Michael Longhurst, the newly appointed Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse, has announced his 2019/2020 season, titled “Important Stories Thrillingly Told.”
The announced line-up comprises three premieres and two revivals, and also saw the venue further its commitment to engaging new audiences by launching the Donmar Daily Release ticket scheme.
“I vividly remember entering the Donmar auditorium for the first time… being struck by the idea… of sharing a pew, of being so close you could see the actors’ sweat, it felt like a church.” @mrmrlonghurst pic.twitter.com/msjWkJxxsQ
— Official London Theatre (@london_theatre) April 2, 2019
To start the season, Michael will direct the 25th anniversary revival of EUROPE, David Greig’s prophetic exploration of our complex relationship to Europe – as a continent, a refuge, an idea. pic.twitter.com/NXg2MezftR
— Donmar Warehouse (@DonmarWarehouse) April 2, 2019
The season opens with Longhurst directing a revival of David Greig’s visionary play Europe (20 June – 10 August 2019), exploring our complex relationship with borders, money lines, arrivals and the continent. The 25th anniversary revival of the production, the play was cited by Longhurst as a “prophetic early masterpiece.” Billy Howle, Kevork Malikyan, Faye Marsay, Stephen Wright and Shane Zaza will star.
Next up is APPROPRIATE, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s searing take on the rich tradition of American family drama. pic.twitter.com/TeLXbanJER
— Donmar Warehouse (@DonmarWarehouse) April 2, 2019
This is followed by the UK premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play Appropriate (16 August – 5 October), with a cast led by Olivier Award nominee Monica Dolan (All About Eve, W1A). Directed by Ola Ince, the show tackles the traditional American family drama with a story set at a former plantation, where a family reunites to bury the hatchet following their father’s death – before they make a chilling discovery.
Following on, Alice Birch’s [BLANK] will receive its full-length premiere in a Donmar Warehouse and Clean Break co-production, directed by Maria Aberg with design by Rosie Elnile. pic.twitter.com/ck51ex9BZ9
— Donmar Warehouse (@DonmarWarehouse) April 2, 2019
Maria Aberg (Little Shop Of Horrors, Regent’s Park) then directs Alice Birch’s [BLANK] (11 October – 30 November) in her Donmar debut, marking the play’s full-length premiere. The show features an all-female cast of 15 and an all-female creative team, and takes a kaleidoscopic view of women affected by the criminal justice system.
Taking us into 2020, Michael will direct TEENAGE DICK, Mike Lew’s darkly comic take on Richard III set in an all-American high school, with Daniel Monks as Richard. pic.twitter.com/d7ZuGhPndW
— Donmar Warehouse (@DonmarWarehouse) April 2, 2019
Michael then returns to the directorial chair for the UK premiere of Teenage Dick, Mike Lew’s darkly comic and cheeky take on Richard III. The show fills the Donmar’s Christmas slot (6 December – 1 February 2020), and stars Daniel Monks as Richard, the high school class loser who plots the ultimate rise to power.
To end this first set of productions, Lyndsey Turner will direct a revival of Caryl Churchill’s dazzling play FAR AWAY, twenty years on from its explosive premiere. pic.twitter.com/qG201ItsXS
— Donmar Warehouse (@DonmarWarehouse) April 2, 2019
The season is rounded off by a revival of Caryl Churchill’s Far Away (6 February – 21 March 2020), directed by Olivier Award winner Lyndsey Turner (previous Donmar appearances include Aristocrats and Faith Healer). The show explores a world sliding into chaos and gripped by fear, 20 years after it made an explosive premiere at the Royal Court.
Also included in Michael’s first season is WRITING WRONGS, part of the Fly the Flag programme of events celebrating universal human rights. pic.twitter.com/zzzxN6sfxl
— Donmar Warehouse (@DonmarWarehouse) April 2, 2019
Also included in the season announcement is Writing Wrongs, which brings together writers including Zainab Hasan, Sabrina Mahfouz, Natasha Simone, Monsay Whitney and Alexandra Wood with school and community groups for a 6-month project of creating personal monologues. These will then be released as films and performed in public spaces between 24-30 June.
Elsewhere, Michael announced the appointment of Roy Alexander Weise as an Artistic Associate of the Donmar, while launching the Donmar Daily Release ticket scheme: a minimum of 40 additional tickets will be released for sale every morning for performances 7 days later.
Michael said of the season, “For me, the Donmar is a magical space designed to ignite theatrical fireworks; an intimate space in which to congregate and expand our horizons. I’m honoured to be here and can’t wait to get started.” He promised, “These five productions are just the beginning.”
More information about the season, and tickets, can be found on the Donmar Warehouse website.