Hampstead Theatre - new play by Brenton; Race by Mamet

The Hampstead Theatre, 325-seat Off West End venue, in north London, has announced two new productions.

The Arrest of Ai Weiwei, by Howard Brenton, based on Barnaby Martin’s conversations with Ai Weiwei, from 11 April to 18 May 2013. Directed by James Macdonald, designed by Ashley Martin Davis , lighting by Matthew Richardson, choreography by Scott Ambler, sound by Emma Laxton. On April 3 2011, as he was boarding a flight to Taipei, the Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei was arrested at Beijing Airport. Advised merely that his travel 'could damage state security' he was escorted to a van by officials, after which he disappeared for 81 days. On his release, the government claimed that his imprisonment related to tax evasion. Based on recent conversations with Ai in which he told the story of that imprisonment .

Race, by David Mamet, from 23 May to 29 June 2013. Directed by Terry Johnson , designed by Tim Shortall, lighting by Mark Henderson. A hotel room in disarray - lamps broken, cigarette butts, liquor bottles - a red sequin dress, and a man accused of rape... The accused is white, the accuser black. Two lawyers, one black and one white, must uncover and sift the facts of the case. Is the man guilty? And, irrespective of that, can his case be won?

- by Darren Dalglish