Bush Theatre announces new shows in 2025 season

Work by Coral Wylie, babirye bukilwa, and Mohamed-Zain Dada will continue the Bush Theatre's programming in 2025, with Olivier Award nominee Omari Douglas returning to the stage.

Additional shows have been announced in the Bush Theatre's line-up for 2025, including a new play starring Olivier Award nominee and It's a Sin actor Omari Douglas.

He has been cast in Coral Wylie's new play Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew, which follows 19-year-old Pip as they dig into their family's past, unearthing old secrets. Directed by Debbie Hannan (Overflow), the cast also includes Wil Johnson, Pooky Quesnel, and writer Wylie. The show will run from 8 February to 22 March.

Making its world premiere, babirye bukilwa’s …blackbird hour is an exploration of a queer Black woman’s journey in loving oneself when love has been hard to find. Directed by malakaï sergeant and brought to the stage by Vital Xposure, a company that champions disabled-led performances, …blackbird hour will run from 30 January to 1 March.

Writer Mohamed-Zain Dada and director Milli Bhatia reunite on Speed, following the success of Olivier Award-nominated Blue Mist at the Royal Court. A routine speed awareness course spirals into a tumultuous group therapy session as the group is forced to confront their struggles and frustrations. The show runs from 4 April to 17 May.

Lynette Linton, the Bush Theatre’s Artistic Director said, "It’s a bitter-sweet feeling to announce my penultimate season as Artistic Director of The Bush, though exciting as it shows just what we’re all about, developing new writers and creatives and inviting them into the Bush family. For Coral Wylie, one of our Emerging Writer’s Group alumnus who has also performed in the Bush Young Company, Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew is their first show to be produced on a main stage. For babirye bukilwa and Mohamad-Zain Dada it’s the first visit by writers I’m a huge fan of."

Book Bush Theatre shows on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: artwork for Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew. (Photo courtesy of the Bush Theatre)