If the build up to Christmas wasn’t exciting enough the theatrical grotto of Theatre 503 is preparing a stash of plays to welcome in the New Year.

Their spring season promises to blast any post-Christmas blues with a collection of new writing that ranges between the eclectic topics of fertility, online identity, slavery and gun crime.

The Artistic Director, Paul Robinson, hopes to build on the success of this year’s programme which brought them over 12 Off West End Award nominations and a Peter Brook Award nomination. The success of Theatre 503 rests mainly on their trust in, and encouragement of new writing. Robinson says, “In tough times and when other organisations are shying away from new writing altogether, this coming season epitomises the work we do and why we do it.”

Highlights of the coming season include:

Animals (7^th April- 2nd May)

Written by Yorkshire-based playwright, Emma Adams, Animals is a wicked satire set in a world everyone over 60 is tossed on the scrapheap, children are hot housed and being a ‘burden on society’ is the ultimate crime.

I and the village (9^th June – 4^th July)

Award-winning  playwright Silva Semerciyan (Gather Ye Rosebuds) tells a coming of age story that asks pointed questions about conformity, dissent and America’s devotion to guns. This world premiere will be directed by Robert Shaw Cameron (Birmingham REP and Sheffield Crucible).

Sense of an Ending (12th May – 6^th June)

Ken Urban’s award winning play shines a light on journalistic truth and morality amid the atrocity of the Rwandan genocide. This production will coincide with the 21^st anniversary of the genocide and makes us question whether forgiveness is ever possible.

Charlotte Pegram