Unusual suspects

12:39pm Tuesday 8th January 2008

Kevin Spacey may be cagey about his private life, but he has dutifully hopped into bed with Tim Roseman and Paul Robinson, artistic directors of Theatre 503. The offspring of this steamy communion are two plays - Mad Funny Just and I Am A Superhero - which feature at the Battersea theatre this month.

The background is thus: Spacey is the artistic director of the Old Vic theatre and is as much a champion of upcoming talent as Tim and Paul.

Last year saw the inaugural Old Vic New Voices Theatre503 Award - a new focal point for the Old Vic's already-established New Voices Club, which nurtures over 5,000 young actors, writers, directors and producers each year.

Tim and Paul have been helping the Old Vic's young guns for years, and now the favouri is returned, with 503 stage the award's winning show every year for three weeks and the runners-up for one.

Mad Funny Just was the 2007 winner, and begins in Battersea on January 22. Tim explains: "It is about what happens to a group of people who knew someone, hung out with her, went partying with her, and then one day she dies.

"How do you survive and what are the things that get in the way? How do you go shopping or get your hair done?

"It isn't a tragedy at all. It is a beautiful piece of theatre, touching, provocative and it made the judging panel laugh more than any other."

The play is by Creased, a group comprising six members of the New Voices Club, whom Tim regards as "a hugely versatile group of actors who get incredibly specific and classy direction from Sarah Tipple."

Runner-up I Am A Superhero starts its week-long run next Wednesday, and is described by Tim as "unlike anything I have seen before."

He adds: "It is one of those plays that can only come from the mind of a unique individual writer Jennifer Tuckett.

"It is a beautiful play about a girl who, in the wake of a family tragedy, discovers a unique way to make the world better and fix the family."

To be more specific would make us both big fat spoilers, so I will let Tim continue: "It is entirely Jennifer's vision. She has been workshopping with New Voices scheme for some time. I Am A Superhero and Mad Funny Just are a real testament to the Old Vic."

Don't forget, Theatre 503 was named in Time Out's top five London theatres for new writing - alongside the National, Royal Court, Soho and Bush, no less - so it knows a bit about fresh theatre talent, as does Oscar winner Spacey: "Kevin is incredibly excited about these shows," says Tim. "You wouldn't expect it from someone of his stature but he is hugely passionate about the New Voices scheme and supporting young artists.

"When he was on Broadway doing A Moon For the Misbegotten, he was doing workshops for young people and he still does them now."

I Am A Superhero, Jan 15-19; Mad Funny Just, Jan 22-Feb 9; Theatre 503, Latchmere pub, 503 Battersea Park Road; 8pm (5pm Sundays), £12/£8, 020 7978 7040, theatre503.com.

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