Nicolas Kent at the Tricycle Theatre (1984–2012)
During his 28-year tenure as Artistic Director, Nicolas Kent transformed the Tricycle Theatre into one of London’s most politically engaged and culturally diverse venues.
Championing Black and Asian Theatre
The Tricycle specialised in pioneering work by Black and Asian playwrights, presenting numerous UK and world premieres, including works by:
- James Baldwin
- Mustapha Matura
- Alfred Fagon
- August Wilson (6 plays)
- Derek Walcott
- Bola Agbaje
- Lynn Nottage
- Abram Hill
- Roy Williams
- Alice Childress
- Amit Gupta
- Neil De Souza
- Trevor Rhone
- Tunde Ikoli
- Ray Shell
- Yemi Ajibade
- Steve Carter
- Winsome Pinnock
- Dolly Dhingra
- Kwame Kwei-Armah
It also staged many productions from South Africa’s Market Theatre during apartheid.
Championing Irish Writing
Kent was also a strong supporter of Irish playwrights, producing work by:
- Sebastian Barry
- Carlo Gébler
- Seamus Heaney
- Frank McGuinness
- Bill Morrison
- Christina Reid
- Bill Roche
Political Verbatim Theatre
The Tricycle became internationally renowned for its groundbreaking Tricycle Tribunal Plays, a series of political verbatim productions exploring key socio-political issues of the day. A collected edition is published by Bloomsbury.
West End Transfers
Several productions transferred to the West End, including:
- Amen Corner by James Baldwin
- Kat & the Kings by Kramer & Petersen
- Ain’t Misbehavin’ by Horwitz & Maltby Jr.
- Guantanamo by Brittain & Slovo
- The Colour of Justice by Norton-Taylor
- Stones in His Pockets by Marie Jones
- The Price and Broken Glass by Arthur Miller
- The 39 Steps adapted by Patrick Barlow
Chronological Directing Credits at the Tricycle Theatre
2012
The Bomb: First Blast – Proliferation (1940–1992)
The Bomb: Second Blast – Present Dangers (1992–2012)
Duology of ten short plays by Lee Blessing, Ryan Craig, John Donnelly, David Greig, Amit Gupta, Zinnie Harris, Ron Hutchinson, Colin Teevan, and Diana Son – World premiere
2011
The Riots by Gillian Slovo – World premiere, Time Out Award
A Walk in the Woods by Lee Blessing
Tactical Questioning – The Baha Mousa Inquiry by Richard Norton-Taylor – World premiere
2010
Greta Garbo Came to Donegal by Frank McGuinness
2009
The Great Game: Afghanistan – World premiere, Olivier nomination
12 short plays by Bean, Blessing, Edgar, Greig, Gupta, Harris, Hutchinson, Teevan, Morgan, Ockrent, Rogers, Stephens, Wilkinson
2008
Doubt by John Patrick Shanley – British premiere
2007
Called to Account by Richard Norton-Taylor – World premiere
The War Next Door by Tamsin Oglesby – World premiere
2006
How Long is Never – Darfur – World premiere
Tricycle Bloomberg Writers Group + Gebler, Nottage
2005
Talk Hard – Walk Loud by Abram Hill – British premiere
Bloody Sunday by Norton-Taylor – World premiere, Olivier Award
2004
Guantanamo: Honour Bound to Defend Freedom by Brittain & Slovo – World premiere, Olivier nominee
2003
Justifying War: Scenes from the Hutton Inquiry by Norton-Taylor – World premiere
2002
Ten Rounds by Carlo Gébler – World premiere
The Promise by Alexei Arbuzov, translated by Nick Dear
2000
Wine in the Wilderness by Alice Childress – British premiere
Dreyfus by Jean-Claude Grumberg, translated by Jack Rosenthal
1999
The Colour of Justice – Stephen Lawrence Inquiry by Norton-Taylor – World premiere
1998
Dance of Death Parts 1 & 2 by August Strindberg, adapted by Carlo Gébler – World premiere
1997
The Mai by Marina Carr – British premiere
1996
Srebrenica by Nicolas Kent – World premiere
Nuremberg by Norton-Taylor – World premiere
Ex-YU by Stefanovski, Haiti by Keith Reddin, Reel Rwanda by Femi Osofisan
1995
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Victor and the Ladies by Jenny Macleod – World premiere
1994
Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Horwitz & Maltby Jr.
Half the Picture: The Scott Arms Inquiry by Norton-Taylor – World premiere
1993
A Love Song for Trilogy by Bill Morrison – World premiere
1992
Una Pooka by Michael Harding – World premiere
Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress – British premiere
1991
Once a Catholic by Mary O’Malley
A Free Country by Jean-Claude Grumberg – British premiere
A Long Way from Home by Yemi Ajibade – World premiere
1990
Factory Girls by Frank McGuinness
1989
All or Nothing at All – World premiere
1986
The Hostage by Brendan Behan
1985
Lonely Cowboy by Alfred Fagon – World premiere
Great White Hope by Howard Sackler – British premiere
1984
One O’Clock World by Leigh Jackson – World premiere