Following the critical and public success for Angel in 2017, multi-award-winning UK playwright Henry Naylor brings his award-winning plays Games and Borders to the Arcola theatre for their London premieres this December.
The show will run from Tuesday 4th December to Friday 21st December 2018 at the Arcola T
“NAYLOR’S NAME REMAINS A MARK OF QUALITY FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO SEE GOOD POLITICAL DRAMA.”
i Newspaper
BORDERS – 9/11, Bombs, Bono and Bin Laden: The story of the 21st Century in 70 minutes…
Directed by Louise Skaaning Borders gives us two separate narratives. A Western news photographer Sebastian Nightingale is propelled to stardom after taking a rare picture of Bin Laden.
The other story tells us of an anonymous artist (played by London-based actress Deniz Arixenas who is of Kurdish, and Syrian heritage). The Syrian graffiti artist attempts to bring down the Syrian Regime through her art. While their lives appear at first unrelated, they come together in a devastating conclusion.
Graham O’Mara will reprise the role of Sebastian Nightingale, which has won him so much acclaim internationally, and Deniz Arixenas will debut in the role of Nameless.
While sometimes amusing, Borders give us an urgent, satirical attack on the culture of celebrity along with the West’s apathy towards the Syrian crisis.
“I WANTED MORE: THIS IS RIVETING REPORTAGE THAT JUST HAPPENS TO BE ON STAGE.”
Times (for Borders 2017)
One of the biggest hits of Edinburgh Fringe 2017, Borders won The Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award and Naylor’s third Fringe First Award. It was also shortlisted for the Amnesty Freedom of Expression Award, and Australia’s Peace Foundation Award.
“A CHILLING EXPLORATION OF HOW INSIDIOUSLY A CULTURE OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC EXCLUSION CAN BECOME ESTABLISHED.”
Scotsman (for Games 2018)
The show will make its London debut following a month-long transfer off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop’s Theatre Next Door.
GAMES – Europe fracturing, Anti-Semitism rising, Right-wing populism surging – welcome to Berlin, 1936.
Games is inspired by the true stories of two world-class Jewish athletes – Helen Mayer and Gretel Bergmann – who faced horrific prejudice in their bid to compete for their country in the 1936 Olympics.
Set in the lead up to the 1936 ‘Nazi; Olympics’, Games gives us a cautionary tale, that is highly relevant today. It tackles the rise of far-right populism and the dangers of anti-semitism.
Games feature a highly acclaimed performance by Tessie Orange-Turner as Gretel Bergmann. It will also star Sophie Shad as Helene Mayer – who, as a child actor, played Little Cosette in the West End’s Les Miserables. Mayer whose grandfather was a Holocaust survivor. has a particularly strong connection to the story.
Games premiered at the Prague Fringe – where it won the award for the best new show, The Inspiration Award. It was a massive hit in Edinburgh this summer, receiving 16 five- and four-star reviews, with a sold-out run. The play won the Voice Pick of the Fringe Award and was shortlisted for the Amnesty Freedom of Expression Award.
Dates: Tues 4th December to Friday 21st December 2018 (Not Sundays)
Time: Mon to Sat – 7.00pm (Sat Matinee – 2.30pm)
Box office: 020 7503 1646
Venue: Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, E8 3DL
Online: www.arcolatheatre.com
