11 November 2016

Hampstead Theatre announces its January 2017 Main Stage production, the UK premiere of Sex with Strangers

SEX WITH STRANGERS By Laura Easton Directed by Peter DuBois

27 January – 4 March 2017 Press Night Thursday 2 February 7pm

‘Look, I’m giving you another chance to show the world how talented you are. Take it. It’s worth the risk’

The UK premiere of Laura Eason’s smart comedy Sex with Strangers will be directed by Peter DuBois. Emilia Fox returns to Hampstead Theatre following the sell-out hit Rapture, Blister, Burn in 2014 to star in this multifaceted love story packed with hidden ambitions, soaring desires and secret agendas.

Olivia, an attractive and talented but underappreciated mid-career writer, is unexpectedly trapped overnight in a secluded, snowed-in B&B with Ethan, an equally attractive and wildly successful young blogger.

Her latest novel is an unsung masterpiece; his blog is being made into a movie. She prefers books; he prefers eBooks. She is anonymous; he has half a million Twitter followers. But opposites soon attract – passionately – as each realise they want more of what the other has. But the closer they get, the more they must confront the murky side of ambition, success and Wi- Fi…

Emilia Fox plays Olivia. Theatre credits includes Rapture Blisture Burn (Hampstead Theatre), , Richard II (), Good (), Katherine Howard (Chichester Festival Theatre) and The Cherry Orchard (RSC & Albery Theatre). She is best known for portraying Dr. Nikki Alexander in (Series 8 - 19), other television credits include The Tunnel, The Casual Vacancy, The Scarlet Pimpernel and . Film credits include The Carer, The Devil's Harvest, Suspension Of Disbelief, A Thousand Kisses Deep, Ways To Live Forever, Dorian Gray and The Pianist.

Laura Eason is a Brooklyn-based playwright, screenwriter and musical book writer. Selected productions of her twenty produced plays include: Sex with Strangers (more than thirty productions in the U.S. and internationally), The Undeniable Sound of Right Now (Rattlestick Theatre and Women’s Project Theatre, NYC, published by DPS), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Hartford Stage, CT; New Victory, NYC; People’s Light, PA; Actor’s Theatre, KY; KC Rep; St. Louis Rep; Denver Center, published by DPS) and Around the World in 80 Days (St. James Theatre, ; New Vic and Royal Exchange, UK; Lookingglass Theatre, Chicago; Baltimore Centerstage;

Jo Allan PR 1 published by BPPI and Nick Hern Books). She wrote the book for the musicals Days Like Today, (Writers Theatre, Chicago) and Summerland (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre commission). As a screenwriter, Laura is a writer/producer on the Netflix drama, House of Cards (WGA nomination for outstanding writing in a drama series, Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Drama Series for seasons two, three and four) and is currently developing her own TV drama series. Her feature film debut commences filming in 2017, produced by and starring Sarah Jessica Parker. Laura is an Ensemble Member and the former Artistic Director of Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre (2011 Regional Tony Award). In New York, she is a member of Rising Phoenix Rep, the Dramatists Guild, New Georges, and is a Women’s Project Playwright’s Lab alumna.

Peter DuBois returns to Hampstead Theatre after directing Rapture, Blister, Burn in 2014 which starred Emilia Fox. His other London theatre credits are All New People (Duke of York’s) and Becky Shaw (Almeida), and his New York credits include The Power of Duff (New York Stage and Film), Modern Terrorism, Becky Shaw (2009 Pulitzer finalist), Trust, All New People (Second Stage Theatre), Measure for Pleasure, Richard III, Biro, Mom, How Did You Meet the Beatles? (The Public Theater/ NYSF), and Jack Goes Boating, The View From 151st Street (LAByrinth Theater Company/The Public Theater). Peter is the Artistic Director at the Huntington Theatre Company, and has staged productions including A Little Night Music, Smart People, Sons of the Prophet, Vengeance is the Lord’s, The Miracle at Naples.

Full casting to be announced soon.

ALSO SHOWING AT HAMPSTEAD THEATRE HAMPSTEAD DOWNSTAIRS Programme includes:

o Kiss Me written by Richard Bean and directed by Anna Ledwich, 27 October – 3 December 2016. The cast for Kiss Me is Claire Lams and Ben Lloyd-Hughes. o Platinum written by Hannah Patterson and directed by Adam Penford, 9 December 2016 - 14 January 2017. The cast for Platinum includes George Blagden (Versailles) and Laura Pitt- Pulford. o Experience written by Dave Florez and directed by Tom Attenborough, 19 January – 18 February 2017. Cast to be confirmed. o Scarlett written by Collette Kane and directed by Mel Hillyard, 23 February – 25 March 2017. Cast to be confirmed. Scarlett is a co-production with Hampstead Downstairs and Theatr Clwyd.

THE FESTIVAL AT HAMPSTEAD THEATRE A three day drama and literary festival Friday 10 – Sunday 12 February 2017

Hampstead Theatre announces its third annual Festival, which will take place on 10 – 12 February 2017 following tremendous success in previous years.

Events for the 2017 Festival include:

IN CONVERSATION WITH MIKE LEIGH Sunday 12 February 7.45pm

Author Kate Mosse talks to one of Britain’s greatest writers and directors for film, television and stage. Mike Leigh’s films include the Oscar winning Vera Drake with Imelda Staunton, Another Year with Jim Broadbent and Lesley Manville and Mr Turner with Timothy Spall. Mike’s iconic

Jo Allan PR 2 plays include Abigail’s Party, Ecstasy and Smelling a Rat – all of which received their premieres at Hampstead Theatre.

RICHARD CURTIS’ FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL SCREENPLAY READING Sunday 12 February 1pm

Following last year’s sell-out reading of Emma Thompson’s screenplay Sense and Sensibility, featuring Alison Steadman and Imogen Stubbs, this year’s screenplay reading will be the timeless British classic, Four Weddings and A Funeral by Richard Curtis. Cast to be announced.

The full programme will be announced soon.

The Festival at Hampstead Theatre is proud to be supported by The Evening Standard as its media partner and Daunt Books as its official book supplier.

Priority Booking for Sex with Strangers, Hampstead Downstairs and the Festival is now open to Friends and Patrons of Hampstead Theatre. Public Booking opens Friday 18 November 10.30am. PRESS CONTACTS For production press enquiries: Hannah Stockton | E [email protected] | M 07889 542 245 | T 020 7520 9392 Freya Edgeworth | E [email protected] | M 07718 318 705 | T 020 7520 9392

BOX OFFICE INFORMATION

Box Office 020 7722 9301 | hampsteadtheatre.com

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube @Hamps_Theatre

Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, London, NW3 3EU

NOTES TO EDITORS

 Hampstead Theatre is proud to announce that Meera Syal has joined its board as of November 2016

LISTINGS MAIN STAGE

THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL’S GUIDE TO CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, or iHo Tony Kushner Directed by Michael Boyd 18 October – 26 November 2016 Mon – Sat 7pm; Wed and Sat Mats 2pm

WILD HONEY Michael Frayn From the play without a name by Anton Chekhov Directed by Howard Davies with Jonathan Kent 2 December 2016 – 14 January 2017 Mon–Sat 7.30pm; Wed Mats 2.30pm; Sat Mats 3pm

Jo Allan PR 3

SEX WITH STANGERS Laura Eason Directed by Peter DuBois 27 January – 4 March 2017 Mon–Sat 7.30pm; Wed Mats 2.30pm; Sat Mats 3pm

Tues-Sat eves: £25-35 Mondays/Matinees/Previews: £18-28 Senior Citizens: From £15 Under 30s: From £10 for any performance Groups: For every 9 tickets get the 10th free Access: £15

DOWNSTAIRS

KISS ME Richard Bean Directed by Anna Ledwich 27 Oct – 3 Dec Mon-Sat, 7.45pm; Wed Mats 2.45pm; Sat Mats 3.15pm

PLATINUM Hannah Patterson Directed by Adam Penford 9 Dec 2016 – 14 Jan 2017 Mon-Sat, 7.45pm; Wed Mats 2.45pm; Sat Mats 3.15pm

EXPERIENCE Dave Florez Directed by Tom Attenborough 19 Jan – 18 Feb Mon-Sat, 7.45pm; Wed Mats 2.45pm; Sat Mats 3.15pm

SCARLETT Collette Kane Directed by Mel Hillyard 23 Feb – 25 Mar Mon-Sat, 7.45pm; Wed Mats 2.45pm; Sat Mats 3.15pm

First Five Performances: All tickets £5 Full price: £12 U30/students: £10 Seniors: £10 (mats only) Access: £6 Groups: For every 9 tickets get the 10th free Access: £6

THE FESTIVAL AT HAMPSTEAD THEATRE 10 – 12 Feb Tickets from £8

Jo Allan PR 4