The Statesman is an absurdist comedy by New York-based writer Joel Marlin opening this September at Theatro Technis in London.
Directed by Quentin Beroud, The Statesman follows a village where laughter is outlawed and the reluctant official charged with teaching people how to be funny after a forbidden giggle draws the attention of the Queen.
The play blends sharp political commentary with dry humour and heart and explores what happens when a community has to confront the very thing it has been trying to suppress.
“The Statesman is not your average play – it’s thought-provoking, dark but funny and just a little bit weird.”
In this novel six-hander, a small village stands defiantly apart from its neighbours as a place where humour is outlawed. A dull, harmonious peace reigns – but when a boy is exiled for the forbidden act of laughter, his case catches the eye of the Queen. Intrigued, she dispatches a representative to uncover the truth.
Now, with just one week to prove they’re capable of comedy, the villagers and their stern Governor face a terrifying dilemma: to protect their way of life, they must learn how to become the very thing they are not – funny.
ABOUT JOEL MARLIN (WRITER)
Joel Marlin developed The Statesman through readings at Naked Angels, the Arcola Theatre, and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. He has worked as a writer for Electronic Arts and MTV Games’ Rock Band series (Best of Show in the Games Critics Awards: Best of E3), written for The History Channel’s Decoded, and taught playwriting in New York City Public Schools. His work has been funded by grants from the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
ABOUT QUENTIN BEROUD (DIRECTOR)
Quentin Beroud is a director and writer for stage and screen. His play Fabulous Creatures (★★★★★ – Stage to Page) recently closed at Arcola Theatre. Previously, his adaptation of Marivaux’s The Game of Love & Chance (★★★★★ – Hackney Gazette) was an OffWestEnd Award Finalist. His production of Richard II (★★★★ – The Telegraph) was staged at the Houses of Parliament and recognized by The Stage as one of 2016’s defining shows. He has also worked on Richard III and The Daughter-in-Law at Arcola Theatre.
ABOUT METAL RABBIT (PRODUCER)
Metal Rabbit Productions was established in 2012, since then it has produced quality new work in London, on tour in the UK and in New York, garnering multiple OffWestEnd and Broadway World award nominations.
Previous productions include: Boy Parts (Soho Theatre), The Misandrist (Arcola Theatre), The Prince (Southwark Playhouse), Mediocre White Male (Kings Head Theatre & Park Theatre), Spiderfly (Theatre503), We’re Staying Right Here and Fishskin Trousers (Park Theatre); Cuckoo (Soho Theatre); Tonight With Donny Stixx (The Bunker); Cargo (Arcola Theatre); Radiant Vermin (Bristol Tobacco Factory, Soho Theatre, 59E59 NYC); Lardo (Old Red Lion); Johnny Got His Gun (Southwark Playhouse and UK Tour); and Ernest Hemingway’s Fiesta (Trafalgar Studios).
Designer – Ismini Papaioannou
Sound & Lighting Designer – Simon Beyer
Production Manager – Simon Beyer
The Statesman
Venue: Theatro Technis,26 Crowndale Rd, London NW1 1TT
Dates: 10–13, 15–20, 22–27 (including Saturday matinees) September 2025
Estimated running time: 75 minutes
Ticket link: https://www.theatrotechnis.com/whatson/the-statesman
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