Cast Announced for In Basildon by David Eldridge

Tuesday 20 December

In Basildon
By David Eldridge
Directed by Dominic Cooke
Thursday 16 February – Saturday 24 March
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Press Night, Wednesday 22 February 2012, 7pm

The full cast has been announced for In Basildon by David Eldridge, which opens 2012 in the Royal Court Theatre Downstairs from 16 February (press night 22 February).

The cast includes Linda Bassett, Max Bennett, Debbie Chazen, Phil Cornwell, Christian Dixon, Wendy Nottingham, Lee Ross, Ruth Sheen, Peter Wight and Jade Williams.

In Basildon is directed by Royal Court Artistic Director Dominic Cooke, designed by Ian MacNeil, costumes by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting by Guy Hoare and sound by Paul Arditti.

“‘People always get the wrong idea about Essex don’t they?”

Len’s on his death bed and the family gather to say their final farewells. His sisters still aren’t speaking after nearly 20 years, his nephew’s trying for a baby – and a bigger house, while his best mate Ken remembers ‘Bas-vegas’ when it was a village. As the spread is laid out and the ham sandwiches sit next to the wreaths, it’s hard to see who’s hungry and who’s just greedy

An epic family drama exploring inheritance and the myth of place.

David Eldridge was last at the Royal Court with Under the Blue Sky. His recent credits include Knot of the Heart at the Almeida Theatre, The Stock Da’wa at Hampstead Theatre, The Lady From The Sea for the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky with Robert Holman and Simon Stephens for the Lyric Hammersmith, Market Boy at the National Theatre and Festen at the Almeida and West End.

Artistic Director of the Royal Court Dominic Cooke directs. His recent credits include Chicken Soup with Barley, for which he was nominated for an Evening Standard Award and the multi award-winning production of Clybourne Park for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award. Clybourne Park, which won writer Bruce Norris a Pulitzer Prize, opened at the Royal Court in September 2010 to critical acclaim before transferring to the West End. He is currently directing The Comedy of Errors at the National Theatre.

Other credits at the Royal Court include Aunt Dan and Lemon, The Fever, Seven Jewish Children, Wig Out!, Now or Later, Rhinoceros and two plays in Mark Ravenhill’s Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat. His credits elsewhere include Arabian Nights and Noughts and Crosses, both for the RSC, as adapter and director. He won the Olivier award for Best Director and Best Revival for The Crucible.

Cast
Linda Bassett Doreen
Max Bennett Tom
Debbie Chazen Jackie
Phil Cornwell Len
Christian Dixon Reverend David Williams
Wendy Nottingham Pam
Lee Ross Barry
Ruth Sheen Maureen
Peter Wight Ken
Jade Williams Shelley

Creative Team
Dominic Cooke Director
Ian MacNeil Designer
Nicky Gillibrand Costume Designer
Guy Hoare Lighting Designer
Paul Arditti Sound Designer

In Basildon
By David Eldridge
Directed by Dominic Cooke
Thursday 16 February – Saturday 24 March 2012
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs Royal Court Theatre Sloane Square SW1W 8AS
Monday-Saturday 7.30pm
Saturday Matinees 2.30pm (from 25 February)
Thursday Matinees 2.30pm (from 15 March)
Press Night Wednesday 22 February 7pm
Post-show Talk Tuesday 6 March
Captioned performance Wednesday 21 March
Audio Described Performance Saturday 24 March 2.30pm
Age Guidance 14+
Tickets £28, £20, £12
Mondays all seats £10 (available in advance to friends and Supporters and on the day of the performance from 9am online, 10am in person)
Concessions £5 off top two prices* (available in advance for all performances until Saturday 25 February inclusive and all matinees. For all other performances, available on a standby basis on the day)
25s and under £8* (available on £20 and £12 tickets)
School and HE Groups of 8+ 50% off top two prices (available Tuesday-Friday)
Groups of 6+ £5 off top price (available Tuesday-Friday)
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate)
*ID required. All discounts are subject to availability

Coutts is the Principal Sponsor of the Royal Court Theatre

Coutts is the UK private banking arm of the Royal Bank of Scotland. Coutts has a long history of supporting the arts going back 200 years, having looked after the financial affairs of many famous clients connected with the arts such as Bram Stoker, Charles Dickens and Chopin. In 1816, Thomas Coutts married Harriot Mellon, a popular actress of her day, and together they became partners of a number of London Theatres, including the Drury Lane and the Royal Opera House. Coutts has even featured in a number of artistic works including The Gondoliers by Gilbert and Sullivan, and Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. In the new millennium, this tradition has continued not only through managing the finances of many of today’s top writers, actors and musicians, but also through our arts sponsorship programme and we are delighted to support The Royal Court and its diverse range of ground-breaking performances.

For further information please contact Anna Evans in the Royal Court Press Office on
020 7565 5063 or e-mail annaevans@royalcourttheatre.com.