ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Howard Brenton's Play '#aiww: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei' Runs at Hampstead Theatre

other · 2026-04-20

A theatrical production exploring Ai Weiwei's 2011 detention is currently being staged in London. Howard Brenton's play '#aiww: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei' draws from conversations between Barnaby Martin and the Chinese artist. The work focuses on the 81-day period when Ai was held by authorities on tax evasion allegations. James Macdonald directs the production at Hampstead Theatre, where performances continue through May 18. This dramatization examines the circumstances surrounding the artist's controversial imprisonment.

Key facts

  • The play '#aiww: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei' is written by Howard Brenton
  • Performances run until May 18
  • The production is staged at Hampstead Theatre in London
  • James Macdonald serves as director
  • The play is based on Barnaby Martin's conversations with Ai Weiwei
  • It dramatizes Ai Weiwei's 81-day detention in 2011
  • The detention was related to tax evasion allegations
  • Chinese authorities carried out the arrest

Entities

Artists

  • Ai Weiwei
  • Howard Brenton
  • James Macdonald
  • Barnaby Martin

Institutions

  • Hampstead Theatre
  • Chinese authorities

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • China

Sources