Playwright and New School for Drama faculty member Chris Shinn’s new play, Now or Later, has been extended until November 1 at the Royal Court Theatre in London after its critically acclaimed world premiere last month. The searching new work examines religion, freedom of expression, and personal responsibility. It’s election night in the United States, and things are looking favorable for the Democratic Party, but while the president-elect, his wife, advisors and 20-year-old son are awaiting the results; controversial photos of his son are gathering momentum on the Internet. As his advisors work against the clock on damage limitation, it's up to father and son to try and reach an agreement.

“The Royal Shakespeare Company [originally] commissioned the play,” Shinn explains, “but when Dominic Cooke (RSC artistic associate) left to take over the Royal Court, he brought the commission with him. We talked a lot about how Shakespeare represented leaders and wars, and how strange it was that more playwrights today didn't represent the powerful, those who make big decisions about policy and war. I eventually decided it would be interesting to write about a potential President in times very much like ours.”

Shinn and the Royal Court share an extensive history, the latter having premiered many of Shinn’s plays, including last season’s Dying City, which had its US premiere at Lincoln Center. “Working with the Royal Court is great because there's a tremendous respect for and even deference to the playwright,” he enthused. “I've found that on the deepest level they revere the playwright and work harder to understand his or her intentions, rather than assuming they know better than the playwright, which is often the case, in my experience, in America.”

As of yet there are no firm plans for a US production, however Shinn’s adaptation of Hedda Gabler for the Roundabout Theatre Company is slated to open on Broadway early next year in a production directed by Ian Rickson and starring Mary-Louise Parker.

For more information on Now or Later, visit www.royalcourttheatre.com.