Head downstairs at The Barons Court Theatre and enter 'The Lower Depths'

Gorky's colourful characters brought to life at atmospheric West London venue.

Cogs Theatre bring another rarely performed classic, The Lower Depths, to the Barons Court's basement theatre. Matt Beresford directs a cast of fourteen at this intimate venue, for a three-week run, from August 31^st.

Designer Katie Lias, who has recently completed a year at the RSC, is excited about the theatre's potential, "We wanted to find a play which would take advantage of the theatre's very special atmosphere - its archways, pillars, low ceilings and thrust stage. Gorky's play could almost have been written for it!"

Gorky wrote his masterpiece on the eve of great social change in Russia and his extraordinary characters seem just as real during the economic turmoil of 2010. They are crammed together in a small room and rely on violence, sex and plenty of humour to survive. All of their lives are changed forever after the arrival of the enigmatic Luka, who provides hope, but often with unintended consequences. Gorky forces us to look at those living in poverty, and ourselves, to ask whether it is better to face the truth, or make life easier with consoling lies.

The production is supporting Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity. Beresford says, "They are a charity close to our hearts and the necessity of their work proves that the issues affecting Gorky's characters are just as important today. We are proud to be supporting them and raising awareness with the play."