Blue/Orange

a new play by Joe Penhall (2000)

In a London mental hospital, an enigmatic patient claims to be the son of an exiled African dictator. As the drama unfolds, his story becomes unnervingly plausible.

Joe Penhall's first play for the National is an incendiary tale about race, madness and a Darwinian power struggle at the heart of a dying NHS.

**Blue/Orange won the Olivier Award for Best Play, the Critics' Circle award for Best Play and the Evening Standard award award for Best Play**

His previous work includes Some Voices and Pale Horse (both Royal Court), Love and Understanding (Bush) and The Bullet.

Director Roger Michell's last production at the National was The Homecoming. His other work includes the film Notting Hill, My Night with Reg (Royal Court and West End), The Buddha of Suburbia and Persuasion (both BBC).

Bill Nighy's work for the National includes Skylight, The Seagull and Arcadia.

Chewitel Ejiofor plays Romeo in Romeo and Juliet

Running Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

There is an Education Workpack for this production.

Photo of Chiwetel Ejiofor by Ivan Kyncl

Blue/Orange finished on: 23 August 2000