Award-winning director and producer Paul Taylor-Mills will step back into the role of artistic director next month when he will take charge of a new theatre on the banks of the River Thames.
Joining forces with another leading producer, Bill Kenwright, Taylor-Mills will open the inaugural season of the Turbine Theatre next month with a new revival of Harvey Fierstein’s classic Torch Song directed by Olivier Award-winning director and choreographer Drew McOnie (In The Heights, Strictly Ballroom).
The intimate theatre space under the Grosvenor Bridge railway arches at Circus West Village will be the first chapter in the regeneration of the iconic Battersea Power Station.
Announcing details of his latest project, the former artistic director of The Other Palace, said: “I’m elated to be launching a brand new theatre at the iconic Battersea Power Station. The vision is a simple one, to enable world class artists to tell stories that enchant at the Turbine Theatre and eventually play beyond our London home. We’re interested in being the starting point for new shows and also reimagining the older ones.
“It has been a lifetime dream of mine to have a home for my ideas that feels authentically ‘me’. Over the last year I’ve had the most precious time curating a venue and programme that reflects my tastes and I’m really excited about welcoming those that have followed my work over the last couple of years. I’ve been blessed with the most wonderful partners in Bill Kenwright and Hilary and Stuart Williams, without whom none of this would have been possible.”
Running from 22 August until 13 October 2019, McOnie’s version of Fierstein’s ground-breaking Tony Award-winning play will star Daisy Boulton (Yonderland, Shakespeare In Love), Dino Fetscher (Humans, Cucumber), Matthew Needham (Chernobyl, Summer & Smoke) and Rish Shah (Years and Years, Prank Me). Further casting will be announced at a later date.
The production will be designed by Ryan Laight, with lighting by James Whiteside, sound by Seb Frost and casting by Will Burton.
Commenting on behalf of the Battersea Power Station Development Company, director of placemaking Honor Fishburn said: “We are extremely excited to work with Paul Taylor-Mills on the Turbine Theatre to enhance the arts and culture offering already available at Circus West Village.
“Paul will build upon the success of The Village Hall, which will continue to be used as an extraordinary venue for generating new ideas and talent, while widening access to creative spaces for local residents. Establishing a new cultural district for London that will generate a sense of community has always been a key focus for our shareholders in the regeneration of Battersea Power Station and will continue to be a very important pillar as the neighbourhood grows.”
Angela Thomas
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