Free Theatre Tickets! For under 26's: A Night Less Ordinary

‘One of the most experienced prospectors of raw talent in Europe’ The Independent

The Bush is a world-famous home for new plays and an internationally renowned champion of playwrights. We discover, nurture and produce the best new playwrights from the widest range of backgrounds, and present their work to the highest possible standards. We look for exciting new voices that tell contemporary stories with wit, style and passion and we champion work that is both provocative and entertaining.

The Bush has produced hundreds of groundbreaking premieres since its inception in 1972, many of them Bush commissions, and hosted guest productions by leading companies and artists from across the world.

The Bush is widely acclaimed as the seedbed for the best new playwrights, many of whom have gone on to become established names. We also champion the introduction of new talent to the industry, whilst continuing to attract major acting and directing talents. The Bush has won over 100 awards, and developed an enviable reputation for touring its acclaimed productions nationally and internationally.

The Bush receives more than 1,000 scripts through the post every year, and reads and responds to them all. This is one small part of a comprehensive playwrights development programme which nurtures the relationship between writer and director, as well as playwright residencies and commissions. Everything that we do to develop playwrights focuses them towards a production on our stage or beyond.

We have also launched an ambitious new education, training and professional development programme, bushfutures, providing opportunities for different sectors of the community and professionals to access the expertise of Bush playwrights, directors, designers, technicians and actors, and to play an active role in influencing the future development of the theatre and its programme.

The Bush Theatre is extremely proud of its reputation for artistic excellence, its friendly atmosphere, and its undisputed role as a major force in shaping the future of British Theatre.

Forthcoming:

• 22/04/2009 - 06/06/2009 The Contingency Plan

  coming soon: The Contingency Plan By Steve Waters 22 April - 6 June 2009

  On The Beach

  Direction -Michael Longhurst

  Design -Tom Scutt

  Resilience

  Direction -Tamara Harvey

  Design -Tom Scutt

  THE CONTINGENCY PLAN is a double bill of plays (RESILIENCE and ON THE BEACH) from the frontline of climate change. They both stand alone and are complementary. Together, they present an epic portrait of an England of the near future, in which huge flooding has destroyed Bristol and threatens to sink the east coast.

  Steve Waters' previous plays include Fast Labour, Plague of People (Hampstead Theatre), and World Music (Donmar Warehouse).

  Please note that you will only be able to see one play a night, except on Saturdays when both plays run together from 2.30pm.

  Signed performances 9 May 2.30pm & 7.30pm Audio Described performances Saturday 16 May 2.30pm & 7.30pm Captioned performances Saturday 23 May 2.30pm & 7.30pm

  
  
  
• 17/06/2009 - 18/07/2009 Apologia

  Apologia

  By Alexi Kaye Campbell

  17 June - 18 July 2009

  Direction Josie Rourke

  Kristin Miller is an eminent and successful art historian. As a young mother, she followed her politics and vocation, storming Parisian barricades and moving to Florence. Her successful memoir secures her place in history but fails to mention her sons. Her birthday should be a time for celebration but when her son Simon decides to deliver his version of the past, everyone must confront the cost of Kristin's commitment to her passions.

  Apologia is Alexi Kaye Campbell's eagerly awaited second play whose debut The Pride opened to critical acclaim at the Royal Court Theatre in November 2008.

  Mon - Sat 7.30pm. Saturday matinees 2.30pm Signed performance 27 June 2.30pm Audio Described performance 30 June 7.30pm Captioned performance 1 July 7.30pm

  
  
  
• 29/07/2009 - 15/08/2009 suddenlossofdignity.com

  Following on from the success of 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover and 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover at Christmas, the Bush has commissioned five of Lonodn's hottest playwrights Zawe Ashton, James Graham, Joel Horwood, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and Michelle Terry for our next audience-inspired romp, suddenlossofdignity.com

  You can insure your car, your luggage, your pets against loss: why not your dignity? suddenlossofdignity.com lets you do just that. Make your claim and we'll send you back others' tales of humiliation and ignominy to cheer you up.

  For all those of you who have unwittingly tucked your skirt into your knickers, pestered your ex with drink-and-dial or decided that your sister's wedding was the ideal time to try your hand at break dancing, suddenlossofdignity.com is the ideal collective therapy- hilarious, revealing and oddly touching.

  Come all ye undignified, you have nothing less to lose

  Plymouth Drum 1-4 July

  Latitude Festival 16-19 July

  Ustinov (Theatre Royal Bath) 23-25 July

  Direction Anthea Williams Mon-Sat 7:30pm, £15 (£13 concessions) Sat Matinees on 1, 8, 15 Aug 2.30pm £13 Previews 29 Jul-1 Aug 7.30pm £13 (£9 concessions) Press Night 3 Aug 7pm