Anders Lustgarten’s brand new play, The City and The Town, is a funny, eclectic, political drama which brings a fresh perspective to some of the political divides and problems facing the UK and Europe today.
Anders Lustgarten – whose previous work includes Lampedusa (Hightide/Soho Theatre/Unity Theatre), The Secret Theatre (The Globe) and The Seven Acts of Mercy (RSC) – is one of Britain’s bravest and toughest writers of political fiction. In The City and the Town he offers a unflinching, insightful and utterly hilarious look at sibling rivalry, small town blues and exactly where the new British right comes from.
Ben – a successful lawyer – returns home for his father’s funeral after thirteen years away. Whilst there he is confronted not only by family and old friends but also with the uncomfortable truths about the community and society he has left behind.
In a unique partnership it is being co-produced by Riksteatern (the National Touring Theatre of Sweden) and Matthew Linley Creative Projects. Riksteatern’s Head of Theatre and Artistic Director Dritëro Kasapi directs, his first UK show since the acclaimed Nina – a story about me and Nina Simone (Young Vic, Traverse Theatre, Unity Theatre, National Tour).
Dritëro says: ‘Even from the very first draft Anders sent us, I knew that this was a play I wanted to direct. By exploring the rise of the right, Anders is looking at something that is happening all over Europe. But this is not just a political play, it’s also a humane one – it explores the question of if and how we belong to society, what can happen when we lose that connection and how we perceive our common history as a society ‘
The production features Gareth Watkins (Shalott, Iesu! ), Amelia Donkor (Private Lives, Little Women, 39 Steps and Prince Charming’s Christmas Cracker) and Sam Collings (Jekyll and Hyde, Murder on the Orient Express ). The show is designed by Hannah Sibai with lighting design by Matt Haskins.
The show is produced in association with Hull Truck Theatre, where the production opens. Its initial UK tour will visit Northern Stage (Newcastle), Wiltons Music Hall (London), Mercury Theatre (Colchester), Norwich Playhouse and Stephen Joseph Theatre (Scarborough). Following its UK tour the show will transfer to Sweden where it will tour across Autumn 23.
Wiltons Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, London, E1 8JB from 21-25th February
