Birmingham Rep's Timely Revival is Right on the Money
As the world financial markets crumble, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre is set to present a major new revival of Serious Money, Caryl Churchill's prescient satirical play about Eighties City greed, in May 2009.
One of the iconic plays of the Twentieth Century, Serious Money, takes a wry look at the ruthless world of corporate finance. Premiered in 1987, as the financial world came tumbling down, the play was written by Churchill following research at the London Stock Exchange. Full of satire and humour, Churchill’s play conveys the hectic excitement of financial - and moral - risk, bringing to life the swaggering, foul-mouthed Yuppies of the 80s.
The play comes at a time when Britain’s financial crisis continues to dominate the headlines. For REP Artistic Director Rachel Kavanaugh, the play has just as much to say second time around:
“It’s over two decades since Serious Money debuted on the British stage, but its subject matter is just as relevant now as it was then. The play exposes the reckless gambling within the financial industry and it shows how little changes.
"I saw the play while working as an usher during the first run at Wyndham’s Theatre in the late 80s. It’s so evocative of the loadsamoney era and it shows how the greed of the markets can also tip over into moral corruption."
A major force in British theatre, Caryl Churchill is one of the greatest and most celebrated playwrights of her generation. Her plays include Cloud Nine, Top Girls and A Number, which fast became one of the 21st century’s most acclaimed plays.
Serious Money will be directed by Jonathan Munby and will feature songs from the original production by Ian Drury. Casting will be confirmed in due course.
Serious Money is at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from Fri 8 – Sat 23 May 2009
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