The world premiere of award-winning playwright Ken Urban’s Sense of an Ending, directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, marks the 21st anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. This compelling political thriller asks if forgiveness is possible in a situation where truth is never simple.
Charles, a New York Times journalist, arrives in Rwanda for an exclusive interview with two Hutu nuns. Charged with war crimes during the 1994 genocide, the nuns must convince the world of their innocence or face a lifetime in prison. When an unknown survivor contradicts their story, Charles must choose which version of the truth to believe.
Urban’s Sense of an Ending shines a light on journalistic truth and morality amid the atrocity of the Rwandan genocide. This is the first of Urban’s plays to be presented in Europe; the script won the Best New Play award at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Producer, Jessica Campbell comments, Ken’s compelling script explores so many questions: how can a journalist balance his loyalty to the people he meets and his duty to report the truth? How can a nation ever heal after such devastating loss of life? We’re excited – if somewhat daunted – to be exploring these questions in this world premiere. With an all-black cast, this shockingly powerful piece of writing, based on a true story, is a must-see at Theatre503.
Urban is a playwright and screenwriter based in New York whose awards include the Weissberger Playwriting Award, Huntington Playwriting Fellowship, Djerassi Artist Residency, Dramatist Guild Fellowship, MacDowell Colony Fellowships, and SPF/Donmar Warehouse Residency.
Sense of an Ending
Tuesday 12th May – Saturday 6th June 2015
Tuesday to Saturday, 7.45pm Sunday, 5pm Running time 100 minutes including an interval
Twitter @DEMproduction5, @theatre503,
#SOAEplay
Writer Ken Urban Director Jonathan O’Boyle
Designer Celia Carey
Sound Designer Max Perryment
Lighting Designer Joshua Pharo
Producers Jessica Campbell and Ramin Sabi
Ages 12+
Post show talks
Thursday 21st May, Judging Genocide in Rwanda – a talk from Dr Phil Clark, Professor of International Politics at SOAS
Thursday 28th May, Reporting on Rwanda – a talk from Sunday Times investigative journalist and award-winning writer Linda Malvern
Pre-show talks
Saturday 23rd May, Measuring success by what doesn’t happen: could the Rwandan genocide have been prevented? hosted by Dr Payam Akhavan
Theatre503, The Latchmere, 503 Battersea Park Road, London SW11 3BW,
Box Office Tickets are available priced £15 (£12 concessions) Pay What You Can Sundays Available from Theatre503 Box Office and https://theatre503.com/, 020 7978 7040.
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