Highly Strung Productions, in association with Terra Incognita Theatre, presents

A New Way to Pay Old Debts by Philip Massinger at the Rose Theatre, Bankside. The play is directed by Liz Bagley whose previous productions include Death and the Maiden at the Brockley Jack and I’m an Asylum Seeker – Get Me Into Here at the Rosemary Branch. The designer is Aaron Marsden.

Massinger’s comedy, A New Way to Pay Old Debts, written in 1625 at a time of increasing class distinction and capitalist activity, still has the power to speak directly to us. The machinations and ruthless business practices of Sir Giles Overreach will have resonance for a contemporary audience. Have we not all become disgusted with corporate malpractice and city greed? However, satisfaction will be had as Overreach gets his comeuppance. His social climbing and philosophy of ‘I must have all men sellers and I the only purchaser’ are defeated by the united goodwill and wit of those he tries to abuse and defraud.

Philip Massinger was a prolific playwright, although many of his plays have been lost. He followed in the footsteps of Shakespeare and John Fletcher by becoming principal dramatist for the King’s Men in 1625. His plays have been largely overlooked in modern times. However, the fact that the RSC have included Massinger’s The City Madam in their current season suggests a resurgence of interest in his work. The time is ripe for a revival of A New Way to Pay Old Debts! And what better place for it to be performed than in the atmospheric remains of the original Rose Theatre.

Performances:

Tuesday 6th to Sunday 25th September 2011. All performances at 7:30pm

Sunday 11th and 25th at 3:00pm

Monday 19th at 7:30pm

No performance Monday 5th and 12th or Sunday 18th