The house was where they – Petra, Jimmy and Charley – were going to be happy, then Leon broke through the security gates taking their happiness with him. Four years later they have the chance to meet face to face, confronting what’s been hidden for so long behind locked doors.

‘After the Accident’ by Julian Armitstead receives its only London reading at Soho Theatre tonight as one of the finalists of the Protect the Human playwriting competition 2008. The play will be followed by a post show discussion:

‘Humanising human rights: how do you show both sides of the story?’ with the playwright, restorative justice practitioner Steven Hewson and academic Marian Liebmann.

Directed by Tessa Walker
Cast: Amanda Drew, Nicolas Tennant, Toby Wharton
Tickets: £5/£3
Start time: 7pm
To book call 0207 478 0100 or go to www.sohotheatre.com

Soho Theatre
21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE
1 – 3 December 2008
Tickets £5/£3
3 for 2 offer: Book for all 3 readings and get the 3rd one free. To book call the box office on 0207 478 0100 and quote ‘3 for 2′ or go to www.sohotheatre.com

“Compelling theatre making real and relevant the impact of human rights issues on our everyday lives.”

The plays:

1 December at 7pm
There’s Loads of Them in Burnley, Thais
by Anna Clarkson
Directed by Charlotte Gwinner
Mae has never eaten a ready meal, been to TK Maxx or tasted mushy peas and Graham Fairclough has only got six weeks to teach her. But with ex-wife and landlady of The Clog and Rocket, Marie, offering up some home truths he might not even have that long.
“Why the ‘ell else ‘as she come to Burnley? It’s not for t’weather is it? And it’s certainly not for ‘im, ‘e’s no oil paintin’ is ‘e?”

2 December at 7pm
After the Accident
by Julian Armitstead
Directed by Tessa Walker
The house was where they – Petra, Jimmy and Charley – were going to be happy, then Leon broke through the security gates taking their happiness with him. Four years later they have the chance to meet face to face, confronting what’s been hidden for so long behind locked doors.
“It’s not all on your side. I’m saying, you’re not the only ones to have suffered for this. You’re not the only ones.”

3 December at 7pm
Lullaby
by Dominic Leggett
Directed by Ken Christiansen
Beth’s got the house ready for Ray’s return from war. But his arrival brings more than just dirty washing and there are some stains that no amount of scrubbing can remove.
“They keep their cool and look you straight in the eye, then you spot there’s a foot tapping, or a twitch at the side of the mouth – The body betrays them every time.”

Over 125 plays were submitted to the competition which provides a high quality platform for dynamic and imaginative plays that communicate human rights stories of import to us all.

Judged by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dan Jones (Amnesty), Sonja Linden & Sara Masters (iceandfire) and Esther Richardson (Soho Theatre).

www.iceandfire.co.uk | www.amnesty.org.uk

iceandfire is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no.4648400, registered charity 1118200