Second Half Productions has today announced a new production of award-winning playwright David Ireland’s (Cyprus Avenue, The Lovers) Ulster American. Jeremy Herrin will direct following his recent acclaimed productions of A Mirror and Best of Enemies.
Emmy Award-winner and Academy Award -nominee Woody Harrelson (True Detective, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) returns to the London stage for the first time in almost two decades, to play Oscar-winning American actor Jay Conway. BAFTA and Emmy award-winner Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Batman) will star as English director Leigh Carver and Louisa Harland (Derry Girls, Dancing at Lughnasa) will star as Northern Irish playwright Ruth Davenport in David Ireland’s brutally funny play.
Ulster American will feature set and costume design by Max Jones, lighting design by Oliver Fenwick, sound design by Emma Laxton, casting by Jessica Ronane CDG with Nicky Allpress as Associate Director.
An Oscar -winning American actor, an English director and a Northern Irish playwright are about to begin rehearsals for a new play — one that could transform each of their careers. But when it turns out that they’re not on the same page, the night threatens to spiral out of control.
Power dynamics, cultural identity and the perils of being a woman in the entertainment industry; nothing is off limits in this pitch-black comedy.
Jeremy Herrin says: “I’m delighted that this rollercoaster of a play has summoned such a stellar roster of talent to join us for this pitch black comedy at the beautifully refurbished Riverside Studios.
I’ve always admired David Ireland’s fearlessness and the way he manages to skewer pretension in its many guises.
It’s an honour to bring the legend that is Woody Harrelson to London; to welcome Andy Serkis back to the stage after so much success in the movies; and to enjoy the brilliant Louisa Harland going toe-to-toe with them both.
It’ll be a thrilling evening and I can’t wait to see our audience’s reaction to this explosive show.”
Ulster American will run at Riverside Studios for 8 weeks from 4 December, with opening night on 13 December. Tickets start at £30 with 50 available at that price for every performance. Second Half Productions will also offer 200 free tickets to West London NHS staff through their partnership with Tickets for Good. Tickets will go on general sale at 10am on 12 October with priority booking open from 10 October. For priority access please sign up at http://ulsteramericanplay.com/.
Ireland’s critically acclaimed play received its world premiere in 2018 at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh. It is the recipient of the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award and the Scotsman Fringe First Award.
