Arcola Theatre, led by Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen and Executive Producer Leyla Nazli, today announce their programming into 2023. Opening the season in Studio 1 is Under the Black Rock, followed by WORTH and The Misandrist; and new shows for Studio 2 are The Unicorn and Duck.
The new season opens in Studio 1 with Under the Black Rock from Bluebird Productions, a darkly comic thriller set in Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles. With a cast led by Harry Potter’s Evanna Lynch and John Nayagam, the show opens 6 March, with previews from 2 March, and runs until 25 March.
This is followed by WORTH, a new collaboration from New Earth Theatre and Chester’s Storyhouse, directed by Mingyu Lin. Straddling two cultures, Joanne Lau’s new play explores immigration and family secrets. WORTH opens 12 April, with previews from 7 April, and runs until 29 April, before transferring to Storyhouse.
Lisa Carroll then returns with penetrating new comedy, The Misandrist, following prickly freelancer Rachel and smooth go-getter Sule as they meet at a club and fall into a casual relationship. Interweaving politics and pegging, The Misandrist opens at Arcola Theatre on 16 May, with previews from 10 May, and runs until 10 June.
In Studio 2, Sam Potter’s new play about compulsive sexual behaviour, The Unicorn, opens 9 June, with previews from 7 June, and runs until 24 June, starring Alice Lamb. Finally, Duck, maatin’s searing new examination of cricket, race and privilege directed by Imy Wyatt Corner, opens 29 June, with previews from 27 June, and plays until 15 July. These join the previously announced Studio 2 shows, The Mistake, Afghanistan is Not Funny and Vermin.
Mehmet Ergen, Artistic Director of Arcola Theatre, says today, “What a joy to reopen Studio 1 in 2023 with such a wide array of relevant and entertaining work, from old Arcola associates to artists we’ve wanted to work with for a long time. In addition, we’ll be continuing to programme engaging and dynamic work in Studio 2, our new writing powerhouse, throughout the year. Being able to share such important stories at our theatre is a privilege we don’t take for granted, and we are constantly inspired by the emerging and established companies that we work alongside.”
