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TOP PICK
THE CREATIVE PLACE INTERNATIONAL / iTHEATRE SARATOGA, AND THEATRE COMPANY, and HINT OF LIME PRODUCTIONS Presents
A PLAY BY JEFFREY SWEET
Starring Jeff McCarthy
1st May - 18th May 2024
Direct from New York and a UK/European premiere, iTheatre Saratoga/AND Theatre company’s acclaimed production stars Broadway veteran Jeff McCarthy (Urinetown, Beauty and the Beast), as the legendary Kunstler—a self-described “radical lawyer” and civil rights activist. Famous for defending the Chicago Seven and his involvement at Attica and Wounded Knee, attorney William Kunstler had an outsize personality and a tremendous appetite for life. In this two-character drama, tensions flare when he arrives on a college campus to give a seminar. The brilliant young law student assigned to introduce him objects to his appearance and is determined to confront him. Has Kunstler finally met his match?
Reviews
“Wise and revealing. A skilful script. An eye-opening history lesson. Jeff McCarthy seduces his audience. Mr. McCarthy has the Kunstler style down pat…”
The New York Times
“This fascinating production provides a unique insight into Kunstler’s life and times. With superb staging this two hander features the impeccable acting of Jeff McCarthy. The show is timely as it addresses many of the civil liberty issues that Americans are facing today.”
Broadway World
Burden of Proof
Written and directed by Ian Dixon Potter
21st May - 1st June 2024
Detective Sergeant Dunderdale is on the brink of solving a bloody murder but is there enough evidence to convict Joseph Wade? Dunderdale is determined to secure a conviction by fair means or foul. After all, isn't it acceptable to bend the rules a little if the only alternative is for a dangerous killer to walk free?
The Work We Do
Written and directed by Cerys Jones
4th - 8th June 2024
Two performers, Annie and Harry, meet for the first time in a studio to record an erotic audio story. But can two people with such different viewpoints really come together?
From the writer/director of 'Who's Next?' (White Bear Theatre) and 'Cynefin' (Bread and Roses Theatre), 'The Work We Do' explores our relationship to work, sexuality, and the nuances of prejudices
Lewisham Girl Productions
Just Call Me Al
By Lisa Pancucci
11th - 15th June 2024
Kathleen loved to write.
Well, she did until Al came to stay.
Kathleen has Alzheimer’s Disease.
Miranda, her eldest child, is struggling. Carla, her middle child, is trying her best. Alex, her youngest, is not sure of anything anymore.
Every day their mother is becoming more and more out of their reach. Do their memories still count if their mother can no longer share them? And will Al succeed in tearing them apart or can it bring them closer?
Just Call Me Alfollows the journey of one family facing the impact of this disease. Told with courage, humour and compassion, it is a tender story of love, loss and the ability to endure.
She is still here. We have a lot left of her. We can still hold her hand and make her laugh.
Lewisham Girl Productionsis a SE London theatre production company that, through thought-provoking drama, passionately seeks to bring ordinary lives to the stage.
Say It Loud Theatre presents
Contractions
by Mike Bartlett
18th - 22nd June 2024
Enter the turbulent, corporate world of 'Contractions' by Mike Bartlett, where Emma confronts her formidable Manager and their relentless workplace policies. Follow Emma's journey as she battles to maintain control amidst the chaos, only to find her resolve tested by the conflicts of her personal life. In this gripping tale, office politics collide with matters of the heart, threatening to unravel Emma's carefully constructed life both inside and outside the workplace. Will she defy 'The Manager' and follow her heart, or succumb to the pressures of corporate conformity? Discover the thrilling twists and turns of 'Contractions'—where personal matters and ambition collide in unexpected ways.
A Little Twisted Production Company
The Adam Error
By Freya Storch
25th - 29th June 2024
The Adam Error brings to stage the world of Emporium 52; a crime free society built on the ashes of the Great Civil War of 2030. The genders have turned on one another and AI has taken over. Lia spends her days as a producer for the Ceremonies, weekly televised trials arranged to keep civilians in check. She is sure the Friends have her best interests at heart; but why do women keep disappearing, and how would she know when her friends have been replaced?
A Little Twisted Productions was founded in 2020 by Laura Rinati and Freya Storch. Previous productions include:
Safehouse (2023), written by Liam Scanlon and directed by Laura Rinati
Duty (2021) written by Bomafabbia Wokoma and directed by Laura Rinati at Etcetera Theatre,
Camden as part of Camden Fringe Festival 2021.
ENFIN EN SCENE 3
Les Nouveaux Barbares
30th June - 4th July 2024
Les Nouveaux Barbares
de Frédéric El Kaïm
Mis en scène par David Furlong
"Vous savez qu’on a rien inventé. L’histoire qu’on vous raconte depuis tout à l’heure, c’est une histoire vraie. Ils l’ont viré parce qu’il a voulu accompagner son fils qui mourrait. On croit rêver. Et attendez, sur leur site à la page ressources humaines, juste sous ‘recrutement’, ils ont écrit en premier:
“Nous avons toujours placé l’humain au centre de nos pré-occupations”. C’est pas beau ?”
Ce fait divers réel est le point de départ dramatique de la pièce de Frédéric El Kaïm. Salarié.e.s, syndicalistes, service des Ressources Humaines, direction, au fil des discussions, confrontations, jeux de pouvoir, Les Nouveaux barbares nous entraînent à un rythme effréné dans le monde de la grande entreprise, comme si on y était. Humiliation, déni de l’autre, manipulation du langage, toutes les manœuvres qui viennent altérer la dimension humaine des rapports sociaux dans le monde professionnel sont le prétexte de scènes parfois burlesques.
Une comédie sur le monde du travail qui fait réfléchir… ou une tragédie qui fait rire ? A comedy which makes us reflect on the workplace, or a tragedy that makes us laugh ?
ENFIN EN SCENE 3
En attendant Godot
2nd - 3rd July 2024
En attendant Godot
Acte 1 de la piece Samuel Beckett
Mise en scène d’Alexis Danan
Qui est Godot ?
Où est il ?
D'où vient-il ?
Que veut-il ?
"Toutes ces interrogations hantent Vladimir et Estragon qui ne pourront jamais y répondre. Coincés dans un espace où le temps se réduit à celui d'une rencontre à jamais différée, nos deux anti-héros doivent faire face aux errements d'une attente peuplée d'imprévus.
“Nous naissons tous fous.
Quelques-uns le demeurent.”
Cette adaptation du chef d'oeuvre de Samuel Beckett, revisitée par nos élèves du mardi soir, qui vous en présenteront l’acte 1, et vous donneront autant matière à rire qu'à réflèchir sur le lien entre deux êtres unis par l'Attente. En attendant Godot, réservez vos places avant qu'il ne finisse par arriver.
Artwork par/by Aurelie Freoua @aurelie_art
ENFIN EN SCENE 3
UN AIR DE FAMILLE
6th - 7th July 2024
UN AIR DE FAMILLE
de Jean-Pierre Bacri et Agnès Jaoui
Mise en scène de Hervé Goffings
Toute ressemblance avec une famille existante ne serait que pure… mais troublante coïncidence !
Ça chauffe au dîner hebdomadaire des Ménard : Henri, le cafetier, vient de se faire larguer par sa femme. Philippe, son frère, cadre faraud et peureux, peste contre Betty, la petite sœur rebelle. Laquelle en a marre de la relation qu’elle entretient avec Denis, le serveur intello. Et puis il y a la mère, pas commode, et Yolande, la belle sœur pas maligne dont c’est l'anniversaire… Les secrets de chacun vont éclater au grand jour.
A French cult play, a family affair !
Une pièce culte et mordante, d'Agnès Jaoui et Jean Pierre Bacri, César du meilleur scénario (Cuisines et Dépendances, Le Goût des autres) qui donna lieu au célèbre film de Cédric Klapisch avec Catherine Frot, césarisée elle aussi. Exchange Theatre avait mis en scène la première représentation londonienne de la pièce il y a dix ans !
ENFIN EN SCENE 3
Côté Scène Côté Orchestre
10th - 13th July 2024
Côté Scène
Côté Orchestre
d'après “Italienne Scène et Orchestre” de Jean-François Sivadier
Mise en scène de David Furlong
Un laboratoire d’humanité généreux et foutraque !
Auteur et metteur en scène, Jean-François Sivadier nous propose de suivre les répétitions d’un opéra. Les spectateurs.rices reçoivent des consignes du chef d’orchestre et de la metteuse en scène et assistent aux répétitions avec les chanteurs.euses et les technicien.nes. Ce spectacle hilarant s’en prend avec amour et ironie à la création dramatique. Découvrez ainsi l’univers des coulisses où s’agitent diva, chanteurs.euses, metteuse en scène, chef d’orchestre, le temps de la fabrication d’un rêve commun.
“Vous allez rester là tout l’acte trois ? C’est pas évident hein ? Et puis ça n’avance pas, il ne se passe pas grand-chose, on est très en retard” Alessandro, Acte 1
Après Les Bonnes et Cendrillon, notre troupe d’amateurs.trices retrouve la mise en scène de David Furlong qui poursuit son exploration de la mise en abyme au théâtre (Gare au Théâtre, En Quête d’Auteur) en explorant la comédie, l’absurde et même l’onirique.
Lucid Blue Stories Presents
We Weren't Innocent; We Were Girls
Written by Eleanor Boes
16th - 20th July 2024
A British teenage girl is violently murdered by her two best friends. Three years later, an American true crime podcaster arrives to delve further into the case than ever before. As a narrative builds, the girls’ anxieties and rage are exposed, and in the wake of a captivating tragedy, the truth may succumb to the story, or be lost to the wilderness of teenage girlhood altogether.
TOP PICK National tour
Giles Shenton Productions
What's Wrong With Benny Hill?
COMEDY KING OR MYSOGINISTIC MONSTER?
25th August 2024
A musical comedy by Mark Carey.
Music by Kevin Oliver Jones
Performed by Mark Carey & Dani Carbery
Benny Hill died alone in his spartan flat in 1992, he was 68. His body was undiscovered for several days. Benny was, had been and still is, one of the most successful comedians of all time.
When Apollo Eleven landed on the moon in 1969, millions watched live on TV but that evening many more had tuned in to “The Benny Hill Show”.
Today “The Benny Hill Show” is broadcast regularly in over a hundred countries around the world. In Britain he has, effectively been “cancelled”.
“What’s Wrong with Benny Hill?” is a brand-new comedy that explores the life and legacy of a very peculiar and brilliant comedian. It tells the story of his life and shows why he was considered by many of his peers to be the best, an “Imperial Clown”.
Mark Carey, in his latest play sets out to address these questions and provide an insight into a unique and deeply private man with a very public face, and tackles current issues such as cancel culture and freedom of speech.
What’s wrong with Benny Hill?. The hilarious new musical comedy featuring Mark Carey and Dani Carbery.
"Brilliant! Provokes discussion and debate.....whatever your views on comedy. Star quality performances." Tony Homer, Downstagewrite
"Ruddy marvellous! Brilliant performances! Thought provoking and challenging!"
Gill Sutherland, Stratford Herald
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