As part of a partnership to promote English companies to a global audience, Manchester International Festival and the Arts Council is to present two UK-premiered plays at New York’s Under The Radar festival at The Public Theatre in January.
seven methods of killing kylie jenner (sic) by Jasmine Lee-Jones and An Evening with an Immigrant by Inua Ellams will run from Jan 12-30. The festival also features artists from across the US and around the world.
The partnership, now in its third year, is part of MIF’s commitment to nurturing the careers of artists as it heads towards the opening of The Factory, Manchester's world-class new arts complex and the festival organisation's new home.
An Evening With an Immigrant tells award-winning poet and playwright Inua Ellams's immigrant story and escape from fundamentalist Islam, finding friendship in Dublin, performing solo at the National Theatre and drinking wine with the Queen – all without a country to belong to or a place to call home.
Originally part of the Royal Court’s 2019 Jerwood New Playwrights programme, Jasmine Lee-Jones’ seven methods of killing kylie jenner (left) explores cultural appropriation, queerness, friendship, and the ownership of black bodies online and IRL.
As well as selecting artists for inclusion in the US programme, MIF will provide additional support to maximise opportunities for showcasing work.
Following performances at Under the Radar, An Evening with an Immigrant will be performed at Oklahoma City Repertory Theater (January 22-23) and Stanford Live (January 29-30). and seven methods of killing kylie jenner will move to Washington DC for a three-week run at Woolly Mammoth Theatre from February 14-March 6.
Under The Radar's festival director Mark Russell said: “The partnership with Manchester International Festival is one of our most dynamic collaborations. The artists working in England have a vitality, diversity, and insight that deserves a wider platform."
John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of MIF said, “We’re delighted to be able to extend our partnership with Public Theater and Arts Council England for another year, continuing to provide a global platform to some of our country’s most talented artists.”