The European premiere of The New Group’s critically acclaimed Off-Broadway production, The Spoils, a razor-sharp new comedy written by and starring internationally acclaimed actor Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice), will transfer for a strictly limited season at London’s Trafalgar Studios, from 27 May to 13 August, with press night on 2 June.
Eisenberg’s third play, The Spoils originally ran Off-Broadway, to critical acclaim, in 2015 at The Pershing Square Signature Center from 5 May to 28 June. This play cements his reputation as a talented playwright whose tragicomic work explores questions of American privilege and the nature of family and relationships. The production is directed by The New Group’s Artistic Director, Scott Elliott, and stars Jesse as Ben, alongside his original co-star, Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory) as Kalyan. Further casting to be announced in due course.
A cuttingly satirical glimpse of a lost soul searching to assent the reality of his situation. Perceptively disconcerting, The Spoils speaks to the exasperated, self-analysing millennial generation. A painfully awkward comedy, not to be missed!
Nobody likes Ben. Ben doesn’t even like Ben. He bullies everyone in his life, including his roommate Kalyan, an earnest Nepalese immigrant. When Ben discovers that his school crush is marrying a straight-laced banker, he sets out to destroy their relationship and win her back.
The Spoils has set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski, sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen and projection design by Olivia Sebesky.
Jesse Eisenberg said “The Spoils explores issues as disparate as stunted sexuality and the politics of the deposed Nepalese Monarchy, NFL on Fox and the fluctuating prices of tea on the agrarian market. It’s about how all of these seemingly unrelated things intersect to create a portrait of life in a complicated, heterogeneous society. I’m thrilled to perform this play in London, such an incredible centre for theatre.”
Jesse Eisenberg (Ben) is a BAFTA, Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee, garnering praise for his portrayal of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network. A multifaceted and dynamic actor, he is also an acclaimed author and playwright.
Eisenberg’s past film credits include The Social Network, To Rome With Love directed by Woody Allen, Roger Dodger, The Squid and the Whale, The Education of Charlie Banks, Zombieland, Adventureland, 30 Minutes or Less, The Double, Night Moves, Now You See Me, American Ultra and The End of Tour. He can currently be seen in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and in the upcoming release Louder Than Bombs.
Eisenberg has been in various plays, including his play The Spoils in 2015 for The New Group at The Pershing Square Signature Center. Eisenberg wrote and starred alongside Vanessa Redgrave in his play The Revisionist at the Cherry Lane Theatre, and in 2011 he wrote and starred in the play Asuncion, also at the Cherry Lane Theatre, earning a Drama League nomination for Distinguished Performance.
Born in New York, Eisenberg is a frequent contributor to The New Yorker magazine and the author of the novel of short stories Bream Gives Me Hiccups, from Grove Press.
Kunal Nayyar (Kalyan) starred in the original cast of The New Group’s Off-Broadway production of The Spoils at The Pershing Square Signature Center, and will be making his West End debut in the play this year.
Nayyar is best known for his work as the loveable astrophysicist Raj Koothrappali on television’s #1 comedy, The Big Bang Theory. The series has been nominated for multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG, and Critics Choice Awards. The show has won the People’s Choice Award for favorite network TV comedy four years in a row. The Big Bang Theory, now in its 9th season, averages 20 million viewers per episode.
Additional stage credits include Huck and Holden at the Dahlia Theater in Los Angeles, for which Nayyar was awarded Best Male Lead in a Play on the West Coast by the Garland Awards, and Love’s Labour’s Lost at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
Nayyar’s other screen credits include the upcoming DreamWorks animation film Trolls, the animated blockbuster feature film Ice Age: Continental Drift, the independent feature film, Consumed, directed by Daryl Wein, a recurring role on the Vince Vaughn produced TBS show, Sullivan & Sons and the character of Ajay on the Nickelodeon animated series, Sanjay and Craig. Nayyar has also guest hosted the late night talk show, The Late Late Show on CBS. He took over the show for three nights and interviewed talent that included Billy Bob Thornton, Bob Newhart Simon Helberg, Sarah Hyland and Britt Robertson. His episodes aired February 25 – 27, 2015 to great ratings.
In addition to his acting career, Nayyar released his first book, Yes, My Accent is Real, in September 2015. The book is a memoir focused on his experiences growing up in India and his journey to becoming an actor. He has also produced the documentary, Beyond All Boundaries, about the competitive sport of Cricket in India and follows three people and their passion for the sport.
