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JANUARY 17, 2008HELTER SKELTER AND LAND OF THE DEADDialogue Productions in association with Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and the Bush Theatre present The UK premiere of Helter Skelter and Land of the Dead will both receive their UK premiere this winter at The Bush Theatre, opening on 17 January with previews from 15 January. The productions, written by Neil LaBute, will be directed by Patricia Benecke, designed by Sara Perks, with lighting by John Harris and music by Nikola Kodjabashia.
In two stunning new companion pieces writer Neil LaBute charts the trajectories of two regular couples in contemporary America, and their extreme responses to sudden changes in their lives. In Helter Skelter, a man and his wife meet in a chic restaurant in New York City to take a break from Christmas shopping. He doesn't know that she has already been following him today. In Land of the Dead, also set in New York, a different couple part. He goes to the office, she visits a clinic. As events unfold, it becomes clear that this is not a day either couple will forget. Award-winning playwright, screenwriter and film director Neil LaBute has had recent hits in the West End with Some Girl(s) (Gielgud), Bash (Trafalgar Studios) and This is How It Goes (Donmar Warehouse). His films include The Wicker Man, In the Company of Men and The Shape of Things. Patricia Benecke recently directed Monsieur Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Qur’an, which toured the UK in 2006 after a sell-out run at The Bush Theatre. A director in both the UK and Germany, some of Patricia’s productions include Realism (Bonn Rep), Shining City (Dortmund Rep), By the Bog of Cats (Heilbronn Rep), Top Dogs (Southwark Playhouse and UK tour) and Miss Julie (Mercury, Colchester). Ruth Gemmell’s stage appearances include Coram Boy (NT), Macbeth, King Lear (RSC), The Weir (Royal Court). Her many TV appearances include Waking the Dead, Silent Witness and Spooks (all BBC). John Kirk’s stage work includes Love and Money (Young Vic/ Royal Exchange), Abigail’s Party (Pilot Theatre Company) and My Dad’s a Birdman (Young Vic Theatre). John’s TV includes Extras and Eastenders (BBC) and he appeared in Career Girls directed by Mike Leigh. Patrick Driver’s stage appearances include Othello (Salisbury Playhouse), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Volpone (Royal Exchange, Manchester) and Reverence (Southwark Playhouse). His television appearances include The Office (BBC), Peep Show and The Last Chancers (Channel 4). Dialogue Productions is a distinctive new company building a reputation for premiering the best international work. Productions include Top Dogs and Monsieur Ibrahim & The Flowers of The Qur’an. Future projects include Wedding Day at The Cro-Magnons by Wajdi Mouwad at Soho theatre in April 2008. www.bushtheatre.co.uk www.dialogueproductions.co.uk
Previews Tuesday 15 – 16 Jan 2008 8pm - £13, £9 concs.
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