Match Book & Shooters

Rob and Sarah are typical single 20-somethings, looking for someone to build a life with. Except, on their first date, they find out exactly where this date will lead. In just 15 minutes, Peter Rose’s Match Book asks: if you knew everything a relationship would throw at you, would you take the leap or walk away?

Match Book (directed by Atri Banerjee) will be followed by a script-in-hand reading of Shooters by Tolu Michael Okanlawon: Gordon Parks is an esteemed photographer in late-1940s New York, on the precipice of international renown. Recently employed by LIFE magazine, his first assignment is to gain the trust of a group of teenage gangsters in Harlem, most notably Red Jackson, the leader of the outfit. What follows will question the parameters of art and commerce, the ethics of reporting, as well as the destructive consequences of ambition.

Contains themes of sexual violence, violence, guns and racism.

Peter Rose bio

Peter Rose is a playwright from London. His plays include Snatch (Soho Theatre, London; Soho Rep, New York) and Bloody Ugly (White Bear Theatre, London). He has also had short work performed by Broken Silence at Theatre503, The Proforca Theatre Company and Theatro Mpelios, Athens. Screenplays include Hard Cases for Silver Bullet Productions. Training includes an MA in Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media from the Central School of Speech and Drama.

Atri Banerjee bio

Atri Banerjee is the Artistic Lead at the Gate Theatre. His theatre directing credits include Look Back in Anger (Almeida Theatre), Julius Caesar (RSC) and The Glass Menagerie (Royal Exchange Theatre/UK tour) among many others. In 2019, the director and translator won The Stage Debut Award and was nominated for the UK Theatre Award for Best Director, for his production of Hobson’s Choice at the Royal Exchange Theatre.

Tolu Michael Okanlawon bio

Tolu is a British-Nigerian writer for TV and theatre, hailing from Hackney, East London. He has had a TV comedy optioned by Fudge Park Productions. After earning the ‘Potential for Excellence’ scholarship at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, studying their ‘Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media’ MFA, he has continued to bolster his knack for storytelling in unscripted TV as a producer at Sky Studios, developing premium documentary series and features.