The Arcola Theatre announces Spring/Summer 2017 Season

Greg Hicks returns to the Arcola in Richard III

The Arcola Theatre in Dalston, east London have announced details of their 2017 Spring/Summer Season.

Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen said of the season: "Arcola's new season confronts tyranny - the tyranny of people by rulers (Richard III, Tamburlaine, These Trees), states of emergency (The Plague, Ready Or Not) and work in the global economy (The Pulverised). At a time when the world order is under strain - but also when ordinary people are feeling the strain of that change - these plays offer a chance to reflect on our afflictions, and on ways we might resist the worst excesses of power."

In Studio 1 the season will include:

The Plague, based on La Peste by Albert Camus, adapted and directed by Neil Bartlett running from 5 April to 6 May 2017 with an official opening on 11 April.

"Dr Rieux is noticing things. A rat on the stairs, where it has no right to be. A sore throat becoming a fever. The first signs of panic. It all amounts to a troubling diagnosis... so what's the cure? The Plague is Albert Camus' electrifying story about living through a time of crisis and fighting back against despair. Written in the aftermath of the Nazis' march across Europe, it struck a powerful chord with millions struggling to understand the fascist 'plague' that had just overwhelmed them. Now, seventy years later, multi-award-winning director Neil Bartlett retells Camus' classic for our own dangerous times."

The cast will include Joseph Alessi, Burt Caesar, Billy Postlethwaite, Sara Powell and Martin Turner.

Richard III by William Shakespeare, directed by Mehmet Egen, running from 11 May to 10 June 2017 with an official opening on 15 May.

"King Edward is on the throne, and England is at peace. But don't worry - it won't be that way for long. Gripping and outrageous, Shakespeare's Richard III is the tale of a ruthless, power-crazed misogynist who lies and cheats his way to the highest seat in the land." Greg Hicks stars as Richard III with further casting to be announced.

These Trees are Made of Blood, book by Paul Jenkins, music and lyrics by Darren Clark, based on an original story by Amy Draper, Paul Jenkins and Darren Clark, running from 14 June to 15 July 2017 with an official opening on 16 June.

"1970s Argentina. A violent, right-wing dictatorship. Thousands of citizens, seized by the authorities, have "disappeared". Inside the country's most disreputable club, a mother is about to risk everything to find her missing daughter. Spectacular, arresting and totally unique, These Trees are Made of Blood blends cabaret and original live music to tell a vital, human story from Argentina's Dirty War. Step into Buenos Aires for this immersive theatrical experience, which pulls back the curtain on a secretive state, and shines the spotlight on a powerful act of resistance.

In Studio 2:

Yellow Earth presents Tamburlaine by Christopher Marlowe, adapted and directed by Ng Choon Ping running from 15 March to 8 April 2017.

"A lowly shepherd rises to power - and conquers half the known world. Tamburlaine is a breathtaking interrogation of power, masculinity and the limits of violence."

Cast includes Melody Brown, Lourdes Faberes, Fiona Hampton, Susan Hingley, Amanda Maud, Leo Wan with live taiko drumming by Joji Hirota.

Kali Theatre presents Ready or Not by Naylah Ahmed, directed by Helena Bell from 11 - 29 April 2017.

"Why would an ordinary retired teacher take a young Muslim man hostage in her living room? In this timely political thriller from Naylah Ahmed, an innocent encounter soon develops into a dangerous game of hide and seek with the truth. In a world of 24-hour news, is there any escape from fear? And how can we detect the real enemy at our gates?" Cast includes Joan Blackham, Naeem Hayat and Natasha Rickman.

Arcola Theatre, Changing Face and York Theatre Royal present The Pulverised by Alexandra Badea, translated by Lucy Phelps and directed by Andy Sava fom 2 to 27 May 2017.

"A quality assurance officer from France, a call centre manager from Senegal, a factory worker from China, and an engineer from Romania. Each leads a life apart, but all work round-the-clock for the same multinational corporation. When work has no borders, what's the cost?"

Tickets for all productions are now on sale.