05 September 2024
Newsdesk
The Almeida Theatre will host a series of readings, talks and performances as part of the Angry and Young season this autumn, headlined by the previously announced revivals of John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger, directed by Atri Banerjee and Arnold Wesker’s Roots, directed by Diyan Zora.
The additional events include:
Angry and Young: Unearthed
Rehearsed readings of three other twentieth-century seminal plays: Serjeant Musgrave's Dance by John Arden, The Lion in Love by Shelagh Delaney and Skyvers by Barry Reckord, with casting to be announced. Plus, a staged performance of extracts from other rediscovered plays from the same era, performed by Almeida Young Company alumni.
Angry and Young: Revive
A panel event, chaired by playwright and academic Dan Rebellato, exploring the question ‘Why revive post-war plays?’, and a documentary exploring the legacy of Roots and Look Back in Anger.
Angry and Young: Stages
One hour of pop-up performances in the foyer between matinee and evening performances on Saturday 12, 19 and 26 October, 9 and 16 November, platforming working-class artists. Additionally, a UK-wide project inviting early career and working-class artists to submit devised responses to creative prompts from the repertory season. Eight shortlisted artists will receive a £500 bursary to develop their idea, with their digital piece showcased on Sunday 10 November.
Angry and Young: Almeida For Free
A free performance of Roots and Look Back in Anger, exclusively for audiences aged 25 and under. Additional Almeida For Free events curated by the Almeida Young Producers will be announced soon.
ANGRY AND YOUNG: UNEARTHED
Explore the golden age of British playwriting at our series of rehearsed readings. Plus, an archive-based performance of unearthed texts from the same period.
SERJEANT MUSGRAVE’S DANCE
by John Arden
Sunday 17 November, 2pm
A rehearsed reading of John Arden’s anti-war play about a group of army deserters radicalised by their pacifist serjeant. The play caused a stir amongst reviewers of its 1959 premiere, prompting them to demand of the public: “What kind of theatre do you want?”. This performance asks whether the play retains its daring idealism.
THE LION IN LOVE
by Shelagh Delaney
Sunday 17 November, 6pm
A rehearsed reading of Shelagh Delaney’s lesser-known follow up to A Taste of Honey. In this 1960 play, a multigenerational Irish immigrant family, living and working in Salford, ask: "What makes a happy life?". As the younger generation begins to fly the nest, their parents struggle to accept the confines of their lives.
SKYVERS
by Barry Reckord
Friday 22 November, 2pm
A rehearsed reading of Skyvers by Barry Reckord, one of the first Caribbean playwrights to have plays produced on the London stage. Following a group of underprivileged boys in their last week at school, this 1963 play questions the value of an education system that writes off students before they even enter the classroom.
Directors and casting for the play readings will be announced soon.
EXTRACTS
Sunday 10 November, 4.30-6.30pm
Unearthed: Extracts stages and celebrates the creative work of working-class artists from the 1950s and 60s: giving a voice to the unheard and often overlooked from this period.
Performed by Almeida Young Company alumni and including a variety of unpublished works ranging from theatre, letters, spoken word and more, showcasing a range of performance styles directly from London archives.
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ANGRY AND YOUNG: REVIVE
Dive deeper into the Angry and Young season at our industry-led panel event and check out our documentary on producing a repertory season.
EVERYTHING SINCE THE KITCHEN SINK: WHY REVIVE POST-WAR PLAYS?
Tuesday 15 October, 4-5pm
Did 1956 revolutionise British theatre? Do we feel the aftershocks of this moment in playwriting today? And can a revival ever be as radical as a new play?
Playwright and academic, Dan Rebellato invites a guest panel to explore the challenges and opportunities in reviving British post-war plays in 2024.
DOCUMENTARY
A short documentary exploring the legacy of Roots and Look Back in Anger and their relevance today in 2024, featuring interviews with artists and academics. To be released in autumn 2024.
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ANGRY AND YOUNG: STAGES
Discover new artists in our foyer on Saturdays between performances and collaborate on a UK-wide creative project for emerging working-class artists.
SATURDAY STAGES
Saturday 12, 19 and 26 October, 9 and 16 November, 4.30-5.30pm
What is the antidote to anger?
Slotting in between the matinee and evening show, Saturday Stages is an antidote, a pause and a creative break, that provides a space for early career and working-class artists to perform their work, and respond to the politics and themes portrayed in both Roots and Look Back in Anger.
HOME STAGES
Sunday 10 November, 1-4pm
A screening event platforming the work of eight selected emerging and working-class artists from across the country.
Followed by a networking event for the artists, invited guests and audience members held in the foyer at the Almeida Theatre.
With thanks to our Production Syndicate and The Noël Coward Foundation who have helped make our Angry and Young season possible.
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ROOTS??
by Arnold Wesker???
Director: Diyan Zora; Set Designer: Naomi Dawson; Costume Designer: Tomás Palmer; Lighting Designer: Lee Curran; Sound Designer: George Dennis; Movement Director: Chris Evans; Fight and Intimacy Director: Yarit Dor; Casting Director: Amy Ball CDG; Associate Director: Tian Brown-Sampson
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Tuesday 10 September – Saturday 23 November??
Press Performance: Tuesday 1 October, 7pm?
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The press performances of Roots and Look Back in Anger will both be performed on Tuesday 1 October, as part of a press day.?????
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What’ve you done since you come in? Hev you said anythin’? I mean really said or done anything to show you’re alive???
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Beatie Bryant returns to her rural home in Norfolk, inflamed with political zeal from her time spent living in London. As the family anxiously prepares for the arrival of her firebrand activist boyfriend Ronnie, Beatie struggles to fit back into her old way of life.???
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As Beatie’s radical new ideals fail to land with her traditional family, the differences between young and old are laid bare.??
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Diyan Zora (Tom Fool; English) directs a new production of Arnold Wesker’s lyrical, impassioned play about a young woman’s journey to self-discovery which, together with John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger, changed British theatre forever. The mirror they held up to 1950s society is now angled towards 2024, with the two plays running alongside each other in repertory for 11 weeks, as part of the Almeida’s Angry and Young season.?
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Cast includes Michael Abubakar (Jimmy Beales), Morfydd Clark (Beatie Bryant), Iwan Davies (Mr Healey), Billy Howle (Frankie Bryant), Eliot Salt (Jenny Beales), Sophie Stanton (Mrs Bryant), Ellora Torchia (Pearl Bryant), Tony Turner (Stan Mann) and Deka Walmsley (Mr Bryant).
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LOOK BACK IN ANGER??
by John Osborne??
Director: Atri Banerjee; Set Designer: Naomi Dawson; Costume Designer: Tomás Palmer; Lighting Designer: Lee Curran; Sound Designer: Peter Rice; Movement Director: Imogen Knight; Fight and Intimacy Director: Yarit Dor; Casting Director: Amy Ball CDG; Associate Director: Chloe Christian; Associate Movement Director: Rhys Dennis
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Friday 20 September – Saturday 23 November??
Press Performance: Tuesday 1 October, 1.30pm?
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The press performances of Roots and Look Back in Anger will both be performed on Tuesday 1 October, as part of a press day.?
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You see, I learnt at an early age what it was to be angry – angry and helpless. And I can never forget it.??
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Jimmy Porter is frustrated by his post-war life running a local stall. Embittered by the disapproval of his wife Alison’s wealthier family and a world that has shut him out, he frequently spirals into fits of rage.?
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One night, when Alison’s friend unexpectedly turns up at their home, this uneasy marriage descends further into freefall, with their friends left trying to keep the peace.??
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Former Almeida Resident Director Atri Banerjee (The Glass Menagerie; Julius Caesar) directs a new production of John Osborne’s ground-breaking, furious play which, alongside Arnold Wesker’s Roots, changed British theatre forever. The mirror they held up to 1950s society is now angled towards 2024, with the two plays running alongside each other in repertory for 11 weeks, as part of the Almeida’s Angry and Young season.??
Cast includes Morfydd Clark (Helena Charles), Iwan Davies (Cliff Lewis), Billy Howle (Jimmy Porter), Ellora Torchia (Alison Porter) and Deka Walmsley (Colonel Redfern).
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Event Listings
ANGRY AND YOUNG: UNEARTHED
Serjeant Musgrave’s Dance
Sunday 17 November, 2pm
The Lion in Love
Sunday 17 November, 6pm
Skyvers
Friday 22 November, 2pm
Extracts
Sunday 10 November, 4.30pm
ANGRY AND YOUNG: REVIVE
Everything Since The Kitchen Sink: Why Revive Post-war Plays?
Tuesday 15 October, 4pm
ANGRY AND YOUNG: STAGES
Saturday Stages
Saturday 12, 19 and 26 October, 9 and 16 November, 4.30pm
Home Stages
Sunday 10 November, 1pm
Roots and Look Back in Anger
Tuesday 10 September - Saturday 23 November
Evenings: 7.30pm, Matinees: 2pm
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Access
Roots ?
Audio Described performance:
Saturday 23 November 2pm (Touch Tour 12pm)
Captioned performance:
Friday 15 November 7.30pm???
Relaxed Environment performances:??
Wednesday 30 October 2pm & Wednesday 6 November 7.30pm?
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Look Back in Anger
Audio Described performance:??
Saturday 2 November 2pm (Touch Tour 12pm)???
Captioned performance:??
Thursday 31 October 7.30pm???
Relaxed Environment performances:??
Wednesday 30 October 7.30pm & Wednesday 6 November 2pm?
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