Royal Court New and Now

Over the past 20 years, the Royal Court’s International Playwrights’ Programme, with the support of the British Council, has encouraged emerging writers in all parts of the world to address subjects that they felt were urgent in their societies.

In more than 70 countries and over 40 languages writers have felt inspired to write provocative new plays that are responding to our changing world and creating unique works for our times. Over six mornings from Tuesday 8 August at the Edinburgh International Festival, an outstanding group of actors and directors brought to life new plays from some of the world’s most exciting writers. Highlights are available to watch below.

Bad Roads is a harrowing and bitterly funny new play about Ukraine at war – seen through the eyes of the women fighting, reporting and enduring the conflict. By Natalya Vorozhbit. Translated by Sasha Dugdale. Directed by Vicky Featherstone. Cast: Jimmy Chisholm, Gershwyn Eustache Jnr, James Harkness, Anne Lacey, Tamara Lawrance, Eileen Walsh, Ria Zmitrowicz. Filmed on Tuesday 8 August 2017.

Fleeing Lebanon in the hope of building a new life in Europe, Ghalia makes an extraordinary journey through the Middle East. By Maya Zbib. Translated by Katharine Halls. Directed by Lucy Morrison. Cast: Nadia Albina, Ishia Bennison, Aysha Kala, Danusia Samal, Hara Yannas, Kareem Samara (oud player). Recorded on Wednesday 9 August 2017.

This story of a quiet alleyway in Havana explores Cuba poised on the cusp of opening up to the world. By Laura Liz Gil Echenique. Translated by William Gregory. Directed by John Tiffany. Cast: Ronke Adekoluejo, Jimmy Chisholm, Ivanno Jeremiah .Anne Lacey, Robin Lang, Amaka Okafor. Recorded on Thursday 10 August.

This subtle and witty play tackles the breathtaking economic transformation of China, the dreams it enables and those it crushes. Written and translated by Zhu Yi. Directed by Sam Pritchard. Cast: Paul Courtenay Hyu, Wendy Kweh, Sarah Lam, Kwong Loke, Colin Ryan. Recorded on Friday 11 August.

A woman returns to a hometown she no longer recognises in this haunting new play by Dalia Taha. Directed by Lucy Morrison. Cast: Nadia Albina, Ishia Bennison, Aysha Kala, Danusia Samal, Nima Taleghani, Hara Yannas, Sargon Yelda. Recorded on Saturday 12 August.

Guillermo Calderón returns to the subject of Chilean president Michelle Bachelet in a new version of this extraordinary monologue. Written and directed by Guillermo Calderón. Translated by William Gregory. Performed by Kika Markham. Recorded on Sunday 13 August.

Following Bad Roads on Tuesday 8 August, there was a discussion with all the writers from the series, hosted by Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director of the Royal Court. Lola Arias, director of MINEFIELD, also joined the discussion.