Coutts & Co launches Podcasts of Almedia Theatre’s benefit evening and first ever chain play

Interviews with script writers and cast downloadable at www.coutts.com

Coutts & Co has launched a series of online podcasts to support their sponsorship of the Almeida theatre’s fundraising benefit to be held this evening, Friday 23rd March. Six world-class playwrights have each written a link in a play and the final result - A Chain Play - will be performed for one night only.

A Chain Play, directed by Tom Cairns, began in November 2006 and each of the six writers were given just two weeks to add a scene of between ten and fifteen minutes before passing on the script to the next writer. A two-week rehearsal period for the actors will culminate with the single performance this evening. The six playwrights are Samuel Adamson, Moira Buffini, David Hare, Charlotte Jones, Frank McGuinness and Roy Williams.

Sarah Deaves, Chief Executive of Coutts & Co said: “The Almeida is one of the world's most dynamic and innovative theatres and Coutts is delighted to be the Principal Sponsor for a fifth year.  This Chain Play is a very special fundraising event in aid of a fantastic cause, but because it is a one-off performance seats are very much in demand. And that’s why we’ve decided to launch this series of online podcasts to give theatre lovers across the world access to exclusive interviews with the writers and cast but at their ultimate convenience. We hope this will inspire more people to become a supporter of the Almeida.”

The podcasts include interviews with:

·Jenny Worton, Artistic Associate at the Almeida in an interview on how the Chain Play concept arrived at the theatre;

·Roy Williams, one of the six playwrights talking about how he felt starting the first link of the play and his thoughts on how the characters he created may turn out;

·Danny Sapani and Jenny Jules, are playing husband and wife, Robert and Karen in the play. They will be talking about what attracted them to A Chain Play and what their approach will be; and

·Michele Austin, playing Marcia is interviewed about her preparation for the play, and how she’s coping with just two weeks to practice.

The Chain Play cast will feature Michelle Austin, Nathan Stewart Jarrett, Jenny Jules, Alastair Mackenzie, Danny Sapani and Jodie Whittaker, and has been produced with the help of the theatre’s Benefit Committee.

For further information please contact:

Jo Thorne, Regional PR Manager, Coutts & Co. Tel: 020 7957 2650, mob: 07766070859, or email: joanna.thorne@coutts.com

Notes to Editors

·Coutts is the international private banking arm of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is one of the world's largest banking groups.

·Coutts manages the wealth of 96,000 high net worth clients worldwide through a network of over 40 offices globally.

·The first Coutts regional office to be opened was Eton in 1961. Today, Coutts has regional offices in Bath, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Eton, Guildford, Hampshire, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford and Tunbridge Wells.

·Coutts offers clients a range of products and services covering sophisticated investment products together with expertise in trust and fiduciary services and UK tax and banking services.

·Coutts & Co is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Coutts & Co Registered in England No 36695Registered Office 440 Strand London WC2R 0QS.

·Calls may be recorded.

www.coutts.com

The writers and director

·Australian born Samuel Adamson is currently under commission by the Almeida.  His plays and adaptations have been performed at the National Theatre and Old Vic, and include Southwark Fair and Pillars of the Community.

·Dying For It, Moira Buffini’s new adaptation of Nikolai Erdman’s satirical comedy The Suicide, is currently playing at the Almeida.  Directed by Anna Mackmin, Dying For It will run until 28 April.  Buffini’s plays include Dinner, Loveplay, The Games Room and Silence.

·David Hare’s version of Gorky’s Enemies was directed by Michael Attenborough, the Almeida’s Artistic Director, earlier this year. Previously, Hare’s versions of The Life of Galileo, The Rules of the Game, Ivanov and Platonov have been presented by the Almeida as well as The Judas Kiss at The Playhouse and Plenty at the Albery Theatre. 

·The world premiere of Charlotte Jones’ The Lightning Play was presented by the Almeida in 2006, directed by Anna Mackmin.  Her other plays include Humble Boy, The Dark, In Flame and Martha and Josie and the Chinese Elvis which is currently touring the UK. Jones wrote the book for the musical Woman in White.

·The world premiere of Frank McGuinness’ new play, There Came a Gypsy Riding, played to full houses at the Almeida earlier this year and was directed by Michael Attenborough.  McGuinness’ many plays include Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme, Dolly West’s Kitchen, Mutabilitie, The Factory Girls and Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me.

·Roy Williams, the Almeida’s Writer in Residence who is currently under commission by the theatre, is currently developing Out of the Fog, inspired by young people’s responses to Theodore Ward’s Big White Fog, which will be performed at the Almeida prior to the run of Ward’s play (11 May – 30 June).

The Director, Tom Cairns returns to the Almeida to direct A Chain Play.  His previous theatre work includes Aunt Dan and Lemon for the Almeida, Phaedra for the Donmar Warehouse, Aristocrats for the National Theatre, The Lady from the Sea for the Glasgow Citizens and Uncle Vanya for the Crucible Sheffield.  His opera work includes The Tempest for the Royal Opera House, The Second Mrs Kong for Glyndebourne, Don Giovanni for Scottish Opera, Jenufa for Opera North and King Priam for English National Opera. His film work includes Trouble in Tahiti, Amongst Women, Big Day and The Anniversary.