The Royal Court Theatre has been supporting and creating opportunities for new writers for over a century. It is also bursting at the seams with new and innovative theatre pieces and this year is no exception. The brand-new 2024 season at the Royal Court Theatre is going to see the debut of nine new writers and artistic director David Byrne. Here is the line up for the upcoming season and what to look out for.
Dugsi Dayz by Sabrina Ali (1 May- 18 May)
Inspired by the 1985 film The Breakfast Club, Dugsi Dayz is a hilarious and realistic comedy that explores Somali, Muslim culture, and female friendship. It was written by Sabrina Ali (Muna Knows it All) and directed by Poppy Clifford (originally co-directed by Warda Mohamed). Dugsi Dayz launches the Royal Court’s upstairs season in 2024 after a sold-out national tour and an award-winning run at the Edinburgh Fringe. The piece originated from a sketch show that Rich Mix hosted as a part of Somali Week Festival.
Bluets adapted by Margaret Perry (17 May-29 June)
Based on the book by Maggie Nelson, this newly adapted play tackles themes of desperation, pain, pleasure and desire. The play follows the protagonist, who has had a life long obsession with the colour blue. As they surround themselves with works of Andy Warhol, Billie Holiday, Joni Mitchell and numerous others, blue appears to be the only constant in their life as they are navigating a tough heartbreak. The production will star Emma D’arcy, Kayla Meikle and Ben Wishaw.
Lie Low by Ciara Elizabeth Smyth (22 May- 8 June)
Director Oisín Kearney (My Left Nut) and writer Ciara Elizabeth Smyth (Sauce) have created a disturbing new drama titled Lie Low, which explores themes of trauma, terror, and family. It provides a dramatic investigation of the human brain’s reaction to sexual assault. In an attempt to overcome her sleeplessness, Faye asks her brother Naoise for assistance in trying an exposure therapy method. However, Naoise is going to reveal a terrible secret.
The Bounds by Stewart Pringle (13 June-13 July)
Written by Stewart Pringle and directed by Jack McNamara, The Bounds is a darkly comedic tale of national divides, folk horror and the end of the world as we know it. The play tells the story of the Allen Valley Whitsun football game of 1553, where the stakes are high and it could be a matter of life and death. Miles away from the excitement, Percy and Rowan are out in the middle of nowhere when a stranger shows up, bringing news that will change their lives forever.
ECHO (Every Cold Hearted Oxygen) by Nassim Soleimanpour (13 July-27 July)
In this brand new experimental theatre piece sees a new performer on stage having had no rehearsal time. This improvisational drama is sure to be fresh every night and has the main purpose of accurately portraying what it feels like to be an immigrant in time as much as in space. ECHO is an experiment in concept touring for the era of climate catastrophe, combining technology with old-school techniques to create an ambitious, enchanting, and demanding performance in which everyone may be there without having to travel.
G by Tife Kusoro (22 August- 21 September)
G is a bold, visceral play from writer Tife Kusoro, Royal Court Introduction to Playwriting Group alumni and winner of the Lynne Gagliano Award in 2020. According to urban folklore, Baitface takes Black boys’ lives and faces. All you have to do is step face-up beneath a pair of sneakers that are hanging from a phone wire. Joy, Kai, and Khaleem are only attempting to get by at school. Their identities, friendships, and lifestyles start to fall apart the night of an alleged crime when the ghost of Baitface the Gullyman appears.
Giant by Mark Rosenblatt (20 September- 16 November)
Starring award-winning actor John Lithgow, Ghost is based on the life of beloved children’s author Roald Dahl. The play focuses on his career during the summer of 1983, when his novel Witches is due to be released. His world is then rocked by an explosive confrontation around an offensive article he published. Dahl is forced to either publicly apologise or risk his whole reputation. The hard-hitting play deals with themes of antisemitism and racism, while pulling the curtain back on one of one of Britain’s most famous writers.
Brace Brace By Oli Forsyth (3 October- 2 November)
The play written by Oli Forsyth, follows Ray and Sylvia as they struggle to deal with their emotions after surviving being on a plane that was hijacked. The play explore the devastating effects shared trauma can have on a relationship and the inner battle people have to deal with to come to terms with a traumatic event. The gripping story is directed by Daniel Raggett, who also directed The Accidental Death of An Anarchist, recently on the West End.
Expendable by Emteaz Hussain (21 November- 21 December)
Closing the 2024 season is the brand-new play Expendable by Emteaz Hussain. The play examines the inequalities within the media and law enforcement while highlighting how Pakistani women are frequently over-looked and ignored. The play is based on how between the 1990s and 2010s hundreds of young girls were sexually exploited in northern towns by gangs of predatory men. In the fictional retelling, two sisters grapple with the impact on their community as the men around them are embroiled in a sexual abuse scandal.
For further details about the upcoming season and to book tickets please visit the Royal Court Theatre Website.
Words by Gemma McDonald
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