The Big Idea/The Nether
Published on Thu 10 Jul 2014PRESS RELEASE
THE BIG IDEA: THE NETHER
The Big Idea continues at the Royal Court Theatre on 25 & 30 July, focusing on Jennifer Haley’s play The Nether.
A co-production with Headlong and directed by Headlong’s Artistic Director Jeremy Herrin, The Nether invites the audience to examine provocative and difficult questions in an increasingly technological age.
In Conversation with playwright Jennifer Haley
What constitutes real life? Are we really who we are in our physical bodies or in our imaginations?’
Friday 25 July 6.15pm
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Tickets £5 (or free with a ticket to The Nether, bookable in advance)
Jennifer Haley’s play The Nether runs at the Royal Court until 9 August. Her work often delves into ethics in virtual reality and the impact of technology on our human relationships, identity, and desire. The Nether premiered at Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre in 2013, where it won the Susan Smith Blackburn prize, the Ovation Award for Best New Play and an L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award.
The Big Debate: ‘Fantasy, reality and morality: what are the consequences of the moral decisions we make in virtual or online worlds?
Guest speakers to be announced
Wednesday 30 July 6.15pm
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Tickets £5 (or free with a ticket to The Nether, bookable in advance)
The Big Idea is a new strand of work at the Royal Court launched during last year’s Open Court festival, offering audiences radical thinking and provocative discussion inspired by the work on stage.
AlixPartners support The Big Idea at the Royal Court Theatre
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For more information, please contact Anna Evans on 020 7565 5063 annaevans@royalcourttheatre.com
Notes to Editors:
Age Guidance 18+ – Contains adult content and language and scenes of a disturbing nature.
The Nether
by Jennifer Haley
Directed by Jeremy Herrin
A Co-production with Headlong
Thursday 17 July – Saturday 9 August
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square SW1W 8AS
“I’ve read the studies. No one has been able to draw a conclusive correlation between virtual behaviour and behaviour in-world.”
Set in the not too distant future, The Nether offers complete freedom – a wonderland that provides total sensory immersion. Just log in, choose an identity and indulge your every desire. But when a young detective uncovers a disturbing brand of entertainment, she triggers an interrogation into the darkest corners of imagination.
Winner of the 2012 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, The Nether is both an intricate crime drama and a haunting sci-fi thriller that explores the repercussions of making dreams a reality.
Monday-Saturday 7.30pm
Saturday Matinees 2.30pm (from 26 July)
Thursday Matinees 2.30pm (from 31 July)
Press Night Thursday 24 July
Captioned Performance Wednesday 6 August
Audio Described Performance Saturday 9 August 2.30pm
Tickets £32, £22, £16, £12
Mondays all seats £10 (available in advance to Friends and Supporters subject to availability and on the day of the performance from 9am online)
Concessions £5 off top two prices* (available in advance for all performances until 26 July inclusive and all matinees. For all other performances, available on a standby basis on the day)
25s and under £10 (limited availability)
School and HE Groups of 8+ 50% off top two prices (available Wednesday-Saturday), plus matinees)
Groups of 6+ £5 off top price (available Wednesday-Saturday)
Access £12 (plus a companion at the same rate)
*ID required. All discounts are subject to availability
AlixPartners support The Big Idea at the Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court offer radical thinkers and provocative voices a home, wherever they come from. The Big Idea series brings this to life by engaging the public in debate and discussion about civic, political, domestic and international issues. As a leading global business advisory firm of results-oriented professionals who specialise in creating value and enhancing performance, we share in this conviction to challenge pre-conceived standards and generate new ideas. AlixPartners is delighted to support the Royal Court in this exciting new programme.