World Premiere of SAXON COURT Comes to Southwark Playhouse Tonight

The world premiere of Saxon Court plays at Southwark Playhouse this November. Made by Brick presents SAXON COURT by Daniel Andersen, directed by Melanie Spencer. Press night: Monday, 24 November 2014 at 8pm. Performances run tonight 19 November to Saturday 13 December 2014.

"I'm the boss.
I pay your wages.
I can do what I like."

It's Christmas 2011 in the City at the height of the financial crisis. A bad time for bankers; a worse time for the poor and vulnerable. But the person who's having the worst day of her life is small-time businesswoman Donna Saxon of Saxon Court Financial Recruitment-to-Recruitment Services.

Someone has stolen Donna's phone and blocked the office toilet; her business partner has got cancer; her gold-plated golf clubs haven't arrived; and her useless staff seem blissfully unaware that the company is about to go under. In fact they're more interested in starting the office party. One of them will have to be fired.

To make matters worse, Occupy protesters have started gathering outside the office door. But as Donna starts swinging her axe inside, she discovers that she has more to fear from her mercenary brood of young employees than from anyone waiting on the street.

Following an acclaimed production of Responsible Other at Hampstead Theatre last year, Made By Brick return to Southwark Playhouse with a razor sharp satirical comedy to darken your Christmas.

Casting and further creative details to be announced. Please note that this production contains graphic language and scenes of violence (as any good Christmas party should).

Playwright Daniel Andersen is a new British playwright. He is currently under commission from Old Vic New Voices. Saxon Court is Daniel's professional debut.

Director Melanie Spencer studied at UEA and RADA. Other training includes the National Theatre Studio Director's course and Channel Four Screenwriter's initiative. She was Resident Assistant Director at HighTide and a Creative Associate at the Gate Theatre. Production credits as director include Responsible Other (Hampstead Theatre Downstairs), Chicken (Southwark Playhouse), Tender (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama) and Honest (George Tavern). Credits as assistant director include The Promise (Donmar Warehouse, Trafalgar Season) Bea (Soho Theatre), Souvenirs (Tamasha), Sunset Baby and Wittenberg (Gate).

Made By Brick make theatre about modern life. They seek to present contemporary voices that are rarely seen on stage, connecting audiences with compelling stories that might otherwise be overlooked. In 2013, Made By Brick staged the critically-acclaimed Responsible Other at Hampstead Theatre, which was developed in consultation with staff and patients at St Thomas' Hospital in London. The company is run by Melanie Spencer (Artistic Director) and Clemmie Forfar (Executive Producer). In 2014, Clemmie produced Housed for The Old Vic, a hugely ambitious community production, which involved a non-professional cast and team of over 100. Made By Brick are currently developing original projects with new playwrights in association with several arts institutions and non-arts collaborators including Bolton University, Breathe AHR, Freedom From Torture, The Refugee Council, The Wellcome Trust and National Theatre of Scotland.

All performances play Southwark Playhouse, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD. (Nearest Tube: Borough / Elephant and Castle.) SAXON COURT runs Wednesday 19 November - Saturday 13 December 2014, Monday to Saturday at 8pm and Saturday matinees at 3.30pm (not Saturday 22 November). Box Office: Online - www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk (24 HOURS/NO BOOKING FEES); By Telephone - 020 7407 0234 (NO BOOKING FEES). Ticket Prices: Previews £10; £18, £16 (conc.). Concessions - Students, Under 16's, Unwaged, Registered disabled, Over 65's; Registered disabled patrons can bring one companion free of charge.

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