Blackbird to transfer to West End

Wed 07 Dec 2005

The Edinburgh International Festival’s critically acclaimed production of David Harrower’s Blackbird, directed by Peter Stein, will transfer to the Albery Theatre in London’s West End in February 2006. Blackbird will open on 7 February, with the press night on 13 February. It will run until 13 May.

Blackbird was commissioned by the Edinburgh International Festival, where it received its world premiere at the King’s Theatre Edinburgh on 15 August 2005. Award-winning actors Roger Allam and Jodhi May will recreate their roles as Ray and Una for the West End run.

This transfer marks a West End debut for Peter Stein, one of world’s foremost theatre directors. He was last in London at the National Theatre in 1987 with his acclaimed production of The Hairy Ape, which won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director.

Brian McMaster, Festival Director said today: ‘It is fantastic that this Edinburgh International Festival production will be presented in the West End. Blackbird brings together one of Scotland’s finest writers with a great international director and brilliant British actors. It was a highlight of EIF 2005, and I am delighted that an even wider audience now has the opportunity to see it.’

Blackbird is presented in London by MJE Productions. MJE reunites Michael Edwards and Carole Winter who previously produced Reginald Rose’s Twelve Angry Men directed by Harold Pinter in the West End, as well as producing theatre in both the subsidised sector and on tour nationally and internationally.

ends

Edinburgh International Festival Press Contacts: Jackie Westbrook or Susie Burnet 0131 473 2020 press@eif.co.uk

For further press information on the London run please contact Janine Shalom or Sophie Glover on 020 7637 2600 janine@mcdonaldrutter.com or sophie@mcdonaldrutter.com

NOTES

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Blackbird by David Harrower,

Cast: Roger Allam and Jodhi May.

Directed by Peter Stein

Set designs by Ferdinand Wögerbauer,

Lighting designs by Japhy Weideman

Costume designs by Moidele Bickel,

Music composed by Arturo Annecchino

Sound by Ferdinando Nicci.

Albery Theatre

St Martin’s Lane

London

WC2

Dates: 7 February - 13 May 2006

Press Night: 13 February at 7pm

Box Office:0870 950 0920

Tickets:opening performances 7-18 February £12.50 - £25

From 20 February £12.50 - £37.50

Performances:Monday – Saturday at 7.45pm

Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

(first Saturday matinee 11 February & Wednesday matinee 22 February)