ClyBourne Park
24 November 2023 – 7 January 2024
Alexandra Palace Theatre, London
In 1959 Russ and Bev are selling their desirable two-bed at a knock-down price. This enables the first black family to move into the neighbourhood, creating ripples of discontent amongst the cosy white urbanites of Clybourne Park. In 2009, the same property is being bought by Lindsey and Steve whose plans to raze the house and start again is met with a similar response. Are the issues festering beneath the floorboards actually the same fifty years on?
Following critical acclaim and a sell-out run, Bruce Norris’ satirical comedy Clybourne Park transfers from the Royal Court to Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End.
Norris’ hilarious satire explores the fault line between race and property. Written in two parts, over two generations in 1959 and 2009, the company play a different role in each act. Clybourne Park was originally staged at the Playwrights Horizons in New York in February 2010.
Francine/Lena - Lorna Brown
Karl/Steve - Stephen Campbell Moore
Betsy/Lindsey - Sarah Goldberg
Kenneth - Michael Goldsmith
Russ/Dan - Stuart McQuarrie
Albert/Kevin - Lucian Msamati
Jim/Tom - Sam Spruell
Bev/Kathy - Sophie Thompson
Understudy Francine/Lena - Nicola Alexis
Understudy Albert/Kevin - Mensah Bediako
Understudy Bev/Kathy/Betsy/Lindsey - Sarah Desmond
Understudy Karl/Steve/Russ/Dan - Cory Peterson
Writer - Bruce Norris
Director - Dominic Cooke
Designer - Robert Innes Hopkins
Lighting Designer - Paule Constable
Sound Designer - David McSeveney
Casting Director - Julia Horan
Associate Lighting Designer - Stephen Andrews
Assistant Director - Kate Hewitt
Flawlessly staged by Dominic Cooke, this insightful evening is given a set of riveting performances that are by turns brittle and profound.
Sunday Express
A firecracker of a play.
Daily Telegraph
★★★★
Both a touching evocation of grief and a sharp satire about hypocrisy.
★★★★
An evening of ebullient provocation
The Guardian
★★★★
All the acting is out of this world. Essential.
the Independent
