Although by the end of the piece I wanted to cuddle Uncle Napier, I didn’t feel the need to squeeze. Whether the play is liked or not, a promise has been kept and Blow’s uncle lives on at The Old Red Lion Theatre.
Following their success with the 2015 world premiere of Arthur Miller’s No Villian, The Old Red Lion Theatre has announced the world premiere of J B Priestley’s Benighted. Originally published in 1927 as a novel by a then unknown Priestley, it wasn’t until 1932 that the novel was adapted by Universal into a film called The Old Dark House, which broke box office records across the UK. Set in the heart of wildest Wales on a treacherously stormy night where it seems the world itself is going to end, Philip and Margaret Waverton are left with no choice but to abandon their Austin Tourer and seek refuge in an old dark house. Soaked, hungry and exhausted from their ordeal, the Wavertons’ relief at finally being indoors rapidly slips away as it becomes devilishly apparent that their gracious hosts for the evening, the peculiar Femm Family (and indeed the house itself), … Read more
Simon Blow’s debut drama The Past Is A Tattoed Sailor, will have its world premiere at London’s Old Red Lion Theatre in August 2016. This fiercely witty and bittersweet drama is fictional but drawn heavily from Simon Blow’s relationship with his great-uncle Stephen Tennant. Simon is the grandson of aristocratic architect Detmar Blow and scion of a family never far from the newspaper columns, and The Past Is a Tattooed Sailor is unique excursion into a lost world of sparkling aphorism and gloriously eccentric characters. Past and present are one in the sleeping manor house where Uncle Napier lives in an eternal doze. Upper class boy Joshua has sought out his great-uncle, long taken to his bed and drifting in memories of his glowing adolescence. Joshua is having his own roaring twenties with new builder boyfriend Damien, but the burden of class weighs heavy over the young man, and ghosts … Read more
Scealta Mora presents the World Premiere of Asking Rembrandt by acclaimed playwright Steve Gooch. This new play examines the working life of the famous artist, as well as when art and emotion overlaps. Based around the few known facts of Rembrandt’s relationship with patron Jan Six, as well as mistress Hendrickje Stoffels, this new play looks at the perils of the commissioning process through the working life of this most formidable artist. Told with irreverent, award-winning wit, Asking Rembrandt offers an intimate insight into the studio and personal life of one of history’s most innovatory figures. Casting includes Liam McKenna as Rembrandt, John Gorick as Jan Six, Esme Patti-Ford as Henni and Loz Keystone as Titus. Asking Rembrandt will be directed by Jonathan Kemp, whose numerous credits include the Offie-nominated Prostitutes Marry in May at Waterloo East and the national touring production of The Picture Of Dorian Gray, and Dr … Read more
The team behind the sell-out success The Fastest Clock In The Universe return to the Old Red Lion Theatre to present The Dogs Of War – a dark comedy by Tim Foley. The play is a volatile look at a group of people battling with the fear of change, isolation and separation. The Herming family have moved to the middle of nowhere – Northern Ireland. The mam pops pills in her armchair, the Dad makes stuff in his shed, and their son Johnny avoids them both as much as possible. But when Johnny comes home from university, things go a little strange. For starters, the family dogs have turned invisible and Cleopatra, Queen Of Egypt (and local resident) has arrived unannounced. Whilst Johnny wrestles with all that is unseen and seen, an ongoing conflict with a nearby farmer will have untold repercussions for his parents. The Dogs Of War made … Read more
The world Of Marching On Together is a raw, realistic one. As playwright, Hughes imbues each of his characters with harsh truth, his dialogue has incredible authenticity. It’s a world of mindless violence which all comes to nought.
Britishtheatre.com is pleased to announce that the Kickstarter campaign for Marching On Together, a new play by upcoming playwright Adam Hughes has been successfully funded. The play received £6394 from 113 backers exceeding the £6000 target that had originally been its aim. Marching on Together will receive its world premiere at the Old Red Lion Theatre, Islington, in February 2015. After its London debut, it will head on tour to West Yorkshire in March visiting schools, community centres, Working Men’s Clubs, and even bespoke non-theatrical locations that feature in the play. We hope that Britishtheatre.com readers will support this great new writer. Tickets to Marching On Together are available from The Red Lion Theatre
A two-hander play from Royal Court Studio Writers’ Group alumni Ella Carmen Greenhill delves into the disillusionment of today’s youth, echoing the frustration of a generation that feels it has been let down by the government and asking what they can do to make their voices heard. Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, assistant director on The Scottsboro Boys, Made in Britain advocates the need for a new generation who exercise their right to vote. Danny’s been told he can do anything if he follows his dreams but it’s a lie. Nina’s estranged father doesn’t recognise her. Fuelled by disillusionment with society, despair at being trapped in a poverty cycle and anger at being ignored, they end up at a G8 summit where they form an unlikely friendship. Armed with a can of petrol, some matches and some nagging doubts, the two youths must decide what it is they stand for and … Read more
