Royal Court Theatre announces new plays for upcoming season

Three plays, featuring multiple playwrights' debuts, join three previously announced shows in the Off-West End venue's upcoming season that runs until 2024.

The Royal Court Theatre have announced three new plays that will run in their new season.

Molly Davie's Imposter 22, Mohamed-Zain Dada's Blue Mist, and Rory Mullarkey's Mates in Chelsea will play between September to December 2023.

They join the previously announced upcoming plays Word-Play, Dana H., and Cuckoo.

The theatre has also announced Plays From Ur Notes App, a nationwide call out for new plays that writers may have saved ideas for on their phones, and two nights of Deen & Dunya, Azan Ahmed’s poetry nights celebrating Muslim voices.

Vicky Featherstone, artistic director of the Royal Court, said in a statement, "The writers in our new programme are unified in their desire to take aim at preconceptions, stereotypes, and centres of power. Their words dismantle our understanding of the world, inviting new meanings and a stronger empathy for the communities we live in and among."

Learn more about the six main productions announced as part of the Royal Court Theatre's upcoming season below.

Check back for more information on tickets to Royal Court shows on London Theatre.

Cuckoo

Cuckoo explores the dynamics of a multi-generational matriarchal family sharing a single household as they navigate their unique challenges and find ways to cope in their ever-changing world. Written by award-winning Liverpudlian playwright Michael Wynne, this dark comedy features an all-Scouse cast.

Cuckoo, directed by Vicky Featherstone, runs from 6 July to 19 August at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs.

Book Cuckoo tickets on London Theatre.

Word-Play

Taking place in contemporary Britain, Rabiah Hussain's Word-Play delves into the aftermath of a scandal where the Prime Minister is caught ad-libbing and using Islamophobic language during a live television appearance. As the Prime Minister's words spread across the nation, from bus stops to newspaper columns, fellow party members scramble to determine their course of action, playing catch-up in the face of public outrage.

Directed by Nimmo Ismail, this exploration into public consciousness runs from 20 July to 26 August 2023.

Book Word-Play tickets on London Theatre.

Imposter 22

Created by Molly Davies (God Bless the Child, A Miracle), Imposter 22 is a collaboration of seven autistic and learning disabled artists, who also perform in the piece. This production has been created with the sensory needs of neurodivergent audiences members in mind, and every performance will be relaxed.

This whodunnit escapade stars Kirsty Adams, Cian Binchy, Housni Hassan (DJ), Dayo Koleosho, Stephanie Newman, Lee Phillips and Charlene Salter, who have all developed this performance during a workshop over the last five years. Imposter 22 runs from 23 September to 14 October 2023 in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs.

Book Imposter 22 tickets on London Theatre.

Blue Mist

Mohamed-Zain Dada makes his writing debut with his new play Blue Mist that runs from 5 October to 18 November. This gripping story delves into the life of a journalist who betrays his own community in a candid retort to the portrayal of South Asian Muslim men in the media.

Mates in Chelsea

From the mind of Rory Mullarkey (Pity, The Wolf From The Door) comes Mates in Chelsea, a contemporary comedy of manners. Directed by Sam Pritchard (all of it, Pity), this play draws inspiration from the wit of Oscar Wilde and P.G. Wodehouse. Set amidst the privileged residents of southwest London, the play explores the world of the ruling class in our country.

The show will run in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 3 November to 16 December.

Book Mates in Chelsea tickets on London Theatre.

Dana H.

This Tony Award-winning Broadway production has its U.K. premiere in January 2024 at the Royal Court Theatre. Dana H. follows the true story of a psych ward chaplain who was held captive by her patients for five months in Florida. Deirdre O'Connell reprises her Tony-winning role as Dana Higginbotham in her London stage debut.

This remarkable story features Dana's own voice and words, using pre-recorded interviews that the chaplain's son, playwright Lucas Hnath, reconstructed for the stage.

This groundbreaking concept plays at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 16 January to 9 March 2024.

Photos and artwork courtesy of production