CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK PREMIÈRE OF DAWN KING’S THE TRIALS
Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Michael Longhurst and Executive Director Henny Finch today announce casting for the UK première of Dawn King’s The Trialsdirected by Natalie Abrahami, which also goes on sale today. Elise Alexandre, Francis Dourado, Jowana El-Daouk, Will Gao, Pelumi Ibiloye, Honor Kneafsey, Joe Locke, Rue Millwood, Charlie Reid, Meréana Tomlinson, Taya Tower and Jairaj Varsani will perform as the jury, and are joined by Nigel Lindsay and Sharon Small as defendants. This Donmar LOCAL production runs at the Donmar Warehouse from 12 August until 27 August 2022. Over 50 £10 tickets per performance will be available to audiences under 30, with a special YOUNG+FREE performance for audiences aged 16-25 on 17 August.
Michael Longhurst, Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director said “Dawn King’s explosive new play about the climate crisis demands we consider the generation most affected. I am proud that as part of our casting process for The Trials the Donmar has created an extensive engagement programme with young Londoners from our community, opening routes into the industry and platforming the next generation of actors and activists.”
As part of the casting process, 1372 young people were engaged through schools and community groups and a further 206 young people were engaged in intensive development workshops for the play at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (RCSSD), with support from National Youth Theatre. During this phase of the project, the participants worked with Dawn King, had sessions in voice, movement and performance skills, took part in sessions on climate activism, and devised new work on the subject of climate justice. Over half of the company will make their professional debuts at the Donmar this Summer.
Principal Lecturer and Course Leader of MA Applied Theatre at RCSSD, Professor Selina Busby, commented “This project is really exciting, the Donmar’s approach to involving local communities and young people in their work is unique and highly ambitious. We have loved partnering with them on the project and it was a vital opportunity for so many young people to be involved in theatre making at a time when cuts to school theatre provision and to the arts and youth services are reducing these opportunities.”
Working with Julie’s Bicycleand Donmar Associate Zoë Svendsen, and with guidance from the Theatre Green Book, the creative team for The Trials is focused on minimising the impact of the production on the environment. The aim is to create a piece of theatre in which every possible element is either reused or recycled and can be returned to the theatre ecosystem for use in future productions. The team will monitor and track the decision-making process in every department, collating their learning and ultimately generating a framework for sustainable productions at the Donmar and beyond.
Junior creatives are also being recruited to shadow the creative team in roles including Junior Assistant Set & Costume and Junior Assistant Director, supported by the Backstage Trust as part of the Donmar’s ongoing commitment to talent development.
Also announced today is the release of Climate Conversations, a new podcast series bringing together Donmar directors and leading climate and social justice thinkers.
This podcast series was recorded during an 18-month research project the Donmar is currently undertaking. Bringing together artists and staff, facilitated by Donmar Artistic Associate and Climate Dramaturg Zoë Svendsen, this research is exploring new ways of working and thinking in order to create the conditions for more climate-careful theatre-making. The first podcast will be available in July.
Tickets for The Trials are on sale to Donmar members from Wednesday 29 June, and on public sale Friday 1 July.
Wed 29 June 10am Director’s Forum & Steel Members
Wed 29 June 2pm Copper Members
Thu 30 June 10am Friends
Fri 1 July 10am Public booking
A DONMAR LOCAL PRODUCTION
THE UK PREMIÈRE OF
THE TRIALS
by Dawn King
Jurors: Elise Alexandre, Francis Dourado, Jowana El-Daouk, Will Gao, Pelumi Ibiloye, Honor Kneafsey, Joe Locke, Rue Millwood, Charlie Reid, Meréana Tomlinson, Taya Tower, Jairaj Varsani
Defendants: Nigel Lindsay, Sharon Small
Director: Natalie Abrahami; Designer: Georgia Lowe; Lighting Designer: Jai Morjaria; Sound Designer and Composer: Xana; Movement Directors: Anna Morrissey and Aaron Parsons; Video Designer: Nina Dunn; Voice Coach: Emma Woodvine; Associate Director: Joseph Hancock; Sustainability Consultants: Julie’s Bicycle; Production Dramatherapist: Wabriya King
12 August – 27 August 2022
It’s easy for you to accuse me now but you don’t understand. Everyone lived like we did! Well maybe not everyone, everyone. But…I wasn’t any worse than anyone else.
The near future.
The climate crisis is unfolding and our generation is being judged.
The jurors? Children. But are they delivering justice, or serving revenge?
In this searing new play by Dawn King, the next generation of talentstar alongside leading actors, directed by Natalie Abrahami.
A Donmar LOCAL Production: identifying talent of the future and proudly platforming them and the issues that matter.
The Trials received its world première at the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus in 2021 and was a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. This production is generously supported by Adam and Victoria Freudenheim. The Trials Young Assistants’ Programme is generously supported by the Backstage Trust.
With thanks to Charles Holloway, Season Supporter
THE JURY:
Elise Alexandre plays Amelia. For theatre, her credits include The Ferryman (The Royal Court Theatre, Gielgud Theatre) and Fireworks (Performing International Plays); and for film, Radioactive.
Francis Dourado (he/him) is making his professional stage debut as Mohammad. Francis has been a member of the Boury Academy and The Hebe Foundation where he has performed in productions of Into the Woods and Romeo and Juliet.
Jowana El-Daouk (she/they) is making her professional stage debut as Gabi. Jowana has previously worked with Dream Arts, an acting group which focused on writing and performing plays. She has also performed in a school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Will Gao plays Xander. For theatre, his work includes NYT / London Fashion Week (National Youth Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Glyndebourne Opera) and Shakespeare 400 (Royal Festival Hall). For television, his work includes Heartstopper; and he is also in the band The Wasia Project.
Pelumi Ibiloye is making his professional stage debut as Marek. He is a member of the Pauline Quirke Academy.
Honor Kneafsey plays Ren. For theatre her work includes Evita (Bill Kenwright), The Sound of Music (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Scrooge (Bill Kenwright). For television, her work includes Sick Note, Babs, Benidorm, Sherlock, Siblings, Our Zoo, X Company and Friday Night Dinner; and film includes Napoleon, Legacy of Lies, A Christmas Prince – The Royal Baby, A Christmas Prince – The Royal Wedding, Crooked House, A Christmas Prince, The Bookshop, Butterfly Kisses, Slumbers, Miss You Already, and Wolfwalkers
Joe Locke (he/him) is making his professional stage debut as Noah. His television work includes Heartstopper.
Rue Millwood (they/them) is making their professional stage debut as Chris. Rue has been a member of the National Youth Theatre for the past year, recently performing in an NYT members play Speak Out about the experiences of young trans people, as well as the NYT Big Weekender at the Royal Court Theatre. Rue has a keen interest in physical theatre and is part of the London Youth Circus.
Charlie Reid plays Tomaz. For theatre, his credits include Romeo & Juliet (Shakespeare for Schools Festival at The Watersmeet Theatre); and for film, The Bird Game; Boys Will Be Boys; The Most Reluctant Convert
Meréana Tomlinson is making her professional stage debut as Kako. Meréana has been a member of The South London Youth Theatre for the past two years, where she has performed in a production of Macbeth. Meréana remains an active member of the youth group.
Taya Tower plays Zoe. For the Donmar: [BLANK]. Other theatre includes: The Hunt (Almeida Theatre). She is the winner of The Stage Debut Award 2019 for Young Performer of the Year. Radio includes: The Voyage of St Louis (BBC Radio 4). Training includes: Stages Performing Arts – Dance (iSTD Ballet, Tap and Modern, Freestyle, Street and Jazz).
Jairaj Varsani (he/him) is making his professional stage debut as Adnan. For television, his work includes Great Expectations, Foundation, Small Axe, Avenue 5 and Hetty Feather; and for film, The Personal History of David Copperfield.
THE DEFENDANTS
Nigel Lindsay returns to the Donmar for The Trials – he previously appeared in The Same Deep Water as Me. For theatre, his work includes Faith Healer (Abbey Theatre), God of Carnage (Theatre Royal Bath), Harrogate, Sucker Punch (Royal Court Theatre), Guys and Dolls (Phoenix Theatre), Bull (Young Vic), Speed-the-Plow (Playhouse Theatre), A Small Family Business (National Theatre), Richard II (RSC), Shrek the Musical (Olivier Award nomination), Broken Glass (Tricycle Theatre – WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actor), and Under the Blue Sky (Duke of York’s Theatre). His television work includes The Chelsea Detective, Salisbury, Tin Star, Plebs, The Last Kingdom, The Capture, No Offence, Safe, White Gold, Innocent, Unforgotten, Victoria, Death in Paradise and Gifted; and for film, Six Minutes to Midnight, Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back), Access All Areas, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, Breakfast with Jonny Wilkinson, Four Lions (Nomination for Best British Comedy Performance in Film), First Night, Scoop and Rogue Trader.
Sharon Small returns to the Donmar for The Trials – she previously appeared in The Threepenny Opera and Life is a Dream. For theatre, her work includes Still Alice (West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Threepenny Opera, Men Should Weep, London Cuckolds (National Theatre), Luna Gale (Hampstead Theatre), Carmen Disruption (Almeida Theatre), Arden of Faversham (RSC), Spur of the Moment (Royal Court Theatre), Lear (Sheffield Crucible Theatre), When Harry Met Sally… (Theatre Royal Haymarket) and The Nun (Greenwich Studio Theatre). Her television work includes Taggart, Roughnecks, An Independent Man, Doctor Finlay, The Bill, Hamish Macbeth, No Child of Mine, Sunburn, Glasgow Kiss, Cutting It, The Inspector, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Rebus, Nina and the Neurons, Murderland, Mistresses, Agatha Christie’s Marple, Downton Abbey, Kidnap and Ransom, New Tricks, Silent Witness, Call the Midwife, Death in Paradise, Midsomer Murders, Law & Order: UK, Stonemouth, Born to Kill, Trust Me, London Kills, Flesh and Blood and The Bay; and for film, Bumping the Odds, Bite, Driven, About a Boy, Dear Frankie, Belly Button and Last Chance Harvey.
Dawn King is an award-winning writer working in theatre, film, TV, VR and radio. Her work for the stage includes Foxfinder (originally produced by Papatango Theatre Company at The Finborough in 2011 and revived in a West End production at The Ambassadors in 2018 – winner of National Theatre Foundation Playwright Award 2013, Papatango New Writing Competition 2011 and Most Promising Playwright, Off West End awards 2012, and a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize 2012 and the James Tait Black drama prize 2012, Brave New World, Ciphers and Salt. She also co-created immersive dystopian rave DYSTOPIA987 for Manchester International Festival 2019 (a collaboration with Skepta). Her short film The Karman Line won 17 awards including the BIFA for Best Short and was BAFTA nominated in 2014.
Natalie Abrahami is a theatre, opera and film director. Her forthcoming production of Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka which she is creating with choreographer Ann Yee, premieres at the Royal Opera House in February 2023. Collaboration sits at the heart of Natalie’s practice and has done ever since she was Artistic Director of the Gate Theatre, Notting Hill with Carrie Cracknell for five years. During their tenure they were awarded the Paul Hamlyn Breakthrough Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs. Natalie moved on to join the Young Vic as Associate Director where she directed Juliet Stevenson in Happy Days and Wings,George Mackay in Ah, Wilderness! and Natalie Dormer in After Miss Julie. Natalie collaborated with Ella Hickson to create Swive [Elizabeth] for the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe, and to direct ANNA the immersive binaural sound piece created by sound designers Ben and Max Ringham at the National Theatre. Other work for theatre includes: The Meeting (Chichester Festival Theatre), Machinal (Almeida Theatre), Queen Anne (Royal Shakespeare Company and Theatre Royal Haymarket), How the Whale Became and Other Tales (Linbury, Royal Opera House), The Eleventh Capital (Royal Court Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Headlong), Pericles (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Yerma (Hull Truck), Play and Not I (Battersea Arts Centre), and for the Gate Theatre, Vanya and The Kreutzer Sonata (which later transferred to La MaMa, New York). For film, her work includes Mayday, The Roof and Life’s a Pitch.
DONMAR WAREHOUSE
LISTINGS
41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9LX
Box Office: www.donmarwarehouse.com / 020 3282 3808
PERFORMANCE TIMES
Evenings Mon – Sat: 7.30pm
Matinees Thu & Sat: 2.30pm
TICKET PRICES
The Trials
£45 / £32.50 / £20 / £10 standing
£10 tickets for audiences under 30 – you may be asked to show ID on arrival at the theatre
YOUNG + FREE
Wednesday 17 August will be a special YOUNG + FREE performance, with free tickets for under 26-year-olds available to book via ballot. Sign up at www.donmarwarehouse.com.
DONMAR DAILY
New tickets on sale every day at the Donmar. Allocations of tickets will be made available every day for performances 7 days later. Tickets will be available across the auditorium at every price band.
ACCESS
The Donmar Warehouse is fully wheelchair accessible. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome in the auditorium. There is a Loop system and a Radio Frequency system fitted in the main auditorium and there are also hearing loops at all the front of house counters.
ASSISTED PERFORMANCES
If you require a companion to attend the Donmar, their ticket will be free. To book call 020 3282 3808 or email [email protected].
For all other access enquiries or bookings call 020 3282 3808.
THE TRIALS
12 August – 27 August 2022
Captioned: Thursday 25 August 7.30pm
Audio-Described: Friday 26 August 7.30pm
British Sign Language Interpreted: Saturday 27 August 2.30pm