As Britain's new Coalition Government settles in, and the Opposition debates whether they chose the right brother, Theatre 503 launches a season of new plays that take a playful look at the workings of Parliament, with Garbiel Bisset-Smith's The Charming Man.
The Charming Man is a satire of modern British politics in Bisset-Smith's characteristic irreverent style. It's 2015 and British politics is a hot steaming mess. The Green Party could finally be in with a chance, but they need a fresh face to front the campaign. Enter Darren, a youth worker with integrity, ideals and a winning smile. But in a world of dirty tricks and dangerous egos, change always comes at a price. Gabriel Bisset-Smith's new play delivers sparkling political satire with comedy, colour and plenty of charm.
Gabriel Bisset-Smith's theatre credits include D.I.Y Utopia (Old Vic New Voices Arden Project); A Five Star Werewolf (York Theatre Royal); Guilty, Not Guilty (Drywrite/Latitude) Fight! Fight! Fight! and Playtime (Hampstead Theatre); Graceland (Old Vic 24 Hour Plays); Dreams Of A Brixton Butterfly Broker (New York Public Theatre); The Black Bono (BBC Radio 4); The Things Of Life (Resonance FM). He has also been on attachment at the Soho Theatre, the Royal Court and is a regular story contributor on Channel 4's Skins. His short film Thrush can be seen at the BFI from 10-14 November as part of the onedotzero_adventures in motion festival.
Paul Robinson is Joint Artistic Director of Theatre503 for whom he has directed Salt Meets Wound, They Have Oak Trees in North Carolina (503/Radio 4), The Lifesavers (TMA Award nomination) and Porn The Musical (Time Out Critics' Choice.) Other recent credits include the West End premiere of Athol Fugard's Hello and Goodbye (ETT/Trafalgar Studios) and Breakfast with Mugabe (Bath Theatre Royal.) He also directed Who Killed Mr Drum? (Riverside Studios), World's End (Pleasance / Trafalgar Studios) and the West End transfer of Tom Stoppard's Rock 'n' Roll.
The Charming Man is part of a new season of plays at Theatre503 that offer a light hearted perspective on contemporary British politics. The next play in the season is Coaliton, in which a group of 10 writers including Dominic Cavendish, Ella Hickson and Ben Ockrent will be thrown together with 10 artists from totally different disciplines including Rogue Nouveau, Bourgeois & Maurice and Ronnie Le Drew, to create new works.
Bisset-Smith says: "The Charming Man was born from an anger and frustration at how un-engaging and outdated our country's politics are and how we need to ask ourselves some serious questions about what it is we really want and need from our leaders."
Writer: Gabriel Bisset-Smith Director: Paul Robinson Designer: Libby Watson Lighting Designer: Kevin Treacy Sound and Music: Simon Slater
Cast: Sarah Berger, Christopher Brandon, Syrus Lowe, Simon Rivers, Sam Pamhilon, Kate Sissons & David Verrey
Time: 7.45pm / 5pm Sun Address: Theatre 503, The Latchmere Pub, 503 Battersea Park Road, London SW11 3BW Info:www.theatre503.com
