NEW DOWNSTAIRS SHOW ANNOUNCED

Cash Cow by Oli Forsyth will be the next production at Hampstead Downstairs, with Katie Pesskin making her directing debut at the theatre.

HAMPSTEAD DOWNSTAIRS / CELIA ATKIN PRESENT

CASH COW

By Oli Forsyth
Directed by Katie Pesskin

14 June – 20 July

‘Just tennis all day, whenever you want. Not many 13 year olds have that, do they? They’re going to make you so good we won’t recognise you’

Hampstead Theatre presents the world premiere of Oli Forsyth’s breakthrough play Cash Cow. Directed by Kate Pesskin, this gripping new play is a blistering exploration of blind, parental ambition and the consequences of tough love.

Creating a tennis champion costs a lot; it requires time, dedication and, most importantly, cash. Nina and Ade decide early on that their daughter is worth the investment. Imagine the return - prize money, world travel, endorsements and maybe their own tennis academy. Hell-bent on their child becoming Britain’s number 1, the pair are willing to sacrifice just about anything. If you want to reach the top spot in the game of tennis, love means nothing…

Oli Forsyth’s theatre work includes Such Filthy F*cks (Pleasance Edinburgh 2019); Kings and Happy Dave (both New Diorama Theatre); Cornernmen (UK Tour) and Tinderbox (Hen and Chickens Theatre). Oli is also artistic director of new writing company, Smoke & Oakum Theatre.  

Katie Pesskin directs her first production at Hampstead following her associate and assistant directing credits with Jude, I and You, Prism and Uncle Vanya (all Main Stage) and The Strange Death of John Doe (Downstairs). Her directing credits include Pickle Jar (Soho); Ken (Pleasance, Edinburgh Festival Fringe/The Bunker Theatre); NewsRevue 2017 (Pleasance, Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Canal Café Theatre); Sam Bailey: Live in the West End (Lyric); NewsRevue 2016 (Pleasance, Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Canal Café Theatre); British Musical Futures (St James); The New Musical Project (Leicester Square); The Last Five Years (Greenwich Theatre); 35MM: A Musical Exhibition (Greenwich Theatre/Bedlam Theatre, Edinburgh Festival Fringe); Macbeth (Bristol Museum & Art Gallery) and Dinner (Alma Tavern Theatre, Bristol). Theatre work as Associate/Assistant Director also includes Mrs Henderson Presents (Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto); All’s Well That Ends Well and She Stoops to Conquer (both Changeling Theatre); Saucy Jack  and the Space Vixens (King’s Head) and Two Gentlemen of Verona (Changeling Theatre).

Casting to be announced in due course.  

Priority Booking for Cash Cow is now open for Hampstead Patrons and Friends. Public Booking opens Friday 12 April.

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