The Old Vic announces new productions

The Old Vic has announced a new line up of productions through to the end of Spring 2009 that will begin in January with a new play, Complicit, directed in-the-round by Kevin Spacey. Following the hugely successful The Norman Conquests, which run through to late December 2008, the new programme brings further diversity and originality to one of London’s oldest theatres.

Complicit is a powerful American play that explores our current political climate. Artistic Director Kevin Spacey will return to the theatre’s stage to direct the world premiere of Joe Sutton’s new play. The play is based around Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Ben Kritzer who finds himself hauled in front of a Supreme Court Special Prosecutor. Joe Sutton’s past work includes Voir Dire (nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and the Best Play Award of the American Theatre Critics Association), As It Is in Heaven, The Benefits of Doubt and Black Market.

In late February, Brian Friel’s Olivier award-winning play, Dancing at Lughnasa, will open at The Old Vic in its first West End production since its premiere in 1990. A bittersweet reflection of rural Ireland in the thirties on the brink of industrialisation, Friel’s touching portrait of the five Mundy sisters follows their loss of love and opportunity played out against the echoes of the twentieth century, with dark humour, raw energy and tenderness. Anna Mackmin will direct an outstanding cast including Niamh Cusack, Michelle Fairley, Susan Lynch and in her London stage debut, Andrea Corr.

Dancing at Lughnasa is produced by The Old Vic, Sonia Friedman Productions and Tulchin/Bartner.

Both Complicit and Dancing at Lughnasa will be staged in-the-round in The Old Vic’s new CQS Space.

From the end of May some of the finest British and American theatre talents converge at The Old Vic to launch the London leg of The Bridge Project. The unprecedented three-year, transatlantic partnership unites The Old Vic with Brooklyn Academy of Music and Neal Street Productions. Academy Award-winner, Sam Mendes, returns to the London stage to direct a formidable group of actors in a double-bill of revered classics: The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov in a new version of the play by Tom Stoppard and a new staging of The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare.

The transatlantic cast will include Simon Russell Beale, Sinéad Cusack, Richard Easton, Rebecca Hall, Josh Hamilton, Ethan Hawke and Paul Jesson. Both plays will be performed in repertoire throughout the run. The Bridge Project is presented by Bank of America with support from American Airlines and is produced by The Old Vic, Brooklyn Academy of Music and Neal Street Productions.

Kevin Spacey commented “We’ve had such a great experience with The Norman Conquests that I am thrilled to get a chance to direct Complicit in-the-round. It is a truly inspirational space and I am delighted to stage a new work alongside some classic pieces. I couldn’t be happier that we’ve attracted such a terrific cast to Dancing at Lughnasa and I know that Anna Mackmin has wonderful ideas about the play. And we finally get to welcome Sam Mendes to The Old Vic, which will be a great moment for audiences and actors alike. This is a really interesting set of productions and we can’t wait to present them.”

The 24 Hour Plays Gala returns to The Old Vic on Sunday 30 November for the fifth year running. 40 internationally renowned actors, directors and writers join forces to test their talents to the limit and create six short plays in just 24 hours. Past participants have included; Gael Garcia Bernal, Jim Broadbent, James Nesbitt, Joseph Fiennes, Rosamund Pike, Brooke Shields, Vince Vaughan and Catherine Tate.

The 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala is the principal annual fundraising event in support of Old Vic New Voices. This department is dedicated to working with young people, developing emerging talent and building new audiences. The Old Vic receives no government subsidy so the Gala and other fundraising events are vital to ensure this ongoing work.

For more information and ticket booking, log on to Oldvictheatre.com.