Topdog/Underdog Media Release

THE SCOTTISH PREMIERE OF THE PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING PLAY

This autumn, the Citizens Theatre presents the Scottish premiere of Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer prize-winning play about two African-American brothers’ struggle to survive.

Set in a shabby apartment, off the mean streets of Brooklyn, Parks’ play, uses wit and raw dialogue to tell the story of two fiercely competitive siblings, embroiled in con artistry of three card monte. 

“There’s more to me than some cheap hustle”

Lincoln, an ex-card shark is attempting to go straight, working a demoralising, but nonetheless honest job impersonating Abraham Lincoln. Whilst his brother Booth, a petty thief (named by his parents for a joke after Abraham Lincoln’s assassin) dreams of becoming the slick conman his brother used to be.

Suzan-Lori Parks became the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in 2002, for Topdog/Underdog. It was first produced in New York starring Jeffrey Wright and Don Cheadle. It went on to have an extensive run on Broadway featuring Mos Def (who replaced Cheadle), and later transferred to London.

This production is directed by Leann O’Kasi, the first graduate of a new Citizens Trainee Director scheme, funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Experienced British actors, Nicholas Pinnock and Tyronne Lewis play the brothers, both performing at the Citizens Theatre for the first time. Nicholas was last seen in Glasgow in David Greig’s San Diego at The Tron (2004).

This show is part of the Black History Month programme of events held throughout October in Glasgow.

A Citizens Theatre Company production of Othello is running concurrently on the Main Stage. 

ENDS

For more details, images or to arrange an interview contact:
Cat McNaught: 0141 418 6233 / cat@citz.co.uk

OR speak to my colleagues in marketing – Alison Martin 0141 418 6235 / alison@citz.co.uk or Helen Black 0141 418 6272 / helen.black@tag-theatre.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

LISTINGS
DATES: 20 October – 7 November 2009, 7.30pm
PREVIEWS: 20-21 October.
PRICES: All tickets £12 (concessions available), Previews £4, Tuesdays £7.
BOX OFFICE: 0141 429 0022 www.citz.co.uk

Contains strong language and adult content. Recommended for 14+


TRAINEE DIRECTOR
From September 2008 – August 2009, Leann O’Kasi was the first Trainee Director of a new scheme generously supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.


CAST
TYRONNE LEWIS - BOOTH
NICHOLAS PINNOCK - LINCOLN


PRODUCTION TEAM
DIRECTOR - LEANN O’KASI
DESIGNER - NEIL HAYNES
LIGHTING DESIGNER - SIMON WILKINSON

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