Royal Court Theatre announces new Artistic Director David Byrne's inaugural season

Published on Mon 4 Mar 2024

Productions in chronological order of opening:

  • Dugsi Dayz by Sabrina Ali, a Side eYe production
  • Bluets based on the book Bluets by Maggie Nelson, adapted for the stage by Margaret Perry
  • Lie Low by Ciara Elizabeth Smyth, a Ciara Elizabeth Smyth and Prime Cut Productions co-production
  • The Bounds by Stewart Pringle, a Royal Court Theatre and Live Theatre co-production
  • ECHO (Every Cold Hearted Oxygen) by Nassim Soleimanpour, an NSP Production, co-produced by LIFT (London) / The Royal Court Theatre (London), Staatstheater Mainz, Riksteatern (Sweden), Why Not Theatre (Toronto), Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles (Brussels) / Le Lieu Unique (Nantes), Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg. In association with The Shed (New York City) and Canberra Theatre Centre
  • G by Tife Kusoro
  • Giant by Mark Rosenblatt
  • BRACE BRACE by Oli Forsyth
  • Expendable by Emteaz Hussain

 

David Byrne, Artistic Director of the Royal Court: ‘There are 10 Royal Court debuts this season. It’s my first programme as Artistic Director, and it’s the Royal Court debut for each of the nine exceptional writers.

More than just a season, this is a statement of intent for what’s to come: a new generation of bold voices with big, messy stories to tell; world-renowned artists rubbing alongside insurgent new talent, igniting some unmissable theatre on our stages. 

This is an invitation to audiences, artists and fellow playwrights everywhere: across my time at the Royal Court, we’ll be treading the path of maximum adventure. Times may be difficult but we’re up for the challenge, and the mission of the Court – to champion brave writers that push us forward – has never been more vital. Come join us, I want to take everybody along for the ride.’

 

Productions:

Dugsi Dayz
By Sabrina Ali
Directed by Poppy Clifford
Originally co-directed by Warda Mohamed
Performed by Susu Ahmed, Sabrina Ali, Faduma Issa, Hadsan Mohamud
Wednesday 1 May – Saturday 18 May 2024
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Press Night: Friday 3 May 2024

Bluets
Based on the book Bluets by Maggie Nelson
Adapted for the stage by Margaret Perry
Directed by Katie Mitchell
Friday 17 May –  Saturday 29 June 2024
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Press Night: Friday 24 May 2024

Lie Low
By Ciara Elizabeth Smyth
Directed by Oisín Kearney
Wednesday 22 May – Saturday 8 June 2024
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Press Night: Tuesday 28 May 2024

The Bounds
By Stewart Pringle
Directed by Jack McNamara
Thursday 13 June –  Saturday 13 July 2024
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Press Night: Monday 17 June 2024

ECHO (Every Cold Hearted Oxygen)
By Nassim Soleimanpour
Directed by Omar Elerian
Saturday 13 July – Saturday 27 July 2024
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Press Night: Wednesday 17 July 2024

G
By Tife Kusoro
Thursday 22 August – Saturday 21 September 2024
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Press Night: Friday 30 August 2024

Giant
By Mark Rosenblatt
Directed by Nicholas Hytner
Friday 20 September – Saturday 16 November 2024
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Press Night: Thursday 26 September 2024

BRACE BRACE
By Oli Forsyth
Directed by Daniel Raggett
Thursday 3 October – Saturday 9 November 2024
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Press Night: Wednesday 9 October 2024

Expendable
By Emteaz Hussain
Directed by Esther Richardson
Dramaturgy by Nazli Tabatabai-Khatambakhsh
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Thursday 21 November – Saturday 21 December 2024
Press Night: Wednesday 27 November 2024

 

See here for the full press release.