WHAT'S ON at WHITE BEAR THEATRE
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JOCK
3rd - 8th January 2025
JOCK follows one man’s experience in a sport society at University and his desire to belong. By exploring themes of toxic masculinity it examines how far this desire will go and at what cost.
JOCK had its debut in April 2023 at the Chain Theatre in New York to a sold out audience. Following, JOCK transferred off west-end to The Golden Goose Theatre in June 2024 to rave reviews. Due to demand JOCK returns once more to The White Bear Theatre in January 2025
HOWERD'S END
By Mark Farrelly
Directed by Joe Harmston
9th - 11th January 2025
Can you imagine being terrified of your own happiness? You can? Then let's begin...
Frankie Howerd was one of Britain's most loved comedians for half a century. But he had a secret. And the secret's name was Dennis.
This hugely acclaimed play by Mark Farrelly (Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope / Jarman) takes you to the heart of Frankie and Dennis' clandestine relationship, which lasted from the 1950s until Frankie's death in 1992. It also affords a glorious opportunity to encounter Frankie in full-flight stand up mode.
Packed with laughter, but unafraid of truth, Howerd's End portrays two humans' journey through closeness, love, grief, and all the other things that make life worth living. Come and say farewell to a legend...and learn the art of letting go.
Milked
By Simon Longman
14th - 25th January 2025
Paul is tyring to find a job. Snowy is trying to find himself. But when Snowy stumbles across an ailing cow stuck in a local field, he ropes Paul into trying to help the cow, either to improve its lot or put it out of its misery.
What follows is a hilarious proecession of failed suffociations experiments with a saw and trip to the train tracks in this funny and moving black comedy about friendship, unemployment and a cow called Sandy.
Haunted Shadows
28th January - 8th February 2025
Edith Nesbit revisits the darkness of her own past, telling three of her Gothic tales while recalling various childhood terrors. Better known for her children's books, she was also a prolific writer of ghost and horror stories. The Shadow, The Pavilion and a rediscovered tale, A Strange Experience, are dramatised in this chilling one-woman show.
Performed and adapted by Claire Louise Amias
Directed by Jonathan Rigby
Edith Nesbit was born in Kennington (only five minutes' walk from the White Bear) and spent her first seven years in the area.
Once a Week Theatre
★★★★ ‘Good old-fashioned story-telling is the key to the success of this entertaining one-woman show … Amias’ narration is superb. Director Jonathan Rigby paces both pieces expertly … it’s delicious fun to be settled comfortably and know you are going to be appalled in the next moment. The stories themselves are strong … adding further substance to this small but perfectly formed evening.’
TOP PICK
Hint of Lime Productions in association with ANDTheatre Company present:
The Value of Names
A UK Premiere
Written and Directed by Jeffrey Sweet
11th February - 1st March 2025
Starring Jeremy Kareken, Katherine Lyle & Tim Hardy
Hollywood, 1983. Up and coming actress Norma is staying with her father, Benny, as she begins rehearsing a project. Benny was a blacklisted actor, and they discover the new director assigned to Norma's show is Leo, the man who gave Benny's name to the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and derailed his career. Norma is faced with the choice of giving up a career making role or hurting her father, Benny is faced with the knowledge his daughter is working closely with the man who betrayed him, and Leo comes face to face for the first time with the consequences of his actions so many years ago. The three of them have things to settle, you bet. Funny and confrontational.
Hint of Lime Productions returns to The White Bear Theatre to present another UK premiere of a Jeffrey Sweet play, “The Value of Names” following the five-star reviewed and Offie Award Nominated “Kunstler” in May 2024. The company is also the producer of five star reviewed and Standing Ovation Award finalist, “The Trials of Galileo” starring (“The Value of Names” cast member) Tim Hardy, at The White Bear in October 2024.
“The Value of Names is almost perfect.” Variety
“It’s not often you will encounter a play as rich in depth as The Value of Names.” Chicago Magazine
“Very moving, beautifully written.” Chicago Tribune
Chateau Farci
a French farce by David Shirreff
4th - 15th March 2025
Directed by Kenneth Michaels
Imagine a crumbling chateau in rural France. Alice, the owner, and her partner Jake, an old soldier, moved in twenty years ago. The couple’s relationship has broken down, but Jake refuses to move out. He is holed up in a corner of the chateau known as his bunker.
A local Gendarme, Jacqueline the maid, various offspring and Pongo the dog contribute to the confusion.
The plot is part farce, part tragedy, part whodunit. Come and enjoy the fun.
We are very proud to announce that LONDON PUB THEATRES MAGAZINE is now an OFFIE AWARD WINNING publication
A ONEOFF Special Award has been awarded to London Pub Theatres Magazine and Editor Heather Jeffery for providing a vital forum for highlighting the excellent work that happens in rooms in pubs, with sensitive editing, and an acute sense of the importance of tiny fringe venues to the health and development of British Theatre