Cast announced for Rabiah Hussain’s Word-Play at the Royal Court Theatre

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.

Andrew Scott to star in Vanya at the Duke of York’s Theatre

Sherlock and Fleabag star Andrew Scott will headline Vanya, a new adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece by Simon Stephens.

Directed by Andrew Yates and designed by Rosanna Vize, it will be performed at the Duke of York’s Theatre between September 15-October 21, following previews at Richmond Theatre between August 28-September 2..

Presented by Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Kater Gordon, the production reunites Scott and Stephens, who previously partnered on Sea Wall and Birdland; and Scott with Yates following their work together on the short film, The Hope Rooms.

Producers Benjamin Lowy and Emily Vaughan-Barratt from Wessex Grove also worked with Scott on Sea Wall and Hamlet, respectively.

Scott said: “Heartbreaking, hilarious, sexy, devastating- the genius and extraordinary humanity of Mr Chekhov just knocks me out. It’s a genuine honour and a singular challenge to bring this giant of a play to life in the West End in this new way and I’m so excited to be doing it alongside such brilliant, playful and talented people.”

For information and tickets, visit www.vanyaonstage.com