The Serpent's Tooth
Almeida Theatre in association with Talawa Theatre Company presents The Serpent's Tooth
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The Almeida Theatre in association with Talawa Theatre Company presents The Serpent's Tooth, a potent finale to King Lear, in an atmospheric promenade production in Shoreditch Town Hall's basement tunnels. Commissioned by Almeida Projects - the Almeida's Creative Learning Programme - this is the Almeida's first off-site production since it returned to its Upper Street home a decade ago.
Written by David Watson (Flight Path, Bush) and directed by Talawa Theatre Company's Artistic Director Michael Buffong (Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, National, Crawling in the Dark, Almeida), The Serpent's Tooth is an imaginative response to King Lear, following the Almeida's acclaimed production with Jonathan Pryce. King Lear and his family are dead, and in the aftermath of a cruel war the country is at a crossroads.
As lawlessness descends, an imprisoned traitor awaits his fate. A prominent diplomat arrives to oversee the trial of this infamous prisoner. But with the guards resisting his authority and the threat of invasion growing outside, the visitor's purpose begins to unravel. In an unstable country, vulnerable to violence, what form does justice take?
Michael Buffong became Artistic Director of Talawa Theatre Company in March 2012. For the Almeida, he directed Crawling in the Dark (Natalie Mitchell's response to David Eldridge's The Knot of the Heart) in 2011. Other recent projects include Moon on a Rainbow Shawl (National), the multi-award winning A Raisin in the Sun (Manchester Royal Exchange), and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Leicester Curve).
Michael Buffong, director: "I am thrilled to be directing this play and forging links between the Almeida and Talawa. It's a welcome challenge to take the Almeida away from its Islington home, and for Talawa to be exploring this new and exciting partnership. David Watson has taken the spirit, beauty and power found in King Lear and created something fantastic".
The Serpent's Tooth was commissioned by Almeida Projects, the Almeida's Creative Learning Programme. In the past decade, Almeida Projects has evolved from a grass-roots initiative to a comprehensive programme of theatre-based learning. Since its inception, the programme has commissioned ten new plays for young people, from writers including Joel Horwood, Rebecca Prichard and Roy Williams. This production marks a bold move in this area of Almeida Projects' work, fulfilling its ambition to take its work to wider audience.
The Serpent's Tooth by David Watson, directed by Michael Buffong, designed by Signe Beckmann at Shoreditch Town Hall from 7 to 17 November 2012
Venue: Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, London SC1V 9LT
Dates + times 7 - 17 November (Monday to Saturday) at 2.30pm, 7pm, 9pm
Ticket prices £15, concessions/under 30s: £10
Young Friends of the Almeida/TYPT: £5 (not available online, door sales: cash only)
Box office 020 7359 4404; almeida.co.uk/serpent
Written by David Watson (Flight Path, Bush) and directed by Talawa Theatre Company's Artistic Director Michael Buffong (Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, National, Crawling in the Dark, Almeida), The Serpent's Tooth is an imaginative response to King Lear, following the Almeida's acclaimed production with Jonathan Pryce. King Lear and his family are dead, and in the aftermath of a cruel war the country is at a crossroads.
As lawlessness descends, an imprisoned traitor awaits his fate. A prominent diplomat arrives to oversee the trial of this infamous prisoner. But with the guards resisting his authority and the threat of invasion growing outside, the visitor's purpose begins to unravel. In an unstable country, vulnerable to violence, what form does justice take?
Michael Buffong became Artistic Director of Talawa Theatre Company in March 2012. For the Almeida, he directed Crawling in the Dark (Natalie Mitchell's response to David Eldridge's The Knot of the Heart) in 2011. Other recent projects include Moon on a Rainbow Shawl (National), the multi-award winning A Raisin in the Sun (Manchester Royal Exchange), and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Leicester Curve).
Michael Buffong, director: "I am thrilled to be directing this play and forging links between the Almeida and Talawa. It's a welcome challenge to take the Almeida away from its Islington home, and for Talawa to be exploring this new and exciting partnership. David Watson has taken the spirit, beauty and power found in King Lear and created something fantastic".
The Serpent's Tooth was commissioned by Almeida Projects, the Almeida's Creative Learning Programme. In the past decade, Almeida Projects has evolved from a grass-roots initiative to a comprehensive programme of theatre-based learning. Since its inception, the programme has commissioned ten new plays for young people, from writers including Joel Horwood, Rebecca Prichard and Roy Williams. This production marks a bold move in this area of Almeida Projects' work, fulfilling its ambition to take its work to wider audience.
The Serpent's Tooth by David Watson, directed by Michael Buffong, designed by Signe Beckmann at Shoreditch Town Hall from 7 to 17 November 2012
Venue: Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, London SC1V 9LT
Dates + times 7 - 17 November (Monday to Saturday) at 2.30pm, 7pm, 9pm
Ticket prices £15, concessions/under 30s: £10
Young Friends of the Almeida/TYPT: £5 (not available online, door sales: cash only)
Box office 020 7359 4404; almeida.co.uk/serpent