PRESS RELEASE
GENESIS DIRECTORS AT THEATRE 503

The Genesis Directors Project continues with new productions in spring 2005, collaborating with Theatre 503 while the Young Vic is being refurbished.

Direct Action @ Theatre 503 is a ground-breaking collaboration between the Young Vic and Theatre 503.

Over recent years, Theatre 503 has established itself as a crucible of new writing. Under artistic director Paul Higgins, it has staged almost 30 new plays by new and emerging playwrights and won the 2004 Peter Brook Empty Space award.

Direct Action is a series of productions staged by the Young Vic since 2001 designed to provide challenging opportunities to young directors. Previous Direct Action shows include Rufus Norris's Afore Night Come, Josette Bushell-Mingo's Simply Heavenly currently playing at Trafalgar Studios and a season of four neglected short classics in April 2004.

While the Young Vic is rebuilt, Theatre 503 will collaborate with the Young Vic to present a new series of Direct Action shows - chamber plays and emerging directors in a celebration of ambition and originality. These are landmark pieces - old and new - which redefine theatrical form and reassert the power and intensity of big ideas in small spaces.

Direct Action @ Theatre 503 is creatively led by Paul Higgins Artistic Director (Theatre 503) and director Joe Hill-Gibbins (Young Vic).

It opens with Conor McPherson's This Lime Tree Bower in a production by 2004 Jerwood Award Winner Yael Shavit. It previews from 8 February with the press night on 9 February and runs until 20 February 2005.

This is followed by In the Blue by Peter Gill, directed by the well known actor Daniel Evans. It previews from 22 March with the press night on Wednesday 23 March and runs until 3 April 2005.

Direct Action is generously supported by the Genesis Foundation and The Tara Ulemek Foundation.

The Genesis Foundation is a UK-based charity created in January 2001 to support young artists in a variety of forms. The foundation is also committed to new composers and librettists through its Genesis Opera Project; to new writing in projects with the Royal Court Theatre; and to schemes for supporting scholarships, bursaries and new arts businesses.

The Tara Ulemek Foundation, established in early 2001, has as its mission the protection and promotion of theatre. Its twin goals are to support those companies who aim to keep the theatre alive and vigorous, and to work with major training and performing arts organisations to help develop rising actors and directors. The Tara Ulemek Foundation was a founding partner in Direct Action at the Young Vic in 2001 and is providing sustained support for the programme through to 2006.

For further information please contact Cliona Roberts at clionarobertsyoungvic [dot] org or phone 020 7820 3399.

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Theatre 503 Box Office

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