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Jez Butterworth returns to the Royal Court with his new play THE FERRYMAN directed by Sam Mendes

Monday, 31 October 2016

Developed by and co-produced with Sonia Friedman Productions and in association with Neal Street Productions, it will premiere in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Monday 24 April 2017 – Saturday 20 May 2017.


“Vanishing. It’s a powerful word, that. A powerful word.”


Rural Derry, 1981. The Carney farmhouse is a hive of activity with preparations for the annual harvest.  A day of hard work on the land and a traditional night of feasting and celebrations lie ahead. But this year they will be interrupted by a visitor.


“This family can take care of its own.”


Jez Butterworth returns to the Royal Court Theatre after The River and the multi-award winning Jerusalem with his new play The Ferryman. Directed by Sam Mendes and designed by Rob Howell. The Ferryman is developed by and co-produced with Sonia Friedman Productions. It will open in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Monday 24 April 2017 and run until Saturday 20 May 2016. With press night on Wednesday 3 May 2016, 7pm.


Jez Butterworth (Writer)

For the Royal Court: The River, Jerusalem, The Winterling, The Night Heron, Mojo.


Other theatre includes: Parlour Song, (Atlantic Theater, NY, Almeida Theatre).


Film includes: Fair Game, Edge of Tomorrow, Black Mass, Spectre.

Awards include: Olivier Award for Best Comedy (Mojo), Paul Selvin Award (Fair Game), The E.M Forster Award, New York Critic’s Circle Award for Best Foreign Play (Jerusalem)


Sam Mendes (Director)

Theatre includes:  Uncle Vanya, Twelfth Night, To The Green Fields Beyond, The Blue Room, Habeas Corpus, Company, The Glass Menagerie, Glengarry Glen Ross, Translations, Cabaret, Assassins (Donmar). Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Oliver!, Kean, London Assurance (West End); Richard III, As You Like It, The Tempest, The Cherry Orchard, The Winter’s Tale (Bridge Project/BAM/Old Vic/Neal Street); The Vertical Hour, Gypsy, The Blue Room, Cabaret (Broadway); King Lear, Othello, The Rise & Fall of Little Voice, The Birthday Party, The Sea (National); The Alchemist, The Tempest, Richard III, Troilus & Cressida (RSC).


Film includes: Spectre, Skyfall, Away We Go, Revolutionary Road, Jarhead, Road to Perdition, American Beauty.


Awards include: Academy Award for Best Director, Golden Globe Award for Best Director, Directors Guild of America Award for Best Director (American Beauty); BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film (Skyfall); Golden Globe Award for Best Director (Revolutionary Road); Olivier Award for Best Director (The Glass Menagerie); Olivier Award for Best Director (Company); Olivier Award for Best Director (Uncle Vanya/Twelfth Night); Tony Award  (Cabaret); The Hamburg Shakespeare Prize, BAFTA John Schlesinger Award.


Sam was the founder and first Artistic Director of the Minerva Theatre, Chichester and of the Donmar Warehouse, and the founder of Neal Street Productions. He was awarded the Directors’ Guild Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

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