Issam Al Ghussain, Kosar Ali, Simon Manyonda, Sirine Saba and Yusra Warsama will head the cast of Word-Play, a new show from Rabiah Hussain.
Directed by Nimmo Ismail, the show explores the top-down structures of language and their far-reaching, long-lasting consequences. It will take place at the Royal Court Theatre’s Jerwood Theatre Upstairs from July 20-August 26, 2023.
In the Downing Street Press Office an emergency meeting has been called. The Prime Minister has been ad-libbing on live TV (again) and his words are going viral. There is a flurry of accusations, and demands for an apology; but as the team debate what to do next, it’s already too late. His words have found their way to dinner parties, bus journeys and newspaper columns across the nation – and not everyone is angry.
Word-Play is designed by Rosanna Vize, with lighting design by Jamie Platt. The composer and sound designer is XANA, the movement director is Ken Nakajima and the casting director is Isabella Odoffin. The voice coach is Emma Woodvine, the assistant director is Aneesha Srinivasan and the associate designer is Alys Whitehead.
The play was developed whilst Hussain was on attachment as part of the Royal Court Theatre and Kudos Writing Fellowship in 2019.
There will be a post-show talk with Hussain on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.