FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – PLEASE INCLUDE IN ALL LISTINGS –
ARTS & NEWS FEATURES / INTERVIEWS & REVIEWS GREATLY WELCOMED

         BLACK ATLAS

A WORLD PREMIERE PLAY CELEBRATING THE HISTORIC
BICENTENNIAL OF THE SIGNING OF THE ACT OF
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY (1807)
& INSPIRED BY GEORGE MACDONALD FRASER'S
BEST SELLING NOVEL 'BLACK AJAX'

TOURS TO 40 VENUES THROUGHOUT THE UK

RANGING FROM THE THEATRE ROYAL BATH TO HULL TRUCK;
FROM THE CAMBRIDGE ARTS THEATRE
TO YORKSHIRE'S FAMED STEPHEN JOSEPH THEATRE
& PERFORMED BY A MIXTURE OF
LEADING PROFESSIONAL PERFORMERS
ALONGSIDE TRAINED (AND NOW NOTED) EX-OFFENDERS

The London Shakespeare Workout (‘LSW’) is proud to present the World Premiere of BLACK ATLAS (based on George Macdonald Fraser's best-selling novel 'Black Ajax' and celebrating the historic Bicentennial of the signing of the Act of Abolition from Slavery - 25.3.1807) throughout the country in venues ranging from the Theatre Royal Bath to the Stephen Joseph Playhouse.

The ninety minute production (inclusive of an interactive talk-back at each performance's conclusion) depicts many historic characters from the Regency period ranging from Tom Molineaux, (a Louisiana slave who eventually became England's first Black prize fighter) to George III; from Pierce Eagan (the forefather of today's sports' writers) to Beau Brummell (who threw men out of britches into trousers).

BLACK ATLAS tells the historic tale of two slaves from differing foreign climes tossed together by fate in Regency Britain: One can read; another cannot. Differences and triumphs are vividly etched in this WORLD PREMIERE theatrical production, additionally featuring an original score by LSW's Musical Director, Tim Williams.

FULL (i) PERFORMANCE DETAILS, (ii) HISTORIC BICENTENNIAL BACKGROUND, (iii) BLACK ATLAS TOUR SCHEDULE AND (iv) PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE BLACK ATLAS WEB PACKAGE IMMEDIATELY BELOW:
http://www.londonshakespeare.org.uk/Othello1/batour2.htm
OR BY CLICKING THE ITEMISED LINKS SPECIFIED AT THIS RELEASE'S END.

LSW works at the highest level. What is impressive is the commitment of the entire company and its rare passion for language.
Michael Billington, The Guardian

BLACK ATLAS is directed by LSW's Executive Director, Dr. Bruce Wall and is performed by a mixture of leading theatrical professionals and trained ex-offenders. Heading the latter category, as they so successfully did in LSW's much hailed 2006 tour of BLACKING IAGO and as featured on BBC2’s The Culture Show, are Fabian Spencer (Tom Molineaux) and Darren Raymond (William Richmond). Now released from prison, both young men have become successful actors, making their West End debuts at The Theatre Royal Haymarket and following rigorous study with, among others, Cicely Berry, Janet Suzman, Mark Rylance and Philip Voss, (LSW Associates all) have recently appeared in presentations with, among others, London's Tricycle Theatre, Theatre Royal Stratford East, the RSC in Stratford Upon Avon and Canada's famed Stratford (Ontario) Festival Company. For full BLACK ATLAS cast biographies click: http://www.lswproductions.co.uk/BATourcast.htm

2007 also marks LSW's 10th Anniversary season. Throughout its history thus far the nationally registered charity, The London Shakespeare Workout (LSW), (founded by Dr. Bruce Wall and Dame Dorothy Tutin in 1997), has interacted with over 9,000 inmates and involved the active participation of over 12,000 professional performers ranging from Juliet Stevenson to Sir Jonathan Miller; from Claire Bloom and Fiona Shaw to Kenneth Branagh and Al Pacino.

For links of specific interest to BLACK ATLAS please click the following as desired:

ON BLACK ATLAS
BLACK ATLAS Performance Venues/Dates/Times
Production & Bicentennial Background Materials

A Review of BLACK ATLAS
A Word with Two BLACK ATLAS Cast Members
A slice from the BLACK ATLAS Production Text

Biographies of BLACK ATLAS cast
Information on Associated Educational Workshops

ON LSW

A Brief Introduction to LSW
Reviews on LSW's Direct Audience Impact
Frontpage of LSW Productions new website

Further details about the BLACK ATLAS production or to arrange for arts/news features/interviews/reviews please touch base with the PRESS CONTACTS:

[PLEASE KNOW THAT GAYLE HUNNICUTT, LADY JENKINS, CHAIR OF LSW'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - AND WHO MANY READERS / VIEWERS / LISTENERS MAY WELL REMEMBER FROM TV'S 'DALLAS' - IS HAPPY TO GIVE INTERVIEWS PERTAINING TO THE BLACK ATLAS TOUR.]

LSW PRESS CONTACTS
Dr. Bruce Wall, 0207 793 9755 - 07916149002, londonswo@hotmail.com
Mr. Nic Choulman, 07746743296, blackatlastour@europe.com

“LSW performs with a power and an intensity that is all too rarely seen on today’s stages ….
We were treated to electrifying performances, up close and personal. …. There can be no question but that this performance made an indelible mark on every one of its audience members.”
Metro