In Basildon

Len’s on his death bed and the family gather to say their final farewells. His sisters still aren’t speaking after nearly 20 years, his nephew’s trying for a baby – and a bigger house, while his best mate Ken remembers ‘Bas-vegas’ when it was a village. As the spread is laid out and the ham sandwiches sit next to the wreaths, it’s hard to see who’s hungry and who’s just greedy.

An epic family drama exploring inheritance and the myth of place.

David Eldridge was last at the Royal Court with Under the Blue Sky. His recent credits include Knot of the Heart at the Almeida Theatre, The Stock Da’wa at Hampstead Theatre, The Lady From The Sea for the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky with Robert Holman and Simon Stephens for the Lyric Hammersmith, Market Boy at the National Theatre and Festen at the Almeida and West End.

Artistic Director of the Royal Court Dominic Cooke directs. His recent credits include Chicken Soup with Barley and the multi award-winning production of Clybourne Park for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award. Clybourne Park, which won writer Bruce Norris a Pulitzer Prize, opened at the Royal Court in September 2010 to critical acclaim before transferring to the West End.

Other credits at the Royal Court include Aunt Dan and Lemon, The Fever, Seven Jewish Children, Wig Out!, Now or Later, Rhinoceros and two plays in Mark Ravenhill’s Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat. His credits elsewhere include Arabian Nights and Noughts and Crosses, both for the RSC, as adapter and director. He won the Olivier award for Best Director and Best Revival for The Crucible. He will be making his National Theatre debut later this year, directing The Comedy of Errors.

Running time 2hrs 30mins approx, incl. one interval

£10 Monday tickets available on the day of perf from 9am online, 10am in-person.

Playtext available from our bookshop (UK postage only)