sign in sign up
<<
Home , Steven Atkinson, Tabard Theatre

PRESS RELEASE – Monday 14 August 2017

NEW IMAGES CAN BE DOWNLOAD HERE

Twitter/ Facebook / Instagram / website

HIGHTIDE ANNOUNCE CASTING FOR

HEROINE & KANYE THE FIRST

 FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR NESSAH MUTHY’S HEROINE AND SAM STEINER’S KANYE THE FIRST – HIGHTIDE’S HEADLINE PRODUCTIONS FOR THEIR ELEVENTH FESTIVAL

 THE FESTIVAL OF NEW WRITING, COMEDY, TALKS, CABARET AND FAMILY SHOWS PLAYS IN ALDEBURGH, SUFFOLK 12 – 17 SEPTEMBER AND WALTHAMSTOW, 26 SEPTEMBER – 8 OCTOBER

HighTide have today announced casting for Heroine and Kanye The First, their world premiere commissions for 2017. Heroine, co-production with Clwyd by Nessah Muthy (The Host) will be directed by HighTide’s Artistic Director Steven Atkinson with a cast including: Asmara Gabrielle, Maggie McCarthy, Wendy Morgan, Lucy Thackeray and Hannah Traylen. Asmara Gabrielle, who plays Grace, is a newcomer to a lead stage role. Comic drama Kanye The First by Sam Steiner (Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons) is a co-production with Paul Jellis in association with The Marlowe and The North Wall, directed by HighTide Associate Director Andrew Twyman and the cast will include: Imogen Doel, Caroline Faber, Daniel Francis- Swaby and Keziah Joseph. Imogen Doel will lead the cast and has extensive experience in theatre, having previously performed in a number of West End productions, as well as multiple collaborations with Anthony Neilson. Muthy’s devastating exploration of patriotism and nativism in modern Britain follows young ex-soldier Grace as she struggles to reassimilate into society following a medical discharge from the army. Steiner’s first commission, and highly original new play will be the first major stage work around one of the most celebrated artists in popular music history, charting the second coming of global pop icon Kanye West. The play takes a timely look at identity and guilt in contemporary culture. Alongside these productions Theresa Ikoko’s Girls, joint winner of the Award (2016), the Alfred Fagon Award (2015), is set to return with a new cast including: Heather Agyepong, Yvette Boakye and Yasmin Mwanza. Telling the tale of three young friends who are kidnapped in Nigeria, Ikoko wrote Girls to highlight the stories behind the headlines that quickly become yesterday’s news. Girls is a co-production between HighTide, Talawa Theatre Company and Martha Rose Wilson. The Suffolk festival, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2016, is set to continue its winning formula of finding, commissioning and producing the country’s best new playwrights at its home in Aldeburgh in September. This year the company will transfer the productions to East London’s Walthamstow in a brand new temporary theatre space with Waltham Forest Council and in association with The National Theatre. ‘The Mix’ will come to London’s Walthamstow Town Centre for 12 days following the Aldeburgh season, bringing an eclectic arts programme to an area of London which currently has no mid to large scale theatre spaces and where there are consequently relatively low levels of engagement with theatre. The diverse programmes in both locations will include three headline plays and a programme of comedy, cabaret, talks and music. The Festival in Aldeburgh will run 12 – 17 September with a Press Day on 16 September. The Walthamstow Festival will run 26 September – 8 October with Press Nights on 26 & 27 September. Kanye The First was developed through The Marlowe’s Roar programme. For further information please contact Maisie Lawrence or Amy Deering at The Corner Shop PR on 020 7831 7657 / [email protected] / [email protected]

BIOGRAPHIES

Imogen Doel most recently appeared in Twelfth Night at the National Theatre. Other theatre credits include The Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare’s Globe), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (RSC), Marat/Sade (RSC) The Importance of Being Earnest (), Serpent’s Tooth (Almeida), In the Vale of Health (), Narrative (The Royal Court), The Get Out (The Royal Court) and The Seagull (Gaiety Theatre Dublin). Her television credits include Resistance (RTE) and Misfits (E4).

Caroline Faber’s recent stage credits include My Mother Said I Never Should (St James Theatre), The Iliad (Almeida), Luna Gale (Hampstead Theatre) and The Taming of the Shrew (RSC), King Lear (), Romeo and Juliet (Headlong) and Paradise Lost (Headlong). Television credits include EastEnders (BBC), Berlin Station (Paramount), Merlin (BBC), Dis/connected (Shine Productions), A Good Murder (Sally Head Productions).

Daniel Francis-Swaby recently appeared in Twelfth Night at the Royal Exchange. Other recent theatre credits include On Fleek (The Royal Court), Les Blancs (National Theatre) and Milk Milk Lemonade ().

Asmara Gabrielle’s theatre credits include Pimp Bobby (). Her film credits include Finding Fatimah (BMTV), My Abuse, and How to Succeed.

Keziah Joseph’s theatre credits include Silver Lining (), Wuthering Heights, Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night (all Royal Central School of Speech and Drama). Her radio credits include Doctor Who- Cold Vengeance, The Archers, and Watership Down (all BBC Radio 4).

Maggie McCarthy’s theatre credits include Silver Lining (English Touring Theatre and Rose Theatre Kingston), We Wait in Joyful Hope (Theatre 503), Juno and the Paycock (Bristol Old Vic and Liverpool ), Private Lives (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Absence of War (Headlong, Rose Theatre, Kingston & Sheffield Theatres). National Theatre credits include Children of the Sun, Cocktail Sticks and Mother Clap's Molly House. Recent television credits include Dancing On The Edge (BBC), Call the Midwife (BBC/Neal Street Productions) and Coronation Street (Granada Television). Film credits include Angela’s Ashes, Attack the Block, The History Boys, Calendar Girls and soon to be released Ghost Stories.

Wendy Morgan's theatre credits include Animal Farm, Martine (Olivier and Standard Best Actress Nominations), Yonadab, As I Lay Dying, Bacchai, Streetcar Named Desire, Phedre (National Theatre) Hatched and Dispatched (). Film credits include Yanks (Most Promising Newcomer Award), Birth of The Beatles, 84 Charing X Road, The Mirror Crack'd', Television credits include The Jewel In The Crown (Granada TV), Midsomer Murders (Bentley Productions), Casualty (BBC), Wire in the Blood (ITV) and Emmerdale (ITV).

Lucy Thackeray recently appeared in Alginate at the Bunker Theatre. Other theatre credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe), My Beautiful Black Dog () and Bike (Salisbury Playhouse). Her television credits include Damned (Channel 4) New Tricks (BBC), The Five (Red Productions for Sky) and Casualty (BBC). Hannah Traylen graduated from Italia Conti last year and is making her professional stage debut. Her theatre credits whilst at drama school include Coram Boy, The Libertine, Time and the Conways, Three Sisters, and Twelfth Night (all Italia Conti), Oliver Twist (Italia Conti, Edinburgh Fringe) and God Bless Ye Merry Gentleman (Grindstone, Tristan Bates Theatre). Her television credits include Howards End (BBC/Starz), Doctors (BBC), Harlots (ITV Encore), Call the Midwife (BBC/Neal Street Productions) and Unforgotten (ITV).

Steven Atkinson is co-founder and the Artistic Director of HighTide. His directing credits for HighTide include In Fidelity (Traverse Theatre), The Sugar Coated Bullets of the Bourgeoisie () Forget Me Not (Bush Theatre); So Here We Are (Royal Exchange Theatre); Lampedusa (); peddling (Arcola Theatre/ Off-Broadway); Pussy Riot (Bush Theatre/ Southbank Centre); Neighbors (Nuffield Theatre); Bottleneck (Soho Theatre/ UK tour); Dusk Rings A Bell (Watford Palace Theatre) and Lidless (Trafalgar Studios). His other productions include Chicken (Paines Plough Roundabout) and The Afghan and the Penquin (Radio 4).

Following the staged reading of Normal in HighTide 2015, Theresa Ikoko, a Talawa Writers’ Programme playwright, debuted Girls at HighTide 2016. Girls won the Alfred Fagon Award, was joint winner of the George Devine Award and was a named finalist for the Verity Bargate Award.

Elayce Ismail was awarded the JP Morgan Award for Emerging Directors 2014/15 and was Resident Director at the National Theatre Studio, where she directed The Rise and Shine of Comrade Fiasco at the as part of the Freedom Burning season. Her other directing credits include The Sound Of Yellow (Creative Associate, Young Vic Taking Part), Simpatico ('5 Directors, 5 Plays, 5 Days' project at the Young Vic), Bed and Breakfast (Brighton Fringe and National Tour). She worked with Joe Wright as Jerwood Assistant Director on A Season in The Congo at the Young Vic. She was also co-founder and Artistic Director of Offstage Theatre. Nessah Muthy is a writer for TV and theatre. She has written for Cardboard Citizens, National Youth Theatre and the . Nessah is under commission to the Kali Theatre and the National Youth Theatre. For screen, Nessah has written for Holby City, following successful completion of the show’s shadow scheme and has previously written for EastEnders: E20 and currently developing an original television drama for the BBC Drama Writers' Programme. Sam Steiner is a playwright and screenwriter from Manchester, who has just finished an attachment at Paines Plough as their Playwright Fellowship. Sam’s debut play, Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, completed a national tour in 2016 after back-to-back sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe. The play is published by Nick Hern Books, received a reading in New York from Sienna Miller and Russell Tovey in 2016 and has been translated into several different languages. Other pieces of Sam’s work have been showcased at the Royal Exchange, Soho Theatre, and Cannes Film Festival. Sam is also under commission at Paines Plough and Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Andrew Twyman is currently the Associate Director at HighTide and an Associate Artist at Live Theatre Newcastle. For HighTide as Associate Director: Sugar Coated Bullets Of The Bourgeoisie (Arcola Theatre). For HighTide as Assistant Director: Those Who Trespass (The Arts Educational Schools), Forget Me Not (Bush Theatre). Theatre includes: Machinal (The Arts Educational Schools), Odd Shaped Balls (Old Red Lion/Edinburgh Festival/Space UK) Don’t Smoke In Bed (); Te Karakia (Vibrant 2015 at Finborough Theatre); Reason and Force (King's Head Theatre); Fair Exchange (Tabard Theatre). Andrew was also a member of the writing programme at the Live Theatre, Newcastle. LISTINGS

HighTide runs 12-17 September in Aldeburgh, Suffolk and 26 September – 8 October in Walthamstow, London. : www..org.uk.

Press performances: Heroine & Kanye The First: 16 September, Aldeburgh Kanye The First: 26 September, Walthamstow Heroine: 27 September, Walthamstow

Box Office and more information: www.hightide.org.uk.

For information on the Festival in Aldeburgh see here. For information on the Festival in Walthamstow see here.

HighTide and Theatr Clwyd presents HEROINE by Nessah Muthy Directed by Steven Atkinson Set and Costume by Richard Kent Lighting Design by Elliot Griggs Sound Design by Adrienne Quartly ALDEBURGH: WEDNESDAY 13, FRIDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 8PM & SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER AT 12PM WALTHAMSTOW: 27 SEPTEMBER, 3 & 6 OCTOBER AT 7.30PM, 30 SEPTEMBER AT 7PM, 8 OCTOBER AT 2PM Venue: The Mix Running time: 1h 30m (no interval) Recommended age: 14+ Contains strong language HighTide and Paul Jellis in association with The Marlowe and The North Wall presents KANYE THE FIRST by Sam Steiner Directed by Andrew Twyman Set and Costume by Camilla Clarke Lighting Design by Jai Morjaria Sound Design and Composition by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite Dramaturg - Roy Alexander Weiss Consultant Dramaturg (Marlowe Theatre) - James Baldwin ALDEBURGH: TUESDAY 12, 14 SEPTEMBER AT 8PM & SATRUDAY 16 SEPTEMBER AT 4PM WALTHAMSTOW: 26, 29 SEPTEMBER & 5 OCTOBER, 7.30PM, 30 SEPTEMBER AT 2PM, 7 OCTOBER AT 7PM Venue: The Mix Running time: 1h 40m (no interval) Recommended age: 14+ Contains strong language Talawa Theatre Company, HighTide and Martha Rose Wilson presents GIRLS by Theresa Ikoko Directed by Elayce Ismail Set and Costume by Rosanna Vize Lighting Designer Andy Purves Sound Design and Composition by Richard Hammarton ALDEBURGH: SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER WALTHAMSTOW: 28 SEPTEMBER AT 7.30PM, 1 OCTOBER AT 5PM, 4 OCTOBER AT 7.30PM, 7 OCTOBER AT 2PM Venue: The Mix Running time: 1h 30m (no interval) Recommended age: 14+ **

NOTES TO EDITORS

HighTide is one of the UK’s leading producers of new plays, and one of the few professional theatres focused on the production of new playwrights. Now entering its tenth year, HighTide has premiered more than sixty productions by now major playwrights including , Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, , Adam Brace, Beth Steel, Sam Holcroft, Luke Barnes, Vickie Donoghue, Anders Lustgarten, and Joel Horwood. www.hightide.org.uk

Talawa Theatre Company is the UK's primary Black-led theatre company. Led by Artistic Director Michael Buffong, Talawa’s work is informed by the wealth and diversity of the Black British experience. For 30 years Talawa has created outstanding work by cultivating the best in emerging and established Black artists, investing in talent, developing audiences and inspiring dialogue with and within communities across the UK and internationally to enrich the cultural life of all. This April Talawa is co-producing King Lear with the Royal Exchange in Manchester in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre. www.talawa.com

Paul Jellis is an award-winning independent theatre and events producer. His work encompasses new writing, multidisciplinary performance, interactive theatre and immersive experiences. He has worked with leading theatres across the UK including the Young Vic, Old Vic, Lyric Hammersmith, Sheffield Theatres and Birmingham Rep, and internationally in New York and Bangalore. His production of Barbarians at the Young Vic was nominated for an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. He has also developed and produced experiential events with global brands including Ray Ban, Courvoisier and PlayStation.

Martha Rose Wilson is an independent producer who produces under her own name and for Metal Rabbit Productions. She is also producer at The Coterie, which she co-runs with artistic director Caitlin McLeod, supported by , The RSC and Sky Arts. She has produced work at leading UK venues including The Old Vic, , Soho Theatre, Southwark Playhouse, Tobacco Factory Theatres and internationally at 59E59 Theaters, New York. Martha was one of the inaugural Old Vic 12 and producer for the Old Vic New Voices Festival. In 2016 she was awarded a Stage One Bursary for New Producers and is mentored by Lilli Geissendorfer, Producer at the .

The North Wall is an arts centre in Oxford with an eclectic public programme attracting over 20,000 visitors a year. The award-winning venue, designed by Haworth Tompkins, includes a fully flexible theatre/performance space, a smaller studio/rehearsal space, a dance studio and a gallery. The North Wall was established in 2006 to provide opportunities for artists and young people to make and experience art of the highest quality. Over the last ten years, The North Wall has built a reputation for its innovative work and emphasis on new writing. Since inception, it has programmed over 195 new plays, including debut plays of 32 new writers, and produced or co-produced 12 new productions. Alongside its programming, The North Wall has a mission to educate and inspire, running a series of free residential projects for early-career artists aged 18-25, called ArtsLab. The North Wall is situated on the grounds of St Edward’s School; the School is the venue’s principal sponsor, with additional support generously provided by Arts Council England and the Garfield Weston Foundation. Theatr Clwyd produces exciting, dynamic, vibrant theatre for Wales and beyond. Led by Artistic Director Tamara Harvey it is a champion of world-class drama, new writing and family friendly work. Overlooking the Clwydian Hills yet only forty minutes from Liverpool it has three theatres, a cinema, cafe, bar and three art galleries to offer a rich and varied programme of visual arts, film, theatre, music and comedy. It works extensively with its local community, schools and colleges as well as creating award-winning work for and with young people. Over 200,000 people a year come through its doors and in 2015 Theatr Clwyd was voted the Most Welcoming Theatre in Wales.

The Marlowe in Canterbury is one of the country's most successful regional theatres, bringing the work of prestigious companies such as the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Matthew Bourne, and Glyndebourne Opera to audiences in Kent. The Marlowe Studio is dedicated to presenting bold and innovative theatre, presenting performances by some of this country's most exciting theatre artists. It is also the home of the Roar new writing productions. The Marlowe has a thriving Creative Projects programme and is committed to the development of new writing and new theatre in Kent. The Roar programme works to support emerging writers and artists by giving them the opportunity to develop new work through mentoring, workshops, funded research and development, and performed work-in-progress readings.