Writers Nathalie Wain and Georgia Bliss were mentored by April De Angelis (Jumpy, Playhouse Creatures, Hush) as part of the festival, which has seen the birth of Snuff Box Theatre Company, Bear Trap Theatre Company and most recently ANTLER Theatre.

The Hope Theatre is a brand new 50 seat theatre on Upper Street is Islington, exclusively for new writing, and curated by the team of the King's Head Theatre. All performers at the Hope Theatre are guaranteed to be paid at least National Minimum Wage. This double bill of Sandpits Avenue and The League of St George will be the first production to grace the Hope Theatre stage.

Sandpits Avenue, written by Nathalie Wain, follows Gwilliam a young solider plucked from his small West Country town and thrown onto Afghanistan's front line along with his childhood friend Tim. Meanwhile back in his quiet village other battles are being lost. As Tim's mental health decreases Gwilliam dreams of returning but when he finally does he is traumatised with a secret. This is a harrowing tale of relationships, drugs and broken dreams.

Directed by Dominic Garfield.

League of St George, written by Georgia Bliss, is set in 1976 dead end Dagenham. Skinhead Adam is gay and living a double life that crosses his racial morals prescribed by the League. A loud live punk band throws you into the days of boots, braces and the moonstomp. With sensitive humour, a twisted love story and an oversized St George's flag, All that's left to ask is Skin, Head or Heart?.

Directed by Shabaneh Razvand

The Hope Theatre is located at 207 Upper Street, London N1 1RL. Sandpits Avenue & League of St George will run 5 November - 30 November at 7.30pm. Tickets £12.00-£14.00. PREVIEWS: 5 and 6 November (All tickets: £10.00). Box Office: 020 7478 0160 and visit www.thehopetheatre.com.