Donmar Warehouse announces 2017/2018 programme
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
ARTISTIC Director Josie Rourke and Executive Producer Kate Pakenham have announced three new productions at the Donmar Warehouse for late 2017 and through to 2018: a new play by Amy Herzog, Belleville, a revival of Peter Gill’s modern classic, The York Realist, and a new production of William Congreve’s Restoration comedy The Way of the World.
Artistic Director Josie Rourke said:
“I am delighted to share with you the Donmar’s new season: a premiere of an American play, a revival of a modern classic, and one of the great Restoration comedies.
“At the end of this year the Donmar will stage the UK premiere of American playwright Amy Herzog’s dazzling play Belleville. Set at Christmas in a bohemian quarter of Paris, James Norton, Imogen Poots, Faith Alabi and Malachi Kirby will all make their Donmar debuts. I am also thrilled to welcome the director Michael Longhurst to the Donmar for the first time, after his acclaimed productions of Caroline, or Change, Amadeus and Constellations.
“Peter Gill’s work as a playwright has been part of the Donmar’s story for the past decade. We’re proud to be reviving his influential play, The York Realist. Donmar Associate Robert Hastie, who delighted Donmar audiences with his celebrated productions of My Night with Reg and Splendour, will direct this delicate piece about love and family ties in rural Yorkshire. He has assembled another stunning cast which includes Ben Batt, Lucy Black, Lesley Nicol, Katie West and Matthew Wilson.
“Finally, we are transported back to 1700 with arguably the best comedy written in the English language: William Congreve’s Restoration comedy The Way of the World. We welcome James Macdonald back to the Donmar, after his mesmerizing production of Roots to direct this hilarious classic treat of tricks, love and money. His cast includes Linda Bassett as the brilliant and witty Lady Wishfort.
“With this season the Donmar aims to bring audiences world-class artists and essential stories for our times told within the intimate setting of our Covent Garden home.”
As well as the above productions, Donmar Associate Artist Tom Scutt will curate Donmar on Design, a week-long festival celebrating the power of design in theatre, and the designers who make it happen.
The Donmar’s free ticket scheme for those aged 25 and under, YOUNG+FREE, will continue to offer seats for performances across the new season. YOUNG+FREE is funded through the generosity of audiences via the Donmar’s PAY IT FORWARD scheme.
KLAXON tickets will also continue across the season. Starting from £10, KLAXON tickets are put on sale every Monday for performances in the following three weeks. Tickets will be available across the auditorium at every price band.
Directed by Yaël Farber, Knives in Hens continues at the Donmar Warehouse until October 7. It will be followed – from October 12 to December 2, 2017 – by Elinor Cook’s new version of Ibsen’s masterpiece The Lady from the Sea.