News & Events

STATEMENT OF REGRET - Cottesloe Theatre
Previews from 7 November, press night 14 November, continuing in repertoire

STATEMENT OF REGRET, a new play by Kwame Kwei-Armah, opens in the Cottesloe on 14 November, directed by Jeremy Herrin. The full cast is Angel Coulby, Oscar James, Trevor Laird, Colin McFarlane, Chu Omambala, Javone Prince, Clifford Samuel, Ellen Thomas and Don Warrington. The production is designed by Mike Britton, with lighting by Natasha Chivers and sound by Yvonne Gilbert.

Kwaku Mackenzie, founder of a Black policy think tank, hits the bottle after his father's death. As media interest in the once dynamic Institute fades, his team grows fractious and then, disastrously, he favours a young Oxford scholar over his own devastated son. When, in a vain attempt to regain influence, he publicly champions divisions within the Black community, the consequences are shattering.

Kwame Kwei-Armah's third play for the National Theatre takes a punchy, provocative look at the Black British experience and the need, or not, for solidarity. His previous works include Elmina's Kitchen, which won the 2003 Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright and transferred to the West End, and Fix Up.

Don Warrington plays Kwaku Mackenzie. His theatre work includes Elmina's Kitchen (West End), The Mysteries (NT) and The Merchant of Venice (Birmingham Rep). His extensive work for television includes Philip in Rising Damp, The Crouches and Manchild.

Jeremy Herrin's recent theatre productions include That Face (Royal Court) and Blackbird (South African tour). He is an Associate Director at Live Theatre Newcastle.

STATEMENT OF REGRET is supported by JPMorgan through the JPMorgan Art of Learning Programme (see below under 'New Views'.)

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Press night: Wednesday 14 November
Contact: Lyndsay Roberts on 020 7452 3233 lroberts@nationaltheatre.org.uk

NEW VIEWS
In a two-year partnership with the National Theatre, JPMorgan has established a fund for new work in the Cottesloe Theatre, supported by an innovative education programme. NT Education (in partnership with Aimhigher) will work with a group of young people aged 16-18 from London, all of whom will have been identified as being exceptionally able and from groups currently under-represented in higher education, such as those from disadvantaged social and economic backgrounds.

The New Views education programme will begin by focusing on three contemporary plays - Chatroom by Enda Walsh, Citizenship by Mark Ravenhill and Statement of Regret by Kwame Kwei-Armah. Working with the writers, NT practitioners and other professionals, students will examine and debate the issues thrown up by the plays. They will undertake research projects, produce short plays, provocative polemics and magazine articles, as well as being responsible for curating and producing a series of post show discussions with a panel of well known and expert guests.

Walter Gubert, Chairman of JPMorgan Chase Europe, Middle East and Africa comments: 'All the young people involved in New Views have the potential to be future leaders and shapers of our society. The New Views education programme will offer them the opportunity to investigate ideas that are vital to our society and will encourage student aspiration and ambition.'

Press contact: Lucinda Morrison on 020 7452 3232 lmorrison@nationaltheatre.org.uk

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