Royal Court Theatre – The Theatre Playbook

Royal Court Theatre names David Byrne new artistic director

David Byrne, the founding artistic director of London theatre New Diorama, has been named the new artistic director of the Royal Court Theatre.

Known for his innovative and ground-breaking approach to working with artists, Byrne has supported thousands of playwrights, theatre-makers and artists over the past decade. Launched in the wake of the COVID pandemic, one of David’s most recent projects, NDT Broadgate, has provided a revolutionary free rehearsal space for more than 8,000 creatives.

Byrne’s plays have been performed across the UK winning multiple Off-West End awards. His recent productions include a radical adaptation of George Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris and London, The Incident Room co-written with Olivia Hirst, and Secret Life of Humans, both played to sold out audiences at the Edinburgh Festival as well as in London, before off-Broadway and international transfers.

Byrne said: “At its founding, George Devine imagined the Royal Court to be where ‘the experimentalists of the modern era could be seen’, often ‘in advance of public taste’. For over a decade at New Diorama, I’ve embraced those ideals, seeking out and supporting the boldest and most exhilarating artists so that, together, we could re-write the theatre rule book.

“In this new role, I’m excited to continue working in service of the playwrights and artists raring to take big swings. Together, we’ll shape a rejuvenating culture from which the experimentalists of this new era are safe to take risks, can gamble like they’re never going to lose, and where audiences can glimpse the future of theatre, today.”

David Byrne will take over from Vicky Featherstone at the start of 2024 when she steps down after a decade in the position.

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.

Royal Court attracts Michael Wynne’s Cuckoo

Cuckoo, a dark comedy by Michael Wynne, is coming to the Royal Court Theatre.

Staged in partnership with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, the Royal Court’s artistic director Vicky Featherstone directs Michelle Butterly, Emma Harrison, Sue Jenkins and Jodie McNee.

Wynne was born in Birkenhead and the production is set in the writer’s hometown with an all-Scouse cast.

Cuckoo runs at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from Thursday, July 6 to Saturday, August 19, 2023, before transferring to Liverpool Everyman from Wednesday September 6 to Saturday 23, 2023.

Cuckoo is designed by Peter McKintosh, with lighting design by Jai Morjaria and sound design by Nick Powell.

Doreen and her two grown up daughters sit at the table – eating fish and chips, distracted by their phones. Upstairs, 17–year-old Megyn has locked herself in her grandmother’s bedroom and refuses to come out. And no one is entirely sure why…

Wynne’s dark comedy explores the safety of home and the different ways we cope in our increasingly uncertain world.

The playwright will host a post-show talk on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.

He said: “Cuckoo follows three generations of a matriarchal family as they try to live their lives in what can feel like difficult and crazy times. They’re dealing with financial insecurity, economic decline, all pervasive technology and the potential impact of climate change – amongst other things.

“I was interested in exploring how different generations discuss issues and how having opposing opinions has become much more fraught – even within close families.

“The last few years have taken their toll on all of us and I came across this term historical narcissism. It forces us to question whether this really is the worst period of modern times, or if it’s just the way we’re living our lives – with news flashes pinged to us at all hours etc … or are we lacking in perspective?”

“This might sound quite heavy but fundamentally it’s a comedy about a family trying to get on with their lives and each other.”