Photo Flash: Obi Abili and Paul Moriarty in TAKING PART at Criterion Theatre

Now through 12 August, 2012, the Criterion Theatre presents Playing The Games, a programme of work that celebrates both artistic and sporting talent featuring emerging and established actors, comedians, musicians, playwrights and Olympians. As part of the programme, Sam Hodges, Producer of the Criterion Theatre, has commissioned two new plays by emerging British playwrights Serge Cartwright and Adam Brace in response to the presence of the Olympic Games in London. See below for production photos from Adam Brace's TAKING PART!

Charlotte Gwinner directs Obi Abili and Paul Moriarty in the world premiere of Adam Brace’s two-handerTaking Part. Designs are by James Cotterill with lighting by Emma Chapman and sound by Gregory Clarke.

Lucky Henry, a Congolese security guard, has set his sights set on representing his country at the 2012 Olympics. Only one problem; he’s a terrible swimmer and his Russian coach wants to fly home on the first day of training. Everyone loves an underdog – think Eddie the Eagle or Eric the Eel. Follow Henry’s journey from deep end straggler to Olympic hopeful as the two men try to fulfill their dreams at the London games. Taking part is a funny, timely tale of true grit, self belief and canny opportunism.

Obi Abili (Henry), who played Paul in Six Degrees of Separation at The Old Vic and Iarbus in Dido Queen of Carthage at National Theatre, has also been seen in Play House at the Orange Tree, The Brothers Size at the Young Vic and Angels in America for Headlong Theatre and Lyric Hammersmith. On television his credits include Strikeback II, Foyles War, Kingdom, Afterlife, Moses Jones and Ten Days to War. Film credits include World War Z and Gambit.

Paul Moriarty’s (Grigory) more recent theatre credits include Titanic for Belfast MAC, Translations for Leicester Curve, 1984 for Manchester Royal Exchange and Rosmersholm, Richard II, Coriolanus all for The Almeida Theatre Moriarty has also worked extensively for The National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. His screen credits include Ashes to Ashes, Holby City, Jack of Hearts, Eastenders, A Touch of Frost, The Knock, Murder Most Horrid, Pride and Prejudice, Shine on Harvey Moon and Hidden Agenda.

Adam Brace’s first full length play, Stovepipe, was presented at HighTide Festival Theatre and transferred to London in collaboration with the Bush and National Theatre. His other writing includes Midnight Your Time, also for HighTide, Jimmy McGhie’s Artificial Intelligence, The Four Stages of Cruelty, Because It’s There and Fran Moulds’ Curtains.
Charlotte Gwinner was Associate Director at The Bush from 2009 - 2011 where she directed Our New Girl, Little Dolls, both by Nancy Harris, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover and The Knowledge by John Donnelly, Further directing credits include: Benefactors as part of the Michael Frayn season at Sheffield Crucible, Knives and Hens at the Ustinov Bath Theatre Royal, The Confederate for the Trafalgar Studios, Men Should Weep for Oxford Stage Company/The Citizens Theatre,The Blood of Others for the Arcola, The Country of The Blind for the Gate Theatre. She is Artistic Director and Founder of award winning company ANGLE Theatre, most recently producing its second season "ANGLE at the Bush" at the Bush.

For tickets, scheduling and further information about TAKING PART, visit www.criterion-theatre.co.uk.

Photo credit: Bill Knight