The Young Vic Theatre has today announced details of four new shows to arrive at the theatre in 2016.
Following on from Matthew Xia’s production of Blue/Orange (12th May-18th June), the Young Vic Theatre will be presenting productions of The Emperor, A Man of Good Hope, The Nest and Once in a Lifetime.
The Emperor: 3rd-24th September – this world premiere production based on Ryszard Kapuściński’s will see Kathryn Hunter, Walter Meierjohann and Colin Teevan reunite, following their critical and popular hit Kafka’s Monkey.
A despotic ruler’s regime is beginning to crumble. We witness the downfall and debris through the eyes of his staff: a catalogue of characters created by award-winning actor Kathryn Hunter. Based on the book by Polish journalist Ryszard Kapuściński, The Emperor explores the artifice of absolute power.
A Man of Good Hope: 6th October – 12th November – based on the book by Jonny Steinberg and adapted by Isango Ensemble, this is the UK premiere of a tale about survival.
Asad is a young Somalian refugee in Ethiopia with a brilliant head for business. As a budding entrepreneur, he is in search of new opportunities abroad. And so he embarks on an epic journey to South Africa, hoping to find a promised land. But as he arrives horrific xenophobic violence ruptures society, sending the country – and Asad’s plans – into chaos.
The Nest: 28th October – 26th November – this new production of Franz Xaver Kroetz’s The Nest , sees Ian Rickson return to the Young Vic Theatre, with Connor Mcpherson’s new translation.
Kurt and Martha will soon become parents. They both work hard to provide for their new family, to give their child the best and most comfortable start in life. They have to; the perfect buggy doesn’t come cheap. But when Kurt’s boss offers him a chance to make some easy money, his decision threatens the health of his family and the entire community.
Once in a Lifetime: 25th November-14th January – Richard Jones will direct Christopher Hart’s adaptation of Kaufman and Hart’s classic Hollywood comedy.
Three actors in a struggling vaudeville troupe travel West to try their luck in 1930s Hollywood. With the advent of talking pictures, it’s a changing industry. A chance meeting with a film journalist gives the friends an idea: brimming with chutzpah they found a school of elocution for starlets of the silver screen, to help them adapt to ‘talkies’. When their scheme takes off they are plunged into the frenetic world of a Hollywood studio, full of glitz and glamour – but as their responsibilities escalate, will the lustre last?
Casting for each of the new productions announced has yet to be confirmed.