Good Night Out Presents THE PRESENT At The Cock Tavern Theatre 8/18-9/5

Good Night Out Presents The Present: The first UK stage revival of Nick Ward's play. "I'm very pleased to be part of such an exciting new venue- it's like being young all over again." Nick Ward, 18th August - 5th September, 2009

Directed by: Adam Spreadbury-Maher, Lighting Design by Steve Lowe

Nietzche, Lennon, and art and hippy disillusionment combine in a young man's surreal journey of self discovery. Set in Melbourne, Australia in the immediate aftermath of John Lennon's assassination in December 1980.

Eighteen year old Danny is taken under the wing of predatory con-man Michael and his mysterious polyamorous bisexual acquaintances, Libby and Becky. Embroiled in a drug induced art world, he is molded and manipulated. Fantasy blurs with reality and using mind games they force him to relive moments from his past.

"All the life-changing moments we live return an infinite number of times". Neitzsche

The Present premiered at the Bush Theatre in February 1995, directed by Nick Ward to critical acclaim, in their review The Independent on Sunday celebrated Nick Ward as a "theatrical poet". In 2001 Playground Studios filmed an updated version, also directed by Nick Ward and starring Karen Cartlidge from the original production.

This is the second revival of a play from the Bush Theatre at The c*ckTavern Theatre and by resident company Good Night Out Presents. In March 2009 their production of Adrian Pagan's The Backroom was extended for an extra month: "A lively and affectionate revival" - What's On Stage 4-Stars.

Formed in January 2009 The c*ckTavern Theatre is rapidly establishing itself at the forefront of the London Fringe. Under the artistic leadership of Adam Spreadbury-Maher it is committed to seeking out and providing a platform for tomorrow's leading playwrights and directing talent.

The theatre company Good Night Out Presents (GNOP) began in August 2008. After a residency at The White Bear Theatre, they now manage The c*ckTavern Theatre. GNOP's world premiere of Studies For A Portrait (Time Out Critics' Choice) recently transferred to Oval House for a month long run. Previous productions include the world premiere of The Ides of March (Time Out 4-stars), the sell-out Cosi starring Mark Little and the extended run of The Backroom (Time Out 4-stars). 

Australian-Irish director Adam Spreadbury-Maher, 27, trained at London's Central School of Speech and Drama. He is Artistic Director of Good Night Out Presents and The c*ckTavern Theatre. He won an Australia Critics' Circle Award in 2004 for his production of Beautiful Thing. Recent credits include Cosi (What's On Stage & TNT 4-stars), The Ides of March by Duncan Ley (Time Out 4-stars) and Studies For A Portrait (Time Out Critics' Choice) which was snapped up by Oval House for a month long run. He has directed at Oval House, New End, Etcetera, Arcola and White Bear Theatres. Adam is preparing to direct the next London revival of Peter Gill's The York Realist at Riverside Studios.

Playwright Nick Ward was born in Geelong, Australia, in 1962. His first plays as writer/director won three Fringe First Awards at the Edinburgh Festival. He won the prestigious George Devine Award in 1988 for Apart From George (National Theatre, Edinburgh Festival, Royal Court, a national tour and New York). He subsequently wrote and directed The Strangeness of Others (National Theatre). Other plays include Eastwood (Time Out Award, 1986), The Cenci, commissioned by Almeida Opera, and a translation of A Doll's House which he also directed (Leicester Haymarket). His radio work includes Trouble Sleeping with Jim Broadbent and Patricia Routledge (BBC Radio 3). He has also written and directed two films, Dakota Road (Channel 4) and Look Me in the Eye (BBC). Nick currently works primarily as a songwriter and musician, and is in the process of returning to the theatre with his new company Nick Ward Scenarios.

Venue The c*ckTavern Theatre, 125 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 6JH

Dates & Times 18th August - 5th September

Tuesday - Saturday 7.30pm

Sunday 5pm

Box Office 08444 771 000 / www.cocktaverntheatre.com

Tickets £12 (£10 concessions)

Previews 18th and 19th August all tickets £10.

Transport Kilburn Park (Bakerloo Line). Five minutes from Tricycle Theatre