World Stages London Festival announced

World Stages London Festival 2012 , a collaboration between 8 London producing venues and 12 UK and international co-producers, will commence from May 2012.

It is a celebration of the cosmopolitan diversity of London and is jointly produced by Battersea Arts Centre, the Bush Theatre, the Lyric Hammersmith, the Royal Court Theatre, Sadler's Wells, Somerset House, Theatre Royal Stratford East and the Young Vic.

Productions include....

13 Apr - 13 May 2012
Wild Swans, written by Jung Chang, adapted by Alexandra Wood, directed by Sacha Wares, designed by Miriam Buether, lighting by D M Wood, choreography by Leon Baugh, costume by Moritz Junge.

China at the heart of the 20th Century. A nation transformed beyond recognition. Through the eyes of one fiercely courageous family, Wild Swans takes us on a journey from the early days of Communist hope and struggle, through the chaos and confusion of Mao's Cultural Revolution, to the birth of a superpower.

21 May - 16 Jun 2012
The Suit, written by Peter Brook and Marie Hélène Estienne based on 'Le Costume' by Can Themba adapted for stage by Barney Simon and Mothobi Mutloatse, lighting by Philippe Vialatte, music by Franck Krwczyk.

Cast includes Nonhlanhla Kheswa, Jared McNeill

In the dusty heat of 1950's Sophiatown, a young worker returns home to find his wife in bed with her lover. The lover escapes, leaving behind his suit. The only revenge the husband takes is to instruct his wife to treat the suit as an honoured guest. But how long can she endure this pitiless sentence?

03 May - 19 May 2012
Three Kingdoms, written by Simon Stephens, directed by Sebastian Nüebling, designed by Ene-Liis Semper, sound by Lars Wittershagen.

Cast includes Rasmus Kaljujarv, Risto Kuber, Lasse Myhr, Mirtel Pohla, Jaak Prints, Gert Raudsep, Ferdy Roberts, Steven Scharf, Rupert Simonian, Cigdem Teke, Nicolas Tennant, Tambet Tuisk, Sergo Vares.

A dark new thriller, set across three countries exploring human trafficking and the vice trade. As the severed human head of an Estonian woman is found in a river in Hammersmith, two British detectives set off in search of her origins in Europe and how she came to be found dead. Fighting to cross international borders and language barriers, the pair enter a nightmarish world that will change one of them forever. Three Kingdoms tells the stories of trafficked women, the gangs and the police forces across Europe that attempt to control the trade.

08 May - 20 May 2012
Babel Directed by Bill Mitchell, designed by Myriddin Wannell.

An outdoor show created for an iconic London setting, Babel is staged through a unique partnership between WildWorks and Battersea Arts Centre and will feature a cast of 500 community and professional actors and musicians.

24 May - 23 Jun 2012
Wah! Wah! Girls, written by Tanika Gupta, directed by Emma Rice, costume and design by Keith Khan, choreography by Javed Sanadi , Gauri Sharma Tripathi, music by Niraj Chag.

Inspired by the world of the Mujra dancers, who for generations have entertained the rich and powerful with a spellbinding mix of dance and song, Wah! Wah! Girls tells a passionate and playful story of love against the odds. Set against the vibrant background of the East End in 2012, these unstoppable girls uncover deep secrets and create unexpected dreams.

Other shows in the festival will include The Beloved at Bush Theatre and Yorbua a Royal Court and Young Vic collaboration.