Dry Powder, Hampstead Theatre

Boosted by one of the largest grants available in America for new writing, Sarah Burgess is something of a rising star across the pond.

Her production of Dry Powder, which premiered at New York’s Public Theater in March, was the recipient of the Laurents/Hatcher Award, and attracted a high-profile cast, including Homeland’s Clare Danes, and loveable star of The Office (US) John Krasinski.

In January 2018, the comedy is heading to London’s Hampstead Theatre, with a similarly impressive cast. Hayley Atwell, who recently starred in the BBC's adapation of Howard's End, stars alongside Aidan McArdle (Mr Selfridge) and Tom Riley (Da Vinci's Demons).

The play explores the world of high finance, following the PR nightmare that unfolds when owner of a private equity firm, Rick, throws a lavish engagement party the same week that his firm forced huge layoffs in a chain of supermarkets. Rick’s two junior partners, Seth and Jenny, attempt to help solve the crisis – Seth suggests investing in a small, local, American-based firm to offset the damage done, an idea which number-crunching and morally vacant Jenny cannot see the merit in.

This production will be directed by Anna Ledwich, who is returning to the Hampstead Theatre after Labyrinth last autumn, a play which, like Dry Powder, followed those at the height of financial power.