Rachel O’Riordan and Gary Owen, who created the award winning Iphigenia in Splott, are reunited in Killology, a co-production between the Sherman Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre.
In this latest script Owen tackles the issues of the effects of computer game and internet violence in society alongside the struggles of regret and responsibility of being a father and a son.
His previous work, Iphigenia in Splott, received the UK Theatre Award for Best New Play 2015, the James Tait Black Prize and the Stage Award for Acting Excellence at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2015. It was a finalist in the Wales Theatre Awards 2016 and the show picked up Best Actress English language Award for Sophie Melville’s portrayal of Effie. Sophie is also currently up for an Evening Standard Best Actress Award.
The show’s pre publicity says that the new play is about a controversial new gaming experience that is inspiring a generation. In Killology, players are rewarded for torturing victims, scoring points for “creativity”. It is marketed by its millionaire creator as a deeply moral experience because although players live out your darkest fantasies they do not escape their consequences.
Rachel O’Riordan Artistic Director Sherman Theatre said, “I am delighted to be co-producing this extraordinary new play by Gary Owen with the Royal Court. Last year, both the Royal Court and the Sherman Theatre produced exciting new work by Gary Owen; Violence and Son and Iphigenia in Splott respectively. This year, we unite to present his bold and moving Killology. This is the first co-production between a Welsh producing house and the new writing powerhouse that is the Royal Court, and we are very proud that the Sherman is working with Vicky Featherstone and her team on this play from one of Wales’ finest writers.”
Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director, Royal Court Theatre said, “It is wonderful to have Gary Owen back here too in a co-production with the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff directed by Rachel O’Riordan. I directed Gary’s first and second plays at Paines Plough and am so pleased he is finally getting the recognition he deserves as one of the leading voices of our nation.”
Killology goes on sale on Monday 31 October. It will be at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff 24 March – 8 April, before a four-week run at Royal Court Theatre in London, 25 May – 24 June.
www.shermantheatre.co.uk
Main image: Sophie Melville in Iphigenia