London’s Hampstead Theatre presents a moving, vibrant new play about immigration and family loyalties. Written by Nicola Werenowska and directed by Sam Potter, the Polish-U.K. production touches on remnants of a seemingly forgotten past that remain alive in the present
"If you want to survive you can’t fill your head with the past" the audience hears in Tu I Teraz / Here and Now. "Truths and untruths, it’s dangerous, all of it. You leave all that. You look forwards."
Marysia moved to England long ago. As far as she is concerned, she has started a new life here with her teenage son, Kuba. But when her sister Anna arrives unexpectedly from Poland, Marysia is forced to think again about her choices. Should you leave your past behind and start over, or is where you come from the most important thing about you? And has Marysia really left everything behind, or is she hiding a secret?
Here and Now is written by Nicola Werenowska and directed by Sam Potter, with set design by Kerry Bradley, lighting by Matt O’Leary and sound by Steve Mayo. The cast is Ania Sowinski (Marysia), Anna Elijasz (Ana) and George Lasha (Janusz).
Nicola Werenowska’s credits include Davy’s Day and Aftermath (both produced at Mercury Theatre), Peapeakers (Eastern Angles), Not So Dead End (Menagerie/BBC) and Camlodonum as part of Come to Where I’m From (Paines Plough).
Reuniting with Werenowska is Sam Potter (Out of Joint) whose directing credits include A Sexual Congress (NT Platform), Heroes (NT Education Tour), Snowbound (Trafalgar Studios) and Cosi Fan Tutte (Glyndebourne Festival and on tour), with associate directing credits that include Coriolanus (RSC) and Cyrano de Bergerac (National Theatre).
On the 7th of January, Barbara Storey from the Polish charity SOSPolonia will join the cast and company of Tu I Teraz / Here and Now to host a special performance to raise money for the production and celebrate Polish culture in the U.K.
The performance is presented by Little Grey Cells in association with Mercury Theatre Colchester.
Tu I Teraz / Here and Now is in production from the 18th of December 2012 to the 19th of January 2013
Monday - Saturday: 7:45 p.m.
Saturday Matinee: 3:30 p.m.
Hampstead Theatre Downstairs
Hampstead Theatre
Eton Avenue
London NW3 3EU
Editor: SRS
Source: www.polishculture.org.uk, press release, www.hampsteadtheatre.com