The Spoils is the razor-sharp new comedy written by and starring international film-star Jesse Eisenberg. The Spoils will run at Trafalgar Studios from 27 May until 13 August 2016.
A cuttingly satirical glimpse of a lost soul searching to assent the reality of his situation. Perceptively disconcerting,The Spoils speaks to the exasperated, self-analysing millennial generation. A painfully awkward comedy, not to be missed!
Eisenberg’s third play, The Spoils originally ran Off-Broadway, to critical acclaim, in 2015 at The Pershing Square Signature Center from 5 May to 28 June. This play cements his reputation as a talented playwright whose tragicomic work explores questions of American privilege and the nature of family and relationships. The production is directed by The New Group’s Artistic Director, Scott Elliott, and stars Jesse as Ben, alongside his original co-star, Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) as Kalyan. Further casting to be announced in due course.
Nobody likes Ben. Ben doesn’t even like Ben. He bullies everyone in his life, including his room mate Kalyan, an earnest Nepalese immigrant. When Ben discovers that his school crush is marrying a straight-laced banker, he sets out to destroy their relationship and win her back.
BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Award nominated Jesse Eisenberg, making his West End debut, is renowned for playing Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network. He also starred in To Rome with Love, directed by Woody Allen and is currently appearing in the blockbuster film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. In 2013, Eisenberg wrote and starred alongside Vanessa Redgrave in his play The Revisionist (Off-Broadway). London born Kunal Nayyar is known to audiences across the globe from The Big Bang Theory. His theatre credits include the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Love͛s Labour͛s Lost.
Jesse Eisenberg said “The Spoils explores issues as disparate as stunted sexuality and the politics of the deposed Nepalese Monarchy, NFL on Fox and the fluctuating prices of tea on the agrarian market. It’s about how all of these seemingly unrelated things intersect to create a portrait of life in a complicated, heterogeneous society. I’m thrilled to perform this play in London, such an incredible centre for theatre.”
This London premiere follows its New York debut hailed as ‘A Triumph’ (New York Post) and described by The New York Times as͚ ‘Engrossingly acted and impeccably staged’. Critic’s Choice – The New York Times & Time Out (New York).
The Spoils is presented by Ambassador Theatre Group and Lisa Matlin.
