Kwame Kwei-Armah, Artistic Director of the Young Vic Theatre today announces highly acclaimed directors Matthew Dunster and Patrick Marber will be at the helm of two major upcoming productions; Harold Pinter’s powerful masterpiece The Homecoming and the UK premiere of Marius von Mayenburg’s thrilling new satire, Nachtland.
Renowned multi-Olivier-nominated director Matthew Dunster (2:22 A Ghost Story, Hangmen, Shirley Valentine) will revive Harold Pinter’s The Homecoming, in a bold refocusing of the unnerving, modern award-winning classic, with design by Moi Tran. It will run in the Main House from 27 November 2023 to 27 January 2024, with press night on 5 December.
Fresh from his Tony Award win for Best Direction of a Play for Leopoldstadt, Patrick Marber (Closer, Travesties, Don Juan in Soho, Dealer’s Choice) will direct the UK premiere of Nachtland, a mordant satire about marriage, legacy, and the rise of the new right, written by leading German playwright Marius von Mayenburg, and translated by Maja Zade. Young Vic Associate Artist Anna Fleischle will design. It will run in the Main House from 20 February to 20 April 2024 with press night on 27 February.
Kwame Kwei-Armah said: “The Young Vic has always been, amongst many things, a theatre for great directors of the world. I’m overjoyed to welcome Matthew and Patrick to dance with one of our mightiest modern classics and an electrifying new work I’m convinced will be a future classic. These are plays that test and entertain us, in the hands of brilliant artists.”
Matthew Dunster said: “I’ve always loved Pinter’s work. He can take working class situations and hone them into something really poetic, crystalized and potent. His plays are about patriarchal force and what it takes to resist that, whether at home or in the state. The Homecoming encapsulates this and poses big, universal questions about power. I’m excited by the challenge of this play and I can’t wait to return to the Young Vic.”
Patrick Marber said: “Nachtland is a jagged, modern satire but when the laughter stops, there’s a haunting disquiet underneath. I want the show to be thrilling and surprising, the kind of theatre I love.” Tickets go on priority sale today to members and on general sale on 28 July. Full casting and creative teams will be announced in due course.
