The Spoils written by and starring Jesse Eisenberg

Dom O'Hanlon
Dom O'Hanlon

It has been announced that the European premiere of The New Group's Off-Broadway comedy The Spoils written by and starring Jesse Eisenberg will run at the Trafalgar Studios in central London from 27 May to 13 August with an official opening on 2 June 2016.

Eisenberg's third play originally ran in 2015 at The Pershing Square Signature Center where it was described as a 'tragicomic work' that explores questions of American privilege and the nature of family and relationships. It will be directed by The New Group's Artistic Director Scott Elliott, and will star Jesse Eisenberg as Ben, alongside star of 'The Big Bang Theory' Kunal Nayyar as Kalyan, with further casting to be announced.

"Nobody likes Ben. Ben doesn't even like Ben. He bullies everyone in his life, including his roommate Kalyan, an earnest Nepalese immigrant. When Ben discovers that his school crush is marrying a straight-laced banker, he sets out to destroy their relationship and win her back."

The production features set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski, sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen and projection design by Olivia Sebesky.

Eisenberg said of the announcement:

"The Spoils explores issues as disparate as stunted sexuality and the politics of the deposed Nepalese Monarchy, NFL on Fox and the fluctuating prices of tea on the agrarian market. It's about how all of these seemingly unrelated things intersect to create a portrait of life in a complicated, heterogeneous society. I'm thrilled to perform this play in London, such an incredible centre for theatre."

Tickets for the production will be on sale from 7 April 2016.


Originally published on

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