The Bush Theatre presents The World Premiere of Damages By Steve Thompson , Directed by Roxana Silbert The Bush Theatre - 2 June through 3 July 2004 Is what interests the public necessarily 'in the public interest?

The Bush Theatre, now celebrating 32 years of excellence in new writing, presents the World Premiere of Steve Thompsons Damages -- a play of hungry hacks, suicidal sub-editors, sharp lawyers and moral mazes. Damages was commissioned by The Bush Theatre with the support of The Peggy Ramsay Foundation Award 2002 and is to be directed by Roxana Silbert.

(PRWEB) April 7, 2004 -- Deep in the bowels of a tabloid newspaper office, the clock continues ticking with only one hour left before the presses have to roll...

Then, just before deadline, a controversial photo of a topless childrens TV presenter mysteriously arrives - questions have to be asked. Who sent it? Why? What are the legal implications? Will it sell more papers? Is this sensational photo really all it seems? Publishing the photo poses a moral conundrum, dragging out into the open deceit, lies and a darker secret that must not be revealed at any cost.

Time is running out, and decisions have to be made. Is this front page scoop a career maker and breaker, or a crushing libel settlement in disguise? Should they play it safe and find out more information or publish and be damned?

The clock has almost stopped ticking, and its time for the ink to hit the paper, and the shit to hit the fan...

His first professionally produced play, Steve Thompsons witty and contemporary (im)morality tale of desperate power is truly a play for our time. It looks at the necessity for national papers to increase circulation at whatever cost, while viewing their actions through the eyes of a libel lawyer. It also begs the question of whether a celebrity is entitled to privacy or are they fair game for feeding time at the tabloid zoo?

Mike Bradwell, Artistic Director of The Bush Theatre believes that Damages is a perfect commission for The Bush Theatre Two years ago Steve Thompson wrote a play called New Position. He didn't intend to show it to anybody, but a friend stole it and sent it to Terry Johnson who sent it on to us at The Bush Theatre. The play was about the advertising industry....except all the advertising copy was written in iambic pentameter and all the emails were written in sonnet form. So we called Steve and asked him to come in, and encouraged him. Suitably encouraged Steve wrote Damages. We thought it was provocative and pertinent and very, very funny....so we decided to put it on. That's pretty much the whole story -- up to now".

Fiona Clark, Executive Producer at The Bush Theatre, also believes that Damages is valuable. The play makes an important contribution to the broad cannon of work The Bush is able to produce. New writing is always an adventure, but Damages has a quality that makes it mature and sophisticated while still being an amazing and exciting new discovery. I like the fact that 'a Bush play' isn't 'typecast' - it is as much a Damages as an adrenalin...heart. It's slick, sophisticated and gives us a really strong female protagonist - in less deft hands this could easily be reeking of testosterone and be totally undistinguishable from any number of other plays in the West End."

** Casting is currently happening and will be announced shortly **

For interviews, appearances, press pack (biographies & other editorial information), press tickets and photots / images (by e-mail or post) please contact Paul Savident on 020 8567 2089, fax 0870 051 6418, e-mail paul@savident.com or view www.savident.com.

Listings Information
Box Office: 020 7610 4224 (no booking fee)

On-line Bookings: www.bushtheatre.co.uk (24hr and up to 4pm on day of performance)

Performance Times: Monday to Saturday at 8pm except Press Night 4 June 7pm

Theatre: The Bush Theatre, Shepherds Bush, London, W12 8QD

Ticket Prices: Previews 2 & 3 June - 11 (8 concessions)
       Performances from 4 June - 13.50 (9 concessions)
Bush Push Nights (8 & 9 June) - Students 6
Group discounts available -- call box office for details.

Transportation:
Nearest Tube - Shepherds Bush (Central Line) or
Goldhawk Road (Hammersmith & City Line)
Bus - 49, 72, 94, 95, 207, 220, 237, 260, 283, 295, 607 (Mobility Bus routes italicised)

Title: Damages
Written by: Steve Thompson
Directed by: Roxana Silbert
Design: Liz Cooke
Lighting by: Tanya Burns
Sound by: To be confirmed
Produced by: The Bush Theatre,
      Artistic Director -- Mike Bradwell, Executive Producer -- Fiona Clark
Venue: The Bush Theatre, Shepherds Bush, London, W12 8QD
Box Office: 020 7610 4224 or on-line at www.bushtheatre.co.uk
Performances Dates: 2 June through 3 July 2004 at 8pm*
Press Night: 4 June 2004 at 7pm*
Press Photocall: 3 June 2004, Time to be confirmed -- all press photographers welcome but if possible respond to Paul Savident on 020 8567 2089 or paul@savident.com to confirm attendance.

The Bush Theatre -- Other Productions

M.A.D.
Prior to Damages The Bush Theatre is presenting David Eldridges M.A.D. directed by Hettie Macdonald (21 April -- 22 May) -- At the height of the cold war M.A.D. stood for Mutually Assured Destruction. For 11-year-old John it meant Mum and Dad.

The Glee Club
The Bush Theatres acclaimed production of Richard Camerons The Glee Club will be co-presented at The Octagon Theatre, Bolton from 10 June through 3 July and will then tour nationally this Autumn -- The Glee Club tells of comradeship, honesty and tense emotions between the members of an all-male singing group made up of five hard working, hard drinking miners and a church organist, as they prepare for the local gala.

For further Press Information contact Paul Savident on 020 8567 2089 or e-mail paul@savident.com.