Hampstead Theatre has announced a new full season of eight productions for its 2023 to 2024 season, running from 7 September 2023 to 16 March 2024.
Led by Hampstead Theatre’s Producer and Chief Executive Greg Ripley-Duggan, the season includes three world premieres on the main stage: anthropology by Lauren Gunderson (The Time Traveller’s Wife), directed by Anna Ledwich (7 September – 14 October 2023); To Have and To Hold by Richard Bean, directed Richard Wilson (20 October – 25 November 2023); and Double Feature by John Logan, directed by Jonathan Kent (8 February – 16 March 2024).
Also in the 2023-2024 season is a revival of Tom Stoppard’s acclaimed play Rock ‘n’ Roll, in a new production directed by Nina Raine (6 December 2023 – 27 January 2024).
Downstairs at Hampstead Downstairs, the season will include Octopolis by Marek Horn, directed by Ed Madden (15 September – 28 October 2023); Nineteen Gardens by Magdalena Miecznicka, directed by Alice Hamilton (3 November – 9 December 2023); This Much I Know by Jonathan Spector, directed by Chelsea Walker (13 December 2023 – 27 January 2024); and Out of Season by Neil D’Souza, also directed by Alice Hamilton (16 February – 23 March 2024).
The new season follows Arts Council England’s shock decision last year to cut Hampstead’s funding by 100%. The theatre has now put in place a new funding model, using ticket sales, commercial income and philanthropic support.
Hampstead has also managed to attract some major donors and supporters, to enable them to continue commissioning new plays and mentoring new writers. Hampstead Downstairs in particular will remain a new plays venue thanks to the specific contribution of lead donor Celia Atkin.
Previous Hampstead artistic director Roxana Silbert announced her departure in December last year, citing the funding cuts as the reason.
Greg Ripley-Duggan said in a press statement: “We’re thrilled that, after all the challenges we have had to face in the last few months, we are able to bring together eight fantastic writers and seven brilliant directors in a programme of plays that has Hampstead Theatre’s DNA running right through it. For over sixty years Hampstead has produced entertaining and thought-provoking original work by the world’s finest and most celebrated playwrights, so it’s wonderful to be able to continue that commitment with work by Tom Stoppard, John Logan, Lauren Gunderson and Richard Bean alongside an exciting line-up of outstanding work by less familiar writers. We look forward to welcoming audiences for this exciting season of entertaining, intelligent and topical plays offering new perspectives on a range of subjects from AI to Alfred Hitchcock and from growing old to rock ‘n’ roll.”
Playwright, Tom Stoppard said: “A new era begins in September at Hampstead Theatre and it’s the era of plays unsubsidised by the Arts Council. A season that will depend on philanthropy and the box office. And it will go ever onward doing what Hampstead has always done so well – championing new writing, young and older playwrights, bold plays one after another. We all need Hampstead Theatre to succeed and to be helped to succeed.”
Currently playing at Hampstead Theatre is Biscuits for Breakfast until 10 June 2023, with Dickie Beau in Re-Member Me coming from 25 May to 17 June 2023, Stumped from 22 June to 22July 2023, and Will Young in Song From Far Away from 28 June to 22 July 2023.
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