September 2018 – March 2019 at the Orange Tree
Major revivals of plays by Jo Clifford, Martin Crimp and William Congreve, alongside the world premiere of a play by Rose Lewenstein and a new family Christmas show feature in the first half of the fifth Orange Tree season from Artistic Director Paul Miller and Executive Director Sarah Nicholson.
Since they took over in 2014, the Orange Tree has won 25 industry awards, including twice winning London’s Most Welcoming Theatre at the UK Theatre Awards. The OT’s acclaimed sold out production of An Octoroon by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (winner of the Critics’ Circle Award and Evening Standard Theatre Award) is about to open at the National Theatre.
- Jo Clifford’s Losing Venice sees a nation constantly on the edge of war, with delusional ideas of its place in the world, making poor choices powered by the absurdities of masculinity. Not seen since it was the surprise smash hit of the 1985 Edinburgh Festival, it will be directed by Paul Miller. Transgender performer and playwright Jo Clifford has recently performed her one-person play Jesus, Queen of Heaven around the world to great acclaim.
- Martin Crimp’s disturbing satire on real estate Dealing with Clair is revived by Richard Twyman, in a co-production with English Touring Theatre. The play was first seen thirty years ago at the Orange Tree, where several of Crimp’s early plays premiered. He is the writer of numerous plays including Attempts on her Life and In the Republic of Happiness. His play The Treatment was recently revived at the Almeida and Letters in Love and Violence, for which he wrote the libretto, just premiered at the Royal Opera House.
- William Congreve’s restoration comedy The Double Dealer is directed by Selina Cadell, following her hugely praised production of Love for Love at the RSC. In a world of artifice and guile, how are we to judge whose behaviour is beyond reproach? From the writer of The Way of the World.
- Cougar is a new play about what – and who – we consume by Rose Lewenstein. Chelsea Walker directs, following her acclaimed production of Low Level Panic at the OT. Our second co-production with English Touring Theatre this season will tour the UK in 2019.
- Can’t Wait for Christmas! with original live music is a family show for ages 3+, created by Imogen Bond and Tarek Merchant, the team behind the OT’s Extra Yarn.
- There will be over 4,000 £12.50 under 30s tickets available for all performances as well as other concessions continuing our commitment to make theatre affordable and accessible at any time. Over 3,000 under 30s have come to the OT in the 2017/18 season.
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream for people with autism and their families will return following its huge success in 2017. Our co-production with Flute was also seen at the Bridge Theatre this year. This is just one part of our Education & Participation Programme, which works with more than 10,000 participants every year.
- OT Extras – a popular series of performances of the best music, comedy and spoken word includes legendary jazz singer Elaine Delmar, poet Roger McGough, comedian Graham Fellows with his new show Completely Out of Character, and the return of Colin Hoult as his comic character Anna Mann. The Allegri Quartet also return.
Paul Miller, Artistic Director, says: “I am very proud of the four productions that form the backbone of the first part of our 2018/19 season at the OT. Wildly different in form, style and age, they all nonetheless have sexual politics at their heart, and speak to a time where gender, identity and behaviour are all under renewed scrutiny. Our education and participation work continues to flourish, engaging 10,000 people each year, and our special collaboration with Flute Theatre on Shakespeare for people with autism is a highlight in this period. With the great support of many patrons, donors, trusts, foundations, and the wonderful Borough of Richmond Council, the OT is surviving and thriving as we move in to the 5th year of work under my tenure as Artistic Director.”
Booking open now!
Click here to explore the season
