The Unicorn Theatre’s new Artistic Director Purni Morell has announced her first season at the London venue. Featuring new work from leading writers and world-class theatre makers, the Unicorn plans to create a “surprising and exciting environment across its two spaces, which speaks to both adults and children about who we are and how we live today.”
Morell said, “It’s a very exciting time to be joining the Unicorn. There’s a great buzz in Britain around theatre for younger audiences at the moment, and I’m delighted to be able to capitalise on that by offering both tried and tested favourites but also some quite radical new departures. What we’ve tried to do is offer everyone a taste of what is to come here in the future, and, particularly, to extend our reach out to older teenage and adult audiences with some quite challenging work that I think will surprise.”
The season, which runs from April to June, will be:
Saturday 31 March to Sunday 15 April
A Unicorn production
The Legend of Captain Crow’s Teeth
Based on the book by Eoin Colfer, directed and devised by Matthew Lenton
Based on the novel from the popular best-selling children’s author Eoin Colfer, creator of the Artemis Fowl series, The Legend of Captain Crow’s Teeth is a funny and lively adventure of ghostly pirates, sibling rivalry and terrifying school discos, directed and devised by Matthew Lenton.
Suitable for age 7 upwards.
Tuesday 17 to Saturday 28 April
A Hull Truck production
DNA
By Dennis Kelly
DNA follows the story of a group of teenagers who try to cover their tracks after making the biggest mistake of their lives.
Suitable for age 12 upwards.
Friday 11 to Sunday 20 May
An Iron Shoes production in association with the Unicorn
Mad About the Boy
By Gbolahan Obisesan
Set in London, Mad About the Boy sees a teenage boy fighting for his status, survival and identity, pulled between the influence of his family, his friends and his school.
Suitable for age 14 upwards.
Wednesday 25 April – Sunday 20 May
The Unicorn presents
The Man with the Disturbingly Smelly Foot
By Nancy Harris, based on Sophocles’ Philoctetes
Philoctetes has been deserted by Odysseus because he has a disgustingly smelly foot. Odysseus also left Philoctetes with a magical bow and arrow that he needs.
Suitable for ages 7-10.
Saturday 28 April – Saturday 19 May
The Unicorn presents
How to Think the Unthinkable
By Ryan Craig, based on Sophocles’ Antigone
Ryan Craig’s visceral play captures the passion, danger and moral deadlock of the story of Greece’s most famous teenager. Is it right to question or defy those in authority whey we know they’re wrong?
Suitable for ages 11-14.
Friday 1 – Sunday 24 June
A Unicorn production
Something Very Far Away
Written and directed by Mark Arends
A completely new theatrical experience. The show is animated in front of you as the story is told through projection, puppetry and music, no words at all.
Suitable for ages 8+.
Tuesday 12 to Saturday 23 June
New International Encounter and the Unicorn presents
Tales from the River Thames
Co created by NIE and pupils across London
Based on stories written by 600 schoolchildren from across London, this is a site specific production and will be held at Number 10, Bermondsey Street, in the tunnels below London Bridge station.
Suitable for ages 7+.
Thursday 28 to Saturday 30 June
In association with LIFT
Before Your Very Eyes
By Gobsquad and Campo
Nine 8-14 year olds are locked in a glass box with one-way mirrors and will age ‘before your very eyes’. Watch children enact a fortieth Birthday party and talk to their younger selves presented through live performance and recorded material.
This production is suitable for ages 14+.
From 29th August to 1st September the Unicorn Young Company will produce How Was It For You? A piece of verbatim theatre based on how the Olympics has affected the lives of Londoners. This production, by the Unicorn Young Company, will be written by Evan Placey (Synergy Theatre’s Holloway Jones and winner of RBC Under 30 National Playwriting Competition), and directed by Nadia Fall.
This production is suitable for everyone.