UK BLOG

The Almeida Theatre: Becky Shaw
The Almeida theatre has a history of exciting American premieres, from Edward Albee to Neil LaBute. This month London audiences are being treated to a romantic comedy about a disastrous blind date: Gina Gionfriddo's Becky Shaw. A big hit off-Broadway, actor David Wilson Barnes and director Peter DuBois are now testing the waters in Islington. Expect plenty of laughs and an intelligent look at social mores.
13 January - 5 March 2011 (almeida.co.uk).


The Bush: The Schools Season
It is going to be an exciting year at the Bush Theatre, not least because the theatre itself is due to move from above a not-very-nice pub to a former library. In the meantime it has two interesting new plays around the theme of education: John Donnelly was a school teacher before becoming a playwright, and his play, The Knowledge, centres on a young teacher falls apart in a failing school. Equally topical is Steve Waters' new satire Little Platoons, based on a group of West London parents (who might well live within hailing distance of the Bush itself) who attempt to open a 'free school'.
The Knowledge and Little Platoons run in repertory 12 January - 19 February 2011 (bushtheatre.com)

The Finborough Theatre: Oh to be in England
This gem of a West London venue is currently showcasing a programme of 'rediscovered' (but not, admittedly, new) plays, including The Potting Shed by Graham Greene, many of which haven't been seen in London for years. There is one world premiere: Oh to be in England, by David Pinner. Written in 1973 this dark political comedy about the UK in dire straights still cuts close to the bone.
Sundays and Mondays 9 January -24 January 2011 (finboroughtheatre.co.uk)

The National Theatre: Greenland  
Feeling bold? Then look no further than Greenland at the National Theatre. A piece of documentary theatre, director Bijan Sheibani is working with no fewer than four writers: Moira Buffini, Matt Charman, Penelope Skinner and Jack Thorne. Based on interviews with the great and the good from the worlds of science, politics, business and philosophy, the team ask suitably ambitious questions about the future of the planet. If they can pull it off it should be fantastic;if not it will make for compulsory catastrophic viewing.
25 January - 2 April 2011(nationaltheatre.org.uk)


The Royal Court: Rough Cuts
The Royal Court is the powerhouse of new writing in London. 2011 promises new work from Richard Bean and Simon Stephens as well as a transfer of the smash hit Clybourne Park opening in the West End at the end of this month. But why not really get in on things at the beginning? The Rough Cuts season is about work-in-progress — short plays still being shaped and experimental readings performed away from the eyes of the critics. Contributions will come from Alia Bano, Brad Birch and DC Jackson as well as choreographer Manwe Sauls-Addison. Who knows what you might see? But unfinished or not nearly every show here is a sell out — book early.
Rough Cuts runs from 19 January - 28 January 2011 at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs. Clybourne Park opens at Wyndham's Theatre on 28 January 2011 (royalcourttheatre.com)

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