Theatre503 announces 6 world premieres for the year ahead

Theatre503 has announced six world premieres as part of its programme until June 2023.

The line up features two brand new Theatre503 productions alongside co-productions with emerging and established theatre companies and producers.

The works include plays by writers discovered through the Theatre503 International Playwriting Award and 503Five alumni, plus 503Studio Masterclasses.

2022 at Theatre503 concludes with the premiere of Matthew Gabrielli’s Zombiegate (1 – 19 November 2022), co-produced by Ameena Hamid, and a selection of short runs including Yellow Coat Theatre Company’s Pass It On (29 November – 3 December 2022).

Next up will be debut plays from 503Five writers Zak Zarafshan with Theatre503’s production The Boys Are Kissing (17 January – 4 February 2023), and Mahad Ali with Relentless Theatre co-production My Brother’s Keeper (14 February – 4 March 2023) – two writers following in the footsteps of celebrated 503Five alumni including Yasmin Joseph and Ross Willis.

Theo Chester’s debut play Stray Dogs (14 March – 1 April 2023) is presented in a co-production with Cindy McLean-Bibby, whilst Cardboard Citizens, Alphabetti Theatre and Theatre503 bring Vinnie Heaven’s first play Faun (18 – 29 April 2023) to the London stage.

In the Spring, Maureen Lennon’s Helen (9 – 27 May 2023) – shortlisted for the 2020 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award – is staged in a Terrain and Theatre503 co-production.

And finally in June, Zoe Ashford Cooper’s for unknown reasons (6 – 24 June 2023) joins the list of 2020 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award finalists to have their play produced by Theatre503, directed by Artistic Director Lisa Spirling.

The season also includes 503Studio’s Autumn Writers Programme (11 October – 12 December 2022) which offers Masterclasses from leading playwrights who started their careers at Theatre503 including Alice Birch, Jon Brittain, Bene Lombe, Lou Ramsden, and Joel Tan + acclaimed writers including Tyrell Williams (winner of The Stage Debut Awards Winner 2022) and Stephen Beresford (Bafta Award winning writer of the movie Pride).

Lisa Spirling, Artistic Director, said: “Since re-opening our doors in September 2021, we have been busy doing all we can to support writers and artists at this vital early stage of their careers – this includes ongoing dramaturgical support of over 50 writers, eliminating hire fees, the first steps towards building the 503Studio at Nine Elms, establishing a repeatedly sold-out programme of online courses and masterclasses with 25% offered as free bursary places, and currently reading over 1400 plays from 49 countries for the 2023 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award.

“We are honoured to be working with such brilliant theatre companies, and to be able to share the fruits of our communal labours – staging the plays of extraordinarily talented writers that 503 has discovered and nurtured over recent years through initiatives like the 503Five, and the Playwriting Award. It’s exciting to look forward to such an exhilarating line up of productions – and beyond to a year in which our plans, including those for the 503Studio at Nine Elms and accessibility for our home above the Latchmere pub, will take shape.”

For more information and tickets, visit theatre503.com