Arena Mexico New Plays From Mexico ( Archived )

ONLINE BOOKING UPDATE:

These events are very popular and online tickets are now sold out for all events except for our seminar on Saturday 14th January. For availability please call the Box Office direct on 020 7565 5000 / 7565 5100.

In May 2004 the Royal Court began a collaboration with TEATRO HELENICO in Mexico City and the British Council. Thirteen young playwrights from all parts of the country took part in a series of writers groups developing drafts of new plays reflecting life in contemporary Mexico. As a result, a week of readings will take place at TEATRO HELENICO in December 2005 and a co-production will be presented at the Cervantino Festival and the Royal Court in Autumn 2006. Now in specially commissioned translations, we present rehearsed readings of five new plays from this on-going collaboration.

Tuesday 10 January 7pm

ON INSOMNIA AND MIDNIGHT

(De Insomnio y Media Noche)

by Edgar Chias

Translation: David Johnston

Direction: Roxana Silbert

In a mountain hotel an ailing guest and a nervous chambermaid strike an uneasy friendship. But the closer they become, the more danger they face.

Wednesday 11 January 7pm

THE SANCHEZ HUERTA GIRL KILLED HERSELF

(Sanchez Huerta. Se Mato la Nina)

by Claudia Rios

Translation: Roxana Silbert

Direction: Orla O’Loughlin

After Alicia Sanchez Huerta’s unexpected suicide, her parents meet for the first time in years at the school where she died. Parents and teachers alike are forced to face the possibility of their own guilt.

Thursday 12 January 7pm

SEVEN ELEVEN

by Ivan Olivares

Translation: William Gregory

Direction: Indhu Rubasingham

Cabron ‘the Bastard’ isn’t having a good day. His scams aren’t going well. Thank God for the Seven-Eleven and its constant supply of hotdogs. A dark caper through Mexico’s criminal underbelly.

Friday 13 January 7pm

LITTLE CERTAINTIES

(Pequenas Certezas)

by Barbara Colio

Translation: William Gregory

Direction: Gordon Anderson

Mario is missing. Is he dead or alive? In the border town of Tijuana, Mario’s brother and sister, Juan and Sofa, make a shocking discovery about their brother and his secrets.

Saturday 14 January 7pm

USED BLOOD JUNKYARD

(Deshuesadero de Sangre Basura)

by Alberto Villarreal Diaz

Translation: Simon Scardifield

Direction: Tiffany Watt-Smith

“Mexico rocked by art terrorists!” Lazaro, his mates and his porn-star girl…can anything stop their killing spree?

EVENTS

Wednesday 11 January 5pm

*A GOLDEN AGE OF MEXICAN CINEMA *

With Ignacio Duran, Minister of Cultural Affairs at the Mexican Embassy and filmmaker, and Andrea Noble, Durham University, with extracts from classic and contemporary Mexican films.

Friday 13 January 9pm

Undercroft Bar

MEXICAN MUSIC AND FOOD

Join us in the Royal Court Undercroft Bar for an evening of Mexican food, drink and live Mexican music.

Saturday 14 January 4pm

Jerwood Theatre Upstairs

SEMINAR: NEW PLAYS FROM MEXICO

A forum led by playwright and artistic director, Luis Mario Moncada, including all five featured playwrights and directors and writers involved in the Royal Court projects in Mexico. The discussion will be followed by free refreshments in the Balcony Bar.

Saturday 14 January 9pm

Undercroft Bar

LIVE MARIACHI MUSIC

with Salvador Jimenez Hernandez, traditional Mexican music in the Royal Court Undercroft Bar with Mexican refreshments

ARENA MEXICO is A Genesis Project, presented in collaboration with the British Council, with thanks to the Anglo-Mexican Foundation, Cuervo Tequila, Corona and the Mexican Embassy in London.