Photo Flash: Trafalgar Studios Announces Upcoming Season

Operated by Ambassador Theatre Group, Trafalgar Studios is one of the most exciting and unique spaces in London, playing host to a wide range of inspiring and diverse theatre, offering audiences a refreshing change from the norm and often a chance to see work that wouldn't otherwise have found a place in the West End. The theatre is developing a reputation for fresh and challenging new work, as well as a loyal following.

Since the Studios opened in 2004/2005, the venues have played host to some of the biggest names in the business including John Simm, Sadie Frost, Imelda Staunton, Nicholas Hoult, John Hannah, Mathew Horne and Kris Marshall and have presented a range of critically-acclaimed productions including Elling, New Boy, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Entertaining Mr Sloane, Fat Pig and Dealer's Choice. The success story continues in 2009, as Trafalgar Studios announces its exciting autumn line up...

STUDIO 1

The Theatre503 world premiere production of Katori Hall's THE MOUNTAINTOP (16 July - 5 September), starring David Harewood and Lorraine Burroughs, transfers to Studio 1 for a limited run of seven weeks.

Directed by James Dacre, the play received an outstanding critical response across the media during its three-week run at the Battersea-based theatre.

The night before his assassination Martin Luther King retires to room 306 in the known famous Lorraine Motel in Memphis after giving his legendary ‘I have been to the mountaintop' speech to a massive church congregation. When room-service is delivered by a young woman, whose identity we puzzle over, King is forced to confront his past, as well as his legacy to his people.

This gripping re-imagining of King's last night is shot-through with powerful performances from David Harewood as King and Lorraine Burroughs as the mysterious Camae.

Sonia Friedman Productions and Jean Doumanian, Tali Pelman for Ambassador Theatre Group, Bob Bartner and Marla Rubin Productions Ltd present this Theatre503 production of The Mountaintop.

Following on from The Mountaintop, Comedy Legend Lenny Henry stars in Shakespeare's OTHELLO (11 September - 12 December). Poignant, intense and heartbreaking, Othello mercilessly explores every inch of the human condition.

Love, racism, jealousy and desire are at the emotional core of Shakespeare's monumental tragedy, a tender love story shattered by one man's obsessive hatred of another. Othello is noble, brave and victorious. Iago, passed over for a position in the army, fuels his diabolical revenge with hatred and snarling racism.

Sonia Friedman Productions and Robert G Bartner present this A Northern Broadsides and West Yorkshire Playhouse production of Othello, which transfers to Studio 1 following a sell-out, regional tour.

STUDIO 2

Supported by the Cameron Mackintosh Foundation and Thelma Holt CBE, the OUDS International Tour presents a unique production of HENRY V (2 - 5 September), which comes to Studio 2 for a limited run.

Flanked by Shakespeare's surrounding histories, OUDS presents a new interpretation of Henry V: spanning from the deathbed of Henry's father to the death throes of his conquests. With ruthlessly resourceful creativity, ten of Oxford University's finest actors are to play over forty diverse roles.

This autumn, two of this generation's brightest acting talents play two of music's most famous figures in Roy Smiles' new play KURT & SID (9 September - 3 October).

Danny Dyer (whose work encompasses roles in multiple Pinter plays, TV's Skins and films such as Doghouse, Straightheads, The Football Factory and Adulthood) plays Sex Pistol's bassist Sid Vicious. Opposite him, Shaun Evans (Teachers and recently seen in Sky1's The Take) makes his West End stage debut as Nirvana's lead singer Kurt Cobain.

Weary of being hailed as ‘Grunge King', Kurt is about to pull the trigger of the gun in his hand and join the leagues of rock star deaths down the ages. Then, without invitation, he finds he has company...curious company in the form of a shadowy figure purporting to be the Sex Pistol's Sid Vicious, Kurt's hero.

MY REAL WAR, 1914 - ? (5 - 31 October) is the true story of how a lively and funny young man slowly succumbs to the horrors of the war.

Starring Philip Desmeules (A View from the Bridge) and adapted and directed by Tricia Thorns, Two's Company's acclaimed series of rediscovered war plays has given London audiences fresh, gripping and atmospheric nights of theatre.

Following the success of last years' residency at Trafalgar, PERFECT PITCH MUSICALS present their WEST END SHOWCASE (2 - 8 November), featuring 45 minute extracts from four new musicals. There is also a one-off gala concert in Studio 1 of THROUGH THE DOOR starring Julie Atherton. For further information, visit www.perfectpitchmusicals.com

PUBLIC PROPERTY (9 November - 5 December) by Sam Peter Jackson and directed by Hanna Berrigan, takes a witty look at the dark side of the media.

Geoffrey Hammond reads for the prime time news but now he is the headline. His publicist Larry knows his client's dirtiest secret and how to spin the story. As the media wait, hungry for the first statement on the sex scandal of the century, the question looms - is all publicity good publicity?

· If you are under the age of 26, you can claim free theatre tickets on selected shows over the next two years, as Trafalgar Studios proudly takes part in A Night Less Ordinary, a nationwide Government initiative, aimed at creating a new generation of theatregoers. To claim your free theatre tickets please visit the website www.ambassadortickets.com/anightlessordinary for further details.

· Booking information: Box Office: 0870 060 6632

Online: www.ambassadortickets.com/trafalgarstudios