Francis Lovehall, Kedar Williams-Stirling and Emeka Sesay in Red Pitch. Image by Craig Fuller.
The way they’re changing endz is nuts.
Red Pitch. South London. Three lifelong friends Omz, Bilal and Joey are playing football. Like they always have. Living out dreams of football stardom. Beyond their football pitch, local shops are closing, old flats are being demolished as new flats shoot up, some residents struggle to stay while others rush to leave. When a small football pitch has been a home from home, a place you’ve laughed, fought and forged friendships, what happens when it’s under threat?
A coming of age story about what it means to belong to a place. Directed by Bush Theatre Associate Artistic Director Daniel Bailey (The High Table), Tyrell Williams’ fast-paced and sharp-edged new play tells a powerful story about gentrification or regeneration and the impact of this relentless change on London’s communities.
Looking for show information and content guidance?
Red Pitch Pre-Show Information
Daniel Bailey is Associate Director of the Bush Theatre. He was previously Associate Director at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, originally joining The REP as part of the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme and where his work included artist development programmes for writers, theatre-makers and directors. Directing work includes: Blue/Orange, Concubine, Stuff, I Knew You, Abuelo, Jump! We’ll Catch You, Made In India/Britain and Exhale.
He has previously been Resident Director at the National Theatre Studio, Associate Artist at Theatre Stratford Royal East and Resident Assistant Director at The Finborough Theatre. Daniel studied Modern Drama at Brunel University before participating in the Young Vic’s Introduction to Directing.
His previous theatre directing credits include: The High Table (Bush Theatre), Unknown Rivers (Hampstead Theatre), My Darling Wife (Talawa Theatre Company), Pre Judgment Day and Covered (New Heritage Theatre). His film director credits include: On Belonging (Young Vic), Malachi (S.E.D), Floating On Clouds (Kingdom Entertainment Group) and Y.O.L.O. Therapy (S.E.D).
Tyrell Williams was on the BAFTA Elevate scheme 2018 and was previously a Broadcast Hotshot. He co-created, co-wrote and directed the viral web series #HoodDocumentary which has had over 4 million views on Youtube. Following its online acclaim, #HoodDocumentary went on to be commissioned for pilot episodes by BBC Three which Tyrell directed and co-wrote. Tyrell has original television scripts in development with Fudge Park, SLAM Films and Big Deal Films. Red Pitch is his first full-length play and in its early iteration won the Young Harts Writing Festival ‘Audience Favourite’ award when it debuted at The Ovalhouse Theatre in June 2019.
