THE FURIES / LAND OF THE DEAD / HELTER SKELTER (A Trilogy)
Writer: Neil LaBute
Director: Patricia Benecke
Designer: Sara Perks
Cast: Patrick Driver, Frances Grey and Stuart Laing
Dates: 22 and 23 January (before touring to 12 UK venues)
This stunning trilogy by award-winning playwright, screenwriter and film director Neil LaBute combines the British premiere of his latest piece The Furies, with Dialogue Productions’ critically acclaimed sell-out hit at The Bush Theatre – Helter Skelter and Land of the Dead, at the Mercury Theatre Colchester on 22 and 23 January before touring to 12 venues across the UK.
In these gripping short plays, LaBute charts the trajectories of three different couples responding to sudden, drastic changes in their lives. In Helter Skelter, a husband and 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 seen him that day.
In Land of the Dead, also set in New York, a different couple part. He goes to the office, she visits a clinic. In The Furies, two lovers meet to talk about ending their relationship – not easy with a surprise guest. As events unfold, it becomes clear that this is not a day these three couples will forget.
The production features a very strong cast: Patrick Driver (Peepshow, The Office, Holby City, Doctors); Frances Grey (Marianne McKee in River City and DS Kate Beauchamp in Messiah); and Stuart Laing (EastEnders’ Rob Minter, Spooks) and a fantastic evening of cutting edge drama - guaranteed to get you talking.
Neil LaBute is an American playwright and filmmaker, whose films include In the Company of Men (1997) and Nurse Betty (2000). He has written numerous plays, five of which have been produced by the Almeida Theatre, London, including The Mercy Seat, which starred John Hannah and Sinead Cusack and In a Dark, Dark House, with David Morrissey and Steven Mackintosh. London now awaits a West End production of his most recent play Reasons to be Pretty, which is due to star Lily Allen.
Dialogue is a distinctive company building a reputation for premiering the best international work, including Top Dogs (Southwark Playhouse & tour), Monsieur Ibrahim & The Flowers of The Qur’an (Bush & tour), Wedding Day at The Cro-Magnons (Soho). Future projects include international hit Scorched by award-winning Lebanese writer Wajdi Mouawad.
Performances on Fri 22 and Sat 23 January take place in the Mercury Studio Theatre and there are still a few tickets available. To book please call the Mercury Theatre Box Office or book online (details below).
