Playwrights Beyond Borders celebrate's London’s multicultural riches through the craft of the playwright.
Showcasing the work of seven playwrights from transcultural backgrounds, the brand new Theatre Royal Stratford East Studio, will transform into an international space in the heart of London’s East End, where theatre, music and community overcome all borders.
BRAINPEOPLE by José Rivera
Once a year, mysterious hostess Mayannah invites two strangers to dine with her. Tonight she sends her armoured limousine out into a ruined city to pick up this year’s strangers and bring them back to her palatial home for an exotic feast. But there is a catch: the guests each stand to take home $20,000 if they can make it through dessert; when the main course is Tiger, this is easier said than done. The night gets more complicated when one of the guests brings along her cadre of "brainpeople" and the meal turns into an evening of brutal honesty and terrifying introspection.
About José Rivera
José Rivera is a recipient of two Obie Awards for playwriting for Marisol and References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot, both produced by The Public Theatre, New York. Rivera’s screenplay “The Motorcycle Diaries” was nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award in 2005. Also nominated for a BAFTA and a Writers Guild Award, “The Motorcycle Diaries,” won top writing awards in Spain and Argentina. His screenplay “On the Road,” premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. His film “Trade” was the first film to premiere at the United Nations. Current television projects include an untitled HBO pilot, co-written with actor Tom Hanks. A member of the LAByrinth Theatre Company and Ensemble Studio Theatre, he leads a writing workshop in New York City, where he lives.
Full Festival Schedule
Monday 22 February - BRAINPEOPLE by Oscar nominated playwright Jose Rivera (Puerto Rican)
Tuesday 23 February - THE LATE WEDDING by Christopher Chen (Chinese-American)
Wednesday 24 February - DIAGRAM OF A PAPER AIRPLANE by Carlos Murillo (Colombian-American)
Thursday 25 February - DREAMS OF HOME by Migdalia Cruz (Puerto Rican)
Friday 26 February - THE BALLAD OF THE LOST DOGS by Christine Evans (Canadian-Australian)
Saturday 27 February - A HUMAN INTEREST STORY (OR THE GORY DETAILS AND ALL) by Carlos Murillo (Colombian-American)
Sunday 28 February - THE NATURE OF CAPTIVITY by Matthew Paul Olmos (Mexican-American.
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