PRESS RELEASE!!

RedNeedle Productions present ‘Picasso’s Artful Occupation’ at the Barons Court Theatre.

Written by Ian Buckley and directed by Kenneth Michaels, the play is based on an historical event in Paris in September 1940, involving Picasso and the occupying German army.

Buckley’s play takes a look at how a great artist deals with an overweening military power in 1940 Paris.

The German military have summoned Picasso to have his works inventoried. What menace lurks behind this ‘innocent’ request? How much can Picasso trust them? In the vaults of the Bank of Commerce and Industry in Paris a game of cat and mouse plays out.

Commenting on the subject matter, Buckley says:

‘My play shows how vulnerable even the greatest of artists is in the face of philistine military might.’

‘Grasping Nazis think they hold the power - but who really pulls the strings?’

Picasso’s Artful Occupation is at the Barons Court Theatre, 11 March - 30 March, Tuesday - Saturday 7:30pm; Sunday 6:30pm; matinees Saturday 22 & 29 March 2:30 pm.

Tickets are now on general sale: 0208 932 4747

PRESS NIGHT: Tuesday 11 March, 7.30 pm

Notes to Editors: For press enquiries please contact Ian Buckley on ian.buckley@tiscali.co.uk. or 07771 722608

RedNeedle Productions was set up in September 2012 to bring radical and left-wing theatre to theatregoers. Picasso’s Artful Occupation is its second production. The Tailors’ Last Stand was its first.

Facebook: RedNeedle Productions

Ian Buckley is a theatre writer. His writing credits include: The Tailors’ Last Stand (RedNeedle Productions, Barons Court Theatre); Down The River (Theatre Royal, Stratford East); Keeping Faith (Kings Head); Suits & Blouses (The Room, The Orange Tree); First Timers (Dukes Head); Tainted Love (Young Actors Theatre); other work includes: Changing Gear (BBC Radio 4, re-broadcast Hessischer Rundfunk); The Revolutionary (Hessischer Rundfunk). He has been shortlisted for the Verity Bargate Award, The Bruntwood Award (long short-list); the Brockley Jack Write Now Three award. He has received financial support from the Arts Council. For more info go to: www.ianbuckley.info

Kenneth Michaels trained as a director, working for many years in theatres all over the UK. After realizing his passion for directing he studied for an MA in Theatre Arts at Goldsmiths College, London University. He works regularly as a freelance director. His experience includes Shakespeare, Chekhov, Ibsen, new plays, devised work and rehearsed readings. He is a regular director of new plays for Actors and Writers London.

Cleo Harris-Seaton: set designer – www.cleoharrisseaton.com

Cast: Picasso - Gary Heron; Frisch - Roberto Landi; Hebbel - David O’Connor

Listings Information:

Picasso’s Artful Occupation
Written and produced by Ian Buckley
Directed by Kenneth Michaels
11 March – 30 March, Tuesday - Saturday 7:30pm; Sunday 6:30pm; matinees: Saturday 22 & 29 March 2:30 pm
The Barons Court Theatre, ‘The Curtains Up’, 28A Comeragh Rd, London W14 9RH
Press night 7:30pm Tuesday 11 March
Press Tickets: Artistic Director, Ron Phillips (0208 932 4747) who will be pleased to arrange your tickets.

Tickets £12 Concessions £10
Box Office: 0208 932 4747