The critically acclaimed Off-Broadway comedy written by and starring Jesse Eisenberg will have its European premiere at the Trafalgar Studios in May.
This sharp new comedy written by the star of The Social Network and co-starring Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) will be directed by Scott Elliott at the Trafalgar Studios from the 27th May until the 13th August.
It is the third play to be written by Eisenberg and had a successful run at the The Pershing Square Signature Center last year.
Nobody likes Ben. Ben doesn’t even like Ben. He bullies everyone in his life, including his roommate Kalyan, an earnest Nepalese immigrant. When Ben discovers that his school crush is marrying a straight-laced banker, he sets out to destroy their relationship and win her back.
The European premiere will see Eisenberg star as Ben and original co-star Nayyar as Kalyan, with further casting yet to be announced.
The Spoils is a cutting glimpse of one lost soul who is trying to assent the reality of his situation. A painfully awkward comedy that speaks to a self-analysing millennial generation.
As well as being directed by Scott Elliott, the creative team also includes: set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski, sound design by Rob Milburn andMichael Bodeen and projection design by Olivia Sebesky.
Talking about his play Jesse Eisenberg said: “The Spoils explores issues as disparate as stunted sexuality and the politics of the deposed Nepalese Monarchy, NFL on Fox and the fluctuating prices of tea on the agrarian market. It’s about how all of these seemingly unrelated things intersect to create a portrait of life in a complicated, heterogeneous society.”
Scott Elliott, Artistic Director, The New Group said “When ATG offered us the opportunity to bring a New Group show from New York to Trafalgar Studios I just couldn’t resist. It’s been a decade since we were on the West End with our production of Avenue Q and Jesse Eisenberg’s The Spoils, a fiercely emotional, finely observed ensemble play written by and starring a truly singular artist, seemed the perfect way for London theatergoers to become reacquainted with our work.”
The Spoils will run at the Trafalgar Studios from the 27th May to the 13th August. To book tickets visit: ATG Tickets, Ticketmaster.co.uk, Discount Theatre.com, Last Minute.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Love Theatre.com, Theatre People.com and UK Tickets.co.uk.