| NEW WORLD CHARM
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By JOHN NATHAN
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Published June 21 2008 |
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London's Royal Court Theatre has announced that its Autumn 2008 season will look to America. A new play by Christopher Shinn called Now or Later is timed to coincide with the run up to the U.S. presidential election. It will be followed by the premiere of Wig Out by The Brothers Size writer Tarell Alvin McCraney about drag queens. Both works will be directed by Court artistic director Dominic Cook. In a statement Cook said, In a few months' time, the eyes of the world will be on America as the voters elect their next President. Their decision will affect us all and so it is fitting that our Autumn season looks across the Atlantic for inspiration, with new plays from Christopher Shinn and Tarell Alvin McCraney. In September the Court will also mark the seventieth birthday of playwright Caryl Churchill with a series of readings chosen and directed by fellow playwrights including Martin Crimp, Debbie Tucker Green, Joe Penhall and Wallace Shawn. Now or Later which begins performances on September 3, takes place on the eve of the U.S. election which turns out to be a rougher night than expected for the Democratic President-elect. Shinn's play examines religion, freedom of expression and personal responsibility. The cast will include Domhall Gleeson who received a 2006 Tony nomination for his performance in The Lieutenant of Inishmore Adam James ( My Child) and Eddie Redmayne (The Goat, or Who is Sylvia). Wig Out begins performances on November 20 and is described as a riotous drama about drag queen sub-culture. Casting has yet to be announced.
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