Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

New play about Ai Weiwei's imprisonment takes centre stage at Hampstead Theatre

 

Daisy Wyatt
Monday 18 February 2013 13:08 GMT
Comments
Imprisoned artist Ai Weiwei
Imprisoned artist Ai Weiwei (Matthew Niederhauser)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Hampstead Theatre will stage a new play about the arrest of Ai Weiwei this spring.

#aiww: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei is based on Barnaby Martin's recent conversations with the exiled Chinese artist about his imprisonment.

Directed by James Macdonald and written by Howard Brenton, the play promises to be “surreal, hilarious and terrifying. A portrait of the Artist in extreme conditions, it is also an affirmation of the centrality of Art and of freedom of speech in civilised society.”

Also showing this season is a UK premiere of Race by American playwright and Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet.

Directed by Olivier award winner Terry Johnson, the play focuses on a crime scene where the accused in white and the accuser is black. Two lawyers, one black and one white, work to uncover the facts of the case.

#aiww: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei runs from 11 April to 19 May. Race runs from 23 May to 29 June.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in