Shakespeare’s ‘sequel’ – The Serpent’s Tooth

Babou Ceesay (Abina) and Alexander Campbell (Warden) in The Serpent's Tooth. Photographer: Sheila Burnett

The Serpent’s Tooth, running at Shoreditch Town Hall, is a compelling and dark new work by the prolific playwright David Watson.

Billed as a ‘potent finale’ to Shakespeare’s King Lear, it will be the first production by the Talawa theatre company since forming a partnership with the Almeida in Islington.

Any playwright who attempts to contribute to the works of Shakespeare would be considered brave, but Watson, the former playwright-in-residence at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith, seems to have the profile to carry it off.

Talawa’s artistic director Michael Buffong says: “David Watson has taken the spirit, beauty and power found in King Lear and created something fantastic.

“When we met, it was clear he had immense ideas. The themes of the play are very dark, but it has been a rewarding challenge to put on the production.”

Buffong is no stranger to flexibility, having directed an impressive assortment of theatre and television ranging from a stage version of To Kill a Mockingbird to episodes of Eastenders and Holby City.

With a keen eye for theatre production, Buffong is excited by Talawa’s partnership with the Almeida theatre.

He says: “The Almeida adopts an approach that is similar to ours and it is working well. It simply made sense to collaborate. I think both sides saw it as a fantastic opportunity.”

As one of the UK’s foremost black-led theatre companies, Talawa’s determination to invest in talent, build audiences and inspire dialogue with and within communities across Britain is as strong today as when the company formed 26 years ago.

Buffong notes: “Talawa has shown a remarkable sense of ambition, power and leadership throughout its history.

“The company has moved from working with minority communities to take on wider ambitions and impact on as many people as possible. It certainly has the potential to inspire and influence people.”

Performed in the atmospheric depths of Shoreditch Town Hall’s basement tunnel, The Serpent’s Tooth promises to be a dark, violent and exhilarating affair.

The Serpent’s Tooth
7-17 November 2012
Shoreditch Town Hall
380 Old Street
EC1V 9LT

020 7359 4404