Lucy J Skilbeck and Nancy Medina both won the Genesis Future Directors Awards for 2017 and will direct three plays between them, to be shown at the Young Vic.
From March 22nd to the 1st April 2017, The Clare will be presenting Lucy J Skilbeck’s productions of two one-act comedic shorts The Bear and The Proposal. The plays written by Anton Chekhov and adapted for this production by Michael Frayn, both explore gender divisions and its absurdities.
In The Bear, widow Elena has vowed to stay at home grieving for the rest of her days. But seven months into her mourning, a mysterious stranger turns up and forces her to engage with the outside world again.
Meanwhile, The Proposal sees a bachelor asking his neighbour for his daughter’s hand in marriage, seemingly practical for Lomov, who believes Natalya is as good a match as he can hope to find a misunderstanding threatens to throw off Lomov’s plans.
Dael Orlandersmith’s Yellowman will also appear at The Clare, from the 22nd November until the 2nd December 2017, directed by Nancy Medina.
The play follows Alma and Eugene who grew up together as friends unaware of their differences. But while growing up, their affection for one another is met with opposition from close quarters, and prejudice and violence complicates their changing relationship.
Casting and creative teams for both productions have yet to be confirmed.
Lucy J Skilbeck is a writer and director and the Artistic Director of Milk Presents, an Associate Company of Derby Theatre. Her directing credits include productions of JOAN (Milk Presents and Derby Theatre); Penelope Retold (Derby Theatre and UK Tour); and 3 Wise Monkeys (Hiccup Theatre and UK Tour).
Nancy Medina’s credits include:Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It (UK tour); Curried Goat and Fish Fingers (Bristol Old Vic); and Dogtag (Theatre West). As assistant director, she has worked for Shakespeare’s Globe, New Vic Theatre, and Salisbury Playhouse.
For more information and to book tickets for the productions visit: http://www.youngvic.org/home.