Hampstead Theatre Downstairs announces new season

The Hampstead Theatre in Hampstead, north London, has announced details of its new season of plays in their Downstairs venue, which celebrates its 5th Anniversary this autumn.

The first production in the season will be Firebird by Phil Davies, directed by Edward Hall and designed by Polly Sullivan. It runs from 24 September ­to 24 October 2015.

"The revelations of child grooming in Rochdale, Rotherham, Oxford and other towns have dismayed and astounded us all. How could it happen? Tia's mouthy attitude and confident swagger hide a vulnerable young girl whose tough start in life dangerously draws her to AJ. Older, good-looking and charismatic, AJ shows her a kindness that she¹s never known. Kindness that comes with a price."

This will be followed by A Further Education by Will Mortimer, which runs from 30 October to 28 November 2015.

"Josh and Lydia are captivated by the arrival of fellow student Charlotte. Not only is she exceptionally smart, gaining top marks in all her essays and offering fresh insight during seminars, she's also significantly older and curiously private. Where's she from and what's her history? Why has she enrolled at university now? As the relationship between the undergraduates deepens so does the mystery surrounding Charlotte..."

The final production will be Pine by Jacqui Honess-Martin which runs from 10 December 2015 to 16 January 2016.

"Gabby has a first class honours degree and an MA but somehow is stuck - for the third year running - counting Norwegian Spruce. Betty wishes she was ice skating with her mates at Somerset House rather than 'gaining work experience'. Joe is nursing a broken hand, and heart, by lugging trees. Taj can't decide whether he's in love with Gabby or Betty. And they're all being driven out of their minds by Michael Bublé's Feliz Navidad on repeat..."

Plays at the Downstairs Space are staged free from the pressures of commercial interests or formal press reviews but in front of a paying audience who have the opportunity to offer feedback and influence the future of a production.

Tickets for the new season are now on sale.