The Playground Theatre will honour multi-award winning playwright Gail Louw with a five-week season presenting three world premieres along with one acclaimed international production of her best-known work BLONDE POISON. All four shows in the season are based on true events with one thing in common; flawed characters.
STORMING! (world premiere) runs from 20 to 24 February and is directed by Anthony Shrubsall and stars Chris Barritt, Edmund Sage-Green and Bu Kunene.
BLONDE POISON runs from 27 February to 3 March and is directed by Fred Abrahamse and stars Fiona Ramsay.
RIKA’S ROOMS (world premiere) runs from 5 to 10 March, directed by Anthony Shrubsall and stars Emma Wilkinson Wright (The Mitfords).
THE GIRL IN THE GREEN JUMPER (world premiere) runs from 13 to 24 March. It is directed by Christian Holder and stars Peter Tate and Natalie Ava Nasr.
About STORMING!
“My lawyer told me they aren't allowed to kill people who are nuts. So they have to medicate me to make me appear less nuts. They have to restore competence. Then they can charge me and try me and find me guilty of murder and execute me.”
Based on a true story, STORMING! unravels the harrowing tale of Russell Weston, who infamously stormed the Capitol in 1998, resulting in the tragic deaths of two officers. Afflicted by schizophrenia, Weston's journey takes an unexpected turn as the legal system grapples with the complexities of his mental illness.
Chris Barritt takes on the role of Rusty Weston. The play delves into the intricate relationships between Weston, the woman played by Bu Kunene and the court-appointed psychiatrist Dr. David Gordon, played by Edmund Sage-Green, questioning the factors that influenced Dr. David's decision to enforce medication. Amidst the legal battles and psychological struggles, the play introduces the unexpected element of cloning, adding a new dimension to the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by all involved.
STORMING! intricately weaves together a gripping exploration of mental illness, justice, and the blurred lines between reality and perception, offering audiences a thought-provoking and emotionally charged theatrical experience.
For more information on STORMING! please visit theplaygroundtheatre.org.uk/projects/storming
About Gail Louw
Gail Louw, an award-winning playwright, has had 20 of her plays produced, with 13 published in three collections by Oberon Books. She is globally recognised for her monologues and her plays, inspired by real events, often centre on flawed characters. Her most renowned work, BLONDE POISON, which is showcased in this season, has enjoyed eight productions worldwide, including performances at the Sydney Opera House, in LA, and Berlin. This play won the Argus Angel award for Artistic Excellence at the Brighton Festival. DUWAYNE was honoured as the Best New Play at the Brighton Festival. Her other works, AND THIS IS MY FRIEND MR LAUREL and SHACKLETON’S CARPENTER, have toured extensively.
Gail was born into a Jewish family in South Africa and lived in Israel before moving to the UK in 1976. Once an academic and lecturer, she has focused on playwriting for the last 24 years. The death of her maternal grandparents in a concentration camp and the rich culture of her upbringing have significantly influenced her life. Her earliest plays consistently explored Jewish themes, particularly those related to her mother and aunt. Louw's body of work is politically charged, highlighting recurring social injustices, post-colonialism, and racial issues like apartheid and anti-Semitism.
About The Gail Louw Season
Peter Tate, Founder and Artistic Director of The Playground Theatre, encountered Gail Louw's plays at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023, and was captivated by the dramatic clarity of her writing. He explains, “I admire Louw's wide divergence in content and wanted to explore more. She is a remarkable writer and what could be a better way to celebrate her work than by presenting a Gail Louw Season at The Playground."
About The Playground Theatre
With several OFFIE award nominations and winner of OFFIE for Best Production 2022, The Playground Theatre is a 100-seat venue in West London, converted from a bus depot into a state-of-the-art theatre. Since it opened as a fully equipped theatre in 2017, it has collaborated with two Oscar- and many Olivier award winners. Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Emmy award winners have also presented their work at The Playground. The Playground Theatre is also known for its outstanding outreach projects such as Well Read and We Start. Here many bold and imaginative new works have been fostered, as the ones to be presented in Gail Louw’s Season. The Playground is fully engaged with the rich and diverse community in Kensington and Chelsea, and beyond.
The Playground Theatre is located on Latimer Road, in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, W10. It is accessible by all forms of transport and the nearest stations are Latimer Road and White City.
