pressinformation [ new british plays season 2006 ] finboroughtheatre Eden’s Empire The world premiere of a specially commissioned new play by the Finborough Theatre’s Pearson Playwright-in-Residence James Graham, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Suez Crisis. Directed by Gemma Fairlie. Designed by Alex Marker. Lighting by Matt Peel. Sound by Steve Mayo. Costume Design by Nell Knudsen. Presented by Pyre Productions and the finboroughtheatre. Cast: Daisy Beaumont. Michael Kirk. Hayward Morse. Jamie Newall. Nigel Pegram. Ted Pleasance. Kevin Quarmby. Selva Rasalingam. “I am convinced, more convinced than I have been about anything in all my public life, that we were right, my colleagues and I, in the judgments and decisions we took, and that history will prove it so.” – Anthony Eden Fifty years ago, Britain propelled itself into a disastrous war in the Middle East. Condemned by the UN and accused of falsifying intelligence, the Prime Minister was left fighting for his political life against a Party disillusioned, a public betrayed, and a wily Chancellor with ambitions to take his place….. With the pressure of opposition to his war, Prime Minister Anthony Eden rapidly lost his grip on both the Empire and his health. Unable to control the growing power of both the United States and the Arab world, nor his own failing body, history would mark him as the worst British Prime Minister of the twentieth century. A new, uncompromising political thriller exploring with electrifying theatricality the events of the Suez Crisis, and the tragic story of its flawed hero – Churchill’s golden boy and heir apparent, Anthony Eden. Playwright James Graham won the prestigious Pearson Playwriting Bursary – judged by a panel that included Michael Billington, Beryl Bainbridge and Sir John Mortimer - for Albert’s Boy, produced at the Finborough Theatre in 2005, starring Victor Spinetti. Eden’s Empire has been specially commissioned for the Finborough Theatre by Artistic Director Neil McPherson. Directed by exciting young director Gemma Fairlie whose London premiere of Silence by Moira Buffini at the Arcola Theatre in 2005 was named Time Out’s Show of the Week and Critics’ Choice. An Assistant Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company, she recently assisted Anthony Neilson on his new play Realism for the National Theatre of Scotland. Critically acclaimed Finborough Theatre Associate Designer Alex Marker designs. Daisy Beaumont’s many credits include The Day I Stood Still (National Theatre) and Alan Ayckbourn’s Virtual Reality (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough); Michael Kirk’s extensive credits in the West End and the regions include My Fair Lady (Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Hayward Morse was nominated for a Tony for his performance in the Broadway production of Simon Gray’s Butley, while his many stage credits include the first stage versions of both What The Butler Saw and The Rocky Horror Show; Jamie Newall plays Anthony Eden. His extensive credits include the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company; Nigel Pegram’s credits include the 1964 Oxford Revue with Michael Palin and Terry Jones and Sir Peter Hall’s UK and US tours of As You Like It; Ted Pleasance’s credits include Brian Friel’s Aristocrats (National Theatre) and for TV the title role in The Tony Martin Story; Kevin Quarmby’s credits include work at the National Theatre under Richard Eyre, as well as Jonathan Pryce's Hamlet (Royal Court); Selva Rasalingam plays Nasser. His credits include Guantanamo – Honor Bound to Defend Freedom (Tricycle Theatre and New Ambassadors) and Shiva in Midnight's Children (Royal Shakespeare Company UK and US tour). PRESS NIGHT: FRIDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 2006 AT 7.30PM PHOTOCALL: WEDNESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2006 AT 1.00PM-1.30PM Finborough Theatre, The Finborough, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED Box Office 0870 4000 838 www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk Wednesday, 6 September – Saturday, 30 September 2006 Tuesday to Saturday Evenings at 7.30pm. Sunday Matinees at 3.30pm. Tickets £12, £9 concessions. Tuesday Evenings £8 all seats. Saturday evenings £12 all seats. Performance Length: Approximately 2 hours with one interval. For more information, interviews and images, please contact Neil McPherson on e-mail [email protected] or 07977 173135 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED Telephone +44 (0)20 7244 7439 Fax +44 (0)20 7835 1853 e-mail [email protected] www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk Artistic Director Neil McPherson The Finborough Theatre is managed by The Steam Industry. Registered in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee, no. 3448268. Registered Charity no. 1071304. Registered address: 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED. A member of the Independent Theatre Council. .