Almeida Theatre

Rupert Goold announces Almeida Theatre spring/summer 2018 season

Female writers dominate the new season at the North London venue

Will Longman
Will Longman

Artistic director Rupert Goold has announced the new season at the Almeida Theatre for spring/summer 2018.

The season begins with the world premiere of Ella Hickson's play The Writer, which is about a writer who wants to change the world and make herself heard. Hickson's play Oil ran at the Almeida in 2016, and The Writer will be directed by Blanche McIntyre when it runs from 14th April to 26th May. It will have designs by Anna Fleischle, sound by Emma Laxton and lighting by Richard Howell.

A revival of Sophie Treadwell's Machinal directed by Natalie Abrahami will follow. The 1928 play is inspired by the case of Ruth Snyder, and is about a stenographer who reluctantly marries her boss, before having an affair and becoming overpowered by a lust for life. Machinal was last seen in London at the National theatre in 1993, and this production will have designs by Miriam Buether, composition and sound by Ben and Max Ringham, and lighting by Jack Knowles. It runs form 4th June to 21st July.

Ontroerend Goed's production £¥€$ (LIES) will run at the theatre from 31st July to 18th August. The immersive production puts its audience at the centre of the financial market, giving them power to invest imaginary money through the twists and turns the market takes. The piece ran in Plymouth and Edinburgh last year, and will play the Almeida from 31st July to 18th August.

The UK premiere of Clare Barron's play Dance Nation will conclude the season in August. It is about a group of competitive dancers trying to take the world by storm, and is described as "a ferocious exploration of youth, ambition and self-discovery". It will be directed by Bijan Sheibani, and runs from 27th August to 6th October.

The theatre has also announced the return of Almeida for Free for its next production of Summer and Smoke. Last year, the theatre opened its doors for a week to under 25s who wanted to see Andrew Scott's Hamlet for free. From 3rd to 5th April, the theatre will be doing the same for Tennessee Williams' classic Summer and Smoke.

Originally published on

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