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Snapdragon Productions in association with Park Theatre presents

The Dead Wait

by Paul Herzberg

"The performances are so true to the moment that, step by step, we follow the journeys each man goes on."

"This post-Apartheid drama is a smart and compelling piece of theatre." 

★ ★ ★ ★  The Telegraph

1989, South Africa, and Josh Gilmore is poised to become the first white athlete to break 10 seconds for the 100m, carrying the hopes of a racist regime. But he's conscripted into a war under the fanatical Papa Louw.

In the rubble of an Angolan village they discover a wounded black freedom fighter. When Papa orders Josh to carry the man back to the border, a remarkable bond is forged. Josh is forced to make a choice: between the humanity he shares with his enemy and the iron will of his commander.

Directed by Joe Harmston, whose recent credits include The Father (Belgrade Coventry) for which he received a 2012 TMA Award Nomination for Best Director ("catch it before they ban it" - The Telegraph), The Prodigals (UK Tour) and Harold Pinter's The Lover and The Collection starring the writer (Donmar Warehouse).

Playwright and actor Paul Herzberg served as a conscript during the time of the Angolan war. The Dead Wait is based, in part, on his experiences and the remarkable events connected to another soldier. It was shortlisted for the Verity Bargate Award; and on its UK premiere at The Royal Exchange received three Manchester Evening News Award nominations including Best Play and Production, winning in the third category for Best Actor.

To learn more about the production, check out the following production trailers: 

Meet the cast...

See the show in rehearsals...

Trailer created by Promotopia Pictures

Photography by Keith Pattison