Concrete Jungle

Concrete Jungle

by Olivier Award-winning playwright Bola Agbaje

2, 3 and 4 April  RIVERSIDE STUDIOS

Just months after the UK riots, gang culture is on the increase, the government is clamping down and British society is becoming ever more fragmentised.

Set on one of the UK's roughest estates, Concrete Jungle follows a group of young people in their daily battle for survival, respect and something more than just existence.

In advance of a full run in the autumn, three previews of a new play, presented in association with Wild Thyme Productions (The King’s Speech) written by Olivier Award-winning writer Bola Agbaje and based on true stories from interviews with gangs, police, politicians, prisons and our next generation of ‘elders,’ we embrace the daily problems young people face as they strive to better their circumstances.

Concrete Jungle explores the many layers of British society, including race, creed and cultural differences, penetrating the sensationalism of the media and governmental discrimination. It questions the system that entraps; the cycles that prevail and looks at the substitute for the modern family unit. Concrete Jungle delves fearlessly into the core of the problem with particular focus on women’s roles within gang culture.

A provocative, original, fearless and entertaining new play from one of the country’s most succesful young playwrights.

Bola Agabje won the 2008 Outstanding achievement in an Affiliated Theatre Laurence Olivier Award for her first play Gone Too Far (2007) at the Royal Court. She won the Women of the Future Award in the Arts and Culture category and Best Playwright at the African Film Awards. In 2010 the Royal Court produced her second play Off the Endz . She wrote Detaining Justice (2009) for the ‘Not Black or White’ season at the Tricycle, where she also wrote Playing the Game for the ‘Women, Power and Politics’ season. Her latest play Belong premieres at the Royal Court, presented with Tiata Fahodzi from 26 April.

The cast features Devon Anderson who makes his stage debut following TV performances including Billy Jackson in EastEnders, Sonny Valentine in Hollyoaks, Sinbad and Kerching. He is joined by Tansy Adair, Lara Doree, Leonie Elliot, Aaron Fontaine, David Hepple and Nicolette Morrison.

Directed by Zoe Lafferty, Set and Costume Design is by Moi Tran, Lighting Design by Tim Deiling, and the Sound Designer is Helen Skiera.

Listings information
Mon 2, Tue 3 & Wed 4 April at 7.30pm
Riverside Studios
Crisp Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9RL

Nearest tube: Hammersmith (District/Picadilly/Hammersmith & City)
Box Office: 0208 237 1111 www.riversudestudios.co.uk
Tickets: £12 (£10 concessions)

‘Early Bird’ tickets booked by 20 March: £10