Having celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of their annual opera festival Grimeborn this summer, Arcola Theatre, led by Artistic Director, Mehmet Ergen, and Executive Producer, Leyla Nazli, today announce new programming for their forthcoming Autumn season with returning Arcola collaborators: New Earth Theatre Company, Philip Ridley, b*spoke theatre company and Frank McGuinness. The season opens with the previously announced world première of Kyo Choi’s The Apology in association with New Earth Theatre and The North Wall, which opens on 19 September with previews from 15 September, and runs until 8 October. The production, based on true accounts from survivors of the ‘comfort women’ of the Second World War, is directed by Artistic Director of Oxford’s The North Wall Ria Parry, who directs Ross Armstrong, Jessie Baek, Sarah Lam, Kwong Loke, Sharan Phull and Minhee Yeo. Philip Ridley’s award-winning darkly comic play The Poltergeist is next in the line-up, following a critically acclaimed digital run at Southwark Playhouse thanks to streamed performances during the pandemic. This production, presented by Arcola and Flying Colours Productions, reunites the original company with Wiebke Green directing Joseph Potter, opening on 17 October with previews from 12 October, and running until 5 November. The season culminates with the London première of b*spoke theatre company’s Dinner With Groucho, a new play from Tony Award-winning Irish writer Frank McGuinness. The production will make its world première at The Civic, Tallaght, as part of this year’s Dublin Theatre Festival, touring to The Mac as part of Belfast International Arts Festival, Oxford Playhouse and then Arcola Theatre. Loveday Ingram directs Ian Bartholomew as Groucho Marx, Ingrid Craigie as Proprietor and Greg Hicks as T.S. Eliot. Dinner With Groucho opens at Arcola Theatre on 21 November, with previews from 17 November, running until 10 December. Mehmet Ergen, Artistic Director of Arcola Theatre, says today, “We are so pleased to announce our Autumn season, welcoming back New Earth Theatre with their powerful and relevant play, Arcola favourite Philip Ridley, and b*spoke theatre company with long-time Arcola collaborator Frank McGuinness. There is something for everyone at Arcola this Autumn and we are immensely proud to be working with such an extraordinary team of creatives.” General on-sale on Tuesday 16 August at 12pm. New Earth Theatre, in association with Arcola Theatre and The North Wall present The world première of THE APOLOGY Written by KYO CHOI 15 September – 8 October 2022 Press night: Monday 19 September at 7pm Post-show discussion with Kyo Choi and Ria Parry: 20 September Cast: Ross Armstrong, Jessie Baek, Sarah Lam, Kwong Loke, Sharan Phull and Minhee Yeo Director: Ria Parry; Associate Director: Emily Ling Williams; Set Designer: TK Hay; Costume Designer: Erin Guan; Lighting and Video Designer: Gillian Tan; Sound Designer and Composer: Jamie Lu

Feel Good Contacts has slashed the price of its haunting (medically approved) coloured contact lenses from £8.49 to £6.99 in time for Halloween. The comfi Colors 1 Day Rainbow Pack, which contains five striking colours, will transform your look from friendly to frightening.

Whether you’re planning to don a vampire, werewolf, witch, zombie, or ghoul look, these freaky lenses will help you spook your friends and family.

comfi Colors 1 Day Rainbow Pack contains five vibrant colours, including True Blue, Timeless Grey, Divine Green, Gorgeous Brown, and Sweet Hazel. The versatile pack removes the cost of investing in one colour and finding that it doesn’t look striking or horrifying enough for Halloween.

comfi Colors 1 Day Rainbow Pack colour contact lenses are made with an ultra-thin, soft and smooth hydrogel material that offers comfort and moisture for 12 hours.

Tina Patel, Optician at Feel Good Contacts commented: “Whilst we want Halloween to be a memorable evening, we want it to be unforgettable for the right reasons; at the same time we warn consumers of the dangers of buying costume lenses without a prescription. By purchasing contact lenses from non-optical establishments, you could be putting your eyes at risk of a long list of eye-related conditions, including corneal infection, scratches on the cornea, conjunctivitis, reduced visual acuity and even blindness. Your eye is a very delicate organ, we don’t want that bloody-eye look turning into reality.”

Here are some tips on how to buy and wear cosmetic contact lenses and stay safe this Halloween:

1. Before buying your contact lenses, you should visit your eye care practitioner for a check-up. Even if you have good eyesight, you will still need to visit an optician to ensure that contact lenses are suitable for your eyes. If suitable, you will obtain a prescription with the lens dimensions to help you buy a proper fitting lens.

2. Buy the lenses from an eye care professional or vendor that requires a prescription. It is advisable that you avoid buying lenses from street vendors, salons, beauty supply stores, boutiques, flea markets, novelty stores, Halloween stores, convenience stores or untrustworthy internet retailers. These outlets may not abide by the same safety standards and regulations as reputable contact lens retailers. Trustworthy brands will only stock lenses from manufacturers that adhere to the strictest safety and quality regulations. Remember, contact lenses are medical devices and should only be purchased with an optician’s prescription. In fact, it’s illegal to buy contact lenses without one.

3. Always put your lenses on before applying your Halloween makeup and take them out before you remove your makeup.

4. Do not share your lenses with anyone. By sharing your lenses, you increase the chances of spreading eye diseases and corneal infections .

5. Follow the directions for cleaning, disinfecting and wearing the lenses. Do not use water to clean or store your lenses. Do not use your lenses more than the recommended wear time. If it is a single use lens, only wear it for one day and dispose of the lens as soon as you remove it from your eyes , do not exceed the recommended wearing time. If in doubt, follow the manufacturer’s instructions or ask your optician.

6. Do not sleep with your cosmetic lenses in, as this can lead to a higher risk of infection, , irritate your eyes and can even permanently damage your eyes.

7. Always wash and dry hands thoroughly before you handle your contact lenses.

8. If you suffer from any pain, redness, discomfort, itching, swelling or irritation, remove your lenses immediately. Consult your optician or emergency eye department and get your eyes treated as soon as possible.