Casting is announced today for the premiere of Red Bud, the new play by Chicago playwright Brett Neveu, which opens in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court on 25 Oct (previews from 21 Oct).

A new American drama about the creeping spread of middle age, the cast includes Isabel Ellison, Roger Evans, Peter McDonald, Lisa Palfrey, Hywel Simons and Trevor White.
 
'Me, Greg and Shane and Jason have been comin' to this race since high school, no tents or anything back then. We'd just sleep in our clothes on blankets on the ground. Look up at the stars. Get high. Get drunk. Get wild.'
 
'Red Buuuud!' rings out across the camp as five friends gather in ritual homage at the annual Motorcross championship. Greg used to ride with speed and style, but this year he brings his pregnant wife instead of his bike. Times have changed. As they relive past glories, the haze of beer and smoke can?t disguise their fading friendship.
 
Brett Neveu's credits in the UK include Eric LaRue at the RSC as part of their New Work Festival in 2005. His recent productions include Old Glory at the Writers' Theatre, Chicago, American Dead at Rouge Machine, LA, and Gas for Less with The Goodman Theatre, Chicago.  

Director Jo McInnes has worked extensively in theatre, television and film as an actor. Her directorial credits include The Verdict in 2007 on BBC1 and the world premiere of Marine Parade by Simon Stephens at the Brighton Festival.
 
Isabel Ellison makes her professional stage debut as 19 year old Jana, Roger Evans play Shane. His theatre credits include The Fever for High Tide, Fast Labour at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and on film he appeared in the Bafta Cymru winning A Bit of Tom Jones, Atonement, All or Nothing and Human Traffic.
 
Peter McDonald plays Greg. His credits include The Caretaker at Liverpool Everyman, Dancing at Lughnasa at the Old Vic and Nocturne at the Almeida. Lisa Palfrey returns to the Royal Court after appearing in Ingredient X earlier this year. Her other credits include Small Change at the Sherman, Festen at the Almeida and the West End, Under the Blue Sky at the Royal Court and The Iceman Cometh at the Almeida.
 
Hywel Simons plays Jason. His credits include The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie at Northampton and Enigma and Shakespeare in Love on film. Trevor White plays Bill. His credits include Macbeth at Regents Park Open Air, Enron at Chichester, the Royal Court and the West End, Aunt Dan and Lemon at the Royal Court. On film, he has appeared in The Whisteblower, The Dark Knight and Die Another Day.
 
Red Bud will be directed by Jo McInnes, designed by Tom Hadley with lighting by Jon Clark and sound by Fergus O'Hare.
 
Red Bud will run in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs from 21 Oct until 13 Nov 2010. Tickets available online at www.royalcourttheatre.com or from the Box Office on 020 7565 5000.

Red Bud
By Brett Neveu
Directed by Jo McInnes
21 Oct - 13 Nov 2010
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Press Night, Mon 25 Oct 2010 7pm
 

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