Past Productions
Have a look at the amazing shows we have done at Barons Court Theatre through the years
2024
Solo Play Day Festival
5 -9 November 2024
The first edition of this new international festival saw monodramas being performed in 5 countries: New Zealand, Ukraine, Kosovo, Uk and US. Barons Court Theatre presented a double bill of plays by Argentinian writer Monica Maffia, both translatedd by Sophie Stevens: Raw (En Carne Viva), directed by Luke O'Field, performed by Alex Smith Complete Sex (Sexo Total), directed by Sharon Willems, performed byJo Sutherland
One Man Poe
31 October - 2 November 2024
Renowned as the ‘Godfather of Gothic Horror’, Edgar Allan Poe was a pioneer in establishing the horror genre. Although his works are nearly 200 years old, Poe’s stories have stood the test of time and have inspired a countless number of horror writers. Using Poe’s original text from the 1840s, Stephen Smith faithfully brings his words to life on stage, performing four of the most terrifying examples of gothic literature: Act One: The Tell-Tale Heart and The Pit and the Pendulum Act Two: The Black Cat and The Raven
Not in the Mood for Quiche Anymore
by Victoria Buse
22 - 26 October 2024
A one-woman tragi-comedy exploring the consequences of loneliness, and what lengths people will go to in the pursuit of love. Becks wants a boyfriend. She meets her dream man online, yet the discovery of his criminal conviction rather complicates the matter. But just how bad can it be...? Becks can’t believe it when she thinks she’s found her ideal partner to break her cycle of singledom, only there’s one small issue – he’s in prison. After their first date, she’s hooked, but as he reels her in, a question mark looms over who he really is. The closer Becks gets, the more she’s at risk of being caught in his net. Performed by Laura Matthews Written by Victoria Buse Directed by Michael Gyngell
A Guy Called Scott Crawls Under a Table and Won't Come Out
by Jonas Jamarik
22 - 26 October 2024
Three friends spiral into an accusatory examination of their deepest secrets. "Sooner or later I’ll realize that I have never actually regretted a shower. No matter how much I didn’t feel like it, I never regretted taking one." On a particularly gloomy Monday morning, Scott finds himself hiding under the kitchen table, refusing to face the day. He’s discovered by his flatmate and best friend Tom who, while trying to help - freaks out and calls their mutual (and complicated) friend Harmony over. Turns out this was not the greatest idea, as the trio spirals into a series of unexpected revelations that challenge the boundaries of their friendship. And there’s also a shooting. Cast: India Walton, Calum Balmforth, Matthew Forrest Directed by Michael Gyngell Written by Jonas Jamarik
Horatio & Hamlet by Harry Reed after W. Shakespeare
1 - 12 October 2024
Madness in great ones must not unwatched go Experience Shakespeare’s most famous play as you never have before with Harry Reed’s unparalleled adaptation of Hamlet. While maintaining and reshaping the original text, this dynamic two-hander gives a unique insight into Horatio and Hamlet's relationship, revealing moments of joy, pain, and friendship previously left unseen. Shakespeare ends his original work with Horatio for a reason, it’s time to see why. We meet the two friends in Hamlet’s dilapidated student flat, 2 months after the funeral of Hamlet’s father. As they navigate the wilderness of grief together, unhealthy coping mechanisms manifest into a far more dangerous reality. The lines between fact and fiction begin to blur in Hamlet’s mind and Horatio is left to collect the pieces of his broken friend and bring him back to reality. “Horatio & Hamlet is about love and friendship when it’s needed most.” - Harry Reed, Adaptor and Director This is a co-production brought to you by Just A Regular House Productions & Series2 Theatre Company CAST Horatio: Alex Dean Hamlet: Joseph Ryan-Hughes Director: Harry Reed Designer: Laura Mugford
The Devil in the Belfry by Dave Robb after E A Poe
24 - 28 September 2024
Handel Fledermaus has traveled from the distant town of Vondorvotteimittiss, where the cabbage is king and time is sacred. A supernatural invader has plunged his once idyllic home into chaos, and he seeks the help of anyone who would believe his tale. But with a giant clock, a flying fiddler, and a horde of ravenous pigs, it’s a very tall tale indeed. Edgar Allan Poe’s satirical short grows arms, legs, and teeth in a fantastical and frantic monologue by Dave Robb, directed by Flavia D’Avila. The Devil in the Belfry has been developed with support from the Guest Room initiative from the National Theatre of Scotland and had its world premiere at the inaugural Cymera Festival of sci-fi, horror, and fantasy literature in Edinburgh. Written and performed by Dave Robb Directed and produced by Flavia D’Avila
Reboot Festival 4
3 - 21 September 2024
Get ready for 3 weeks of new writing adventures with 18 plays selected from around the workd and featuring some fantastic emerging artists. There's a new lineup each week and each play performs every night of their week.
Ulysses in Babel by Vivian Allvin
27 - 31 August 2024
How we sound. Who we are. What we have to say. ‘Ulysses in Babel’ is a journey inspired by the Greek myth of Ulysses, suspended between heaven and hell, with just a touch of Babylonian confusion: Languages, dialects, and accents. In Britain, they carry extra baggage: Class. How can a foreigner resist the temptation to have a go? From the upper-class twit to the quintessential English head tilt, we’ll hit every stereotype in the book, with minimal (and only vaguely Marxist) swearing. Come get lost in translation, amidst gods and alley cats! For more info visit http://www.vivianallvin.com/ulysses-in-babel
The Good The Bad The Silly by Calum Mac Arthur
16 - 27 July 2024
An outlaw in the Wild West stumbles upon a peculiar saloon run by a wacky barman. As eccentric characters enter the saloon one-by-one, the outlaw and his new-found assistant must discover the truth behind the Saloon’s mysterious effects, despite everyone’s lack of memory. Absurd comedy turns to religious despair in this wacky slapstick adventure; can the cowboy in the black hat connect the dots or will the Saloon swallow these drifters for good? Cast Luke Rose - Barman Daniel Pirie - Black Hat Vilma Kitula - Rob Steele, Madam, Inventor Cameron Carlson - Sheriff, Doctor, Priest White City Theatre Project: Imani, Reina, Jayan, Pepper, Luca, Shaheedah, Amelie and Hallelujah
HEDY! The Life and Inventions of Hedy Lamarr
10 - 13 July 2024
From Austria to Hollywood, WWII, torpedoes, ecstasy, and intrigue to the very cell phone in your pocket, Hedy Lamarr is there! Hedy Lamarr, glamorous siren of the silver screen, was more than the most beautiful woman in the world. She invented Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum Technology that makes the world of wireless communication tick. From Austria to Hollywood, WWII, torpedoes, ecstasy, and intrigue to the very cell phone in your pocket, Hedy Lamarr is there! HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr celebrates the unexpected scientific genius of Hedy Lamarr, Viennese-born Hollywood film star of the 1930s-1950s. Known as The Most Beautiful Woman in the World, Lamarr spent her spare time in Hollywood inventing new technology. She had stored away knowledge of munitions while married to Austrian arms dealer, Fritz Mandl. She employed this knowledge to support the US Navy’s war effort during WWII by inventing The Secret Communication System with composer George Antheil, to make torpedoes more accurate. Also known as Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum Technology, her invention is used today in cell phones, WiFi, CDMA, GPS, and Bluetooth. Heather Massie stars as Hedy Lamarr Direction - Blake Walton & Leslie Kincaid Burby Projections - Jim Marlowe & Charley Marlowe Sound Design - Jacob Subotnick & Andy Evan Cohen Dialects - Page Clements Technical Director - Dan Leary Photography - Al Foote III, Charley Marlowe, Monica Callan & Inspirefest.
Antigona by Jose Watanabe
9 - 13 July 2024
The sun rises on Thebes in the aftermath of a war between heirs as a Narradora breathes in the “transparent air” of peace, and the people briefly “start to forget” the violence. Ignoring pleas to “Listen to the People. Listen to the Heavens,” the new king denies burial rights to the losing brother, an act of tyranny with devastating consequences. Originally presented in 2000 by the Yuyachkani theatre, this radical remaking of Sophocles’ ancient Greek parable, brought to life by one woman, reflects the struggle for humanity to transcend oppression which leads to deafening silence, but does not bring peace. This project was made possible with the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Barons Court Theatre, Winchester Dondero Cultural Center, WEST: World of English Speaking Theatres, and Out of the Wings. Poster photo credit: Kiefer A Jones Translated into English by Cristina Pérez Díaz Directed by Sarah O'Connell Performed by Gigi Guizado
How Long do You Think It's Gonna Take?
1 - 6 July 2024
Meet Marco and Isabel, a couple mourning the loss of their dog, Alfie... But wait... aren't they dogs? What are they doing in a vet clinic? Alfie is not a dog... but a raccoon…? "How long do you think it's gonna take?" is a comedy play set across three parallel universes, where three couples will experience passionate love, sudden death, and apocalyptic woofs! Written by Cova Camblor and Alessandro De Cominato, and directed by Anca Vaida,"How long do you think it's gonna take?" explores how relationships can be both tragic and humorous. Written and performed by Cova Camblor & Alessandro de Cominato Directed by Anca Vaida
The Last Time I Saw Caileigh
11 - 22 June 2024
The Last Time I Saw Caileigh is a dark, funny and heartfelt one-act play that explores queer erasure through the lens of an unsolved mystery. When Caileigh Richardson goes missing, the three people closest to them point fingers at one another, and at the ever elusive “system”, as they recount their last few days with Caileigh and try to uncover what happened to them. It asks questions about gender, who we hold accountable for injustice... and fish sex changes. It was devised collaboratively by a small ensemble at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Cast: Caileigh - Tori Sasso Faruk - Harun Cehovic/Filip Mayer Maureen - Tiffany Elana King Maxime - Matthias Moret
Let Loose Sid by Calum MacArthur
28 May - 8 June 2024
Sid has experienced loneliness, grief, trauma, and homelessness since their mother went into a coma and, more recently, the death of their father. After finally finding a somewhat stable footing in life, they find their mother’s old dream journal. Sid discovers that lucid dreaming is much more than just a quirky anomaly of the night - it’s a superpower. Battling with the dangers of this newfound talent, Sid learns to push the limits of their dreaming abilities and must ultimately make the biggest decision of their life. Cast: Louis Walwyn Directed by Calum Mac Arthur
Poisoned Beds by Lucy Flannery & Greg Mosse
21 -25 May 2024
Poisoned Beds is the captivating story of one woman’s personal liberation set against the fight for suffrage and the death of the Victorian oyster industry. Sussex actress Paula Tinker gives a virtuoso performance in a superb one-act script by Lucy Flannery & Greg Mosse, accompanied on stage by much-loved theatre composer John Gleadall. The show is set in December 1918. Elizabeth Wells is preparing a concert to celebrate women’s suffrage and the end of the Great War. But she cannot celebrate the future without reconciling herself to her tragic past. Poisoned Beds is a collaboration between two highly-regarded theatre writers and will delight audiences with its clever combination of comedy and sadness, sharp dialogue, unexpected plot twists, and wonderfully witty lyrics. Cast: Paula Tinker, John Doyle
The Nine-Day Queen by Jen Tucker
14 - 19 May 2024
The Nine-Day Queen follows 15-year-old Lena and Rita. When an attack puts Lena in a coma, Rita sits by her side for nine days. Wracked by survivor’s guilt and overcome by rage and grief, she hallucinates the ghost of Lady Jane Grey. For nine days, Rita and Jane teach each other to be brave in a world where women’s bravery can feel futile. An intergenerational exploration of female plight through the ages, The Nine-Day Queen interrogates female resistance and celebrates the power of sisterhood in the face of adversity. A show by Itchy Feet Theatre Company. Writer and Director – Jen Tucker Movement Director – Elise Gibson Stage Manager, Sound and Lighting Designer – Beth Scott Cast: Maddy White - Lena Moya Matthews - Rita Samantha Allison - Lady Jane Grey Lizzie O'Reilly - Val
Three Queens by Rosamund Gravelle
23 April - 11 May 2024
A forgotten moment of English history comes to life at Barons Court Theatre this spring with the debut play from Rosamund Gravelle. February, 1554. Queen Mary wears the crown of a nation divided by religion. Before the dawn breaks, confessions will be made, prayers will be sent, and more than one life will hang in the balance. Queen Mary is determined to save the soul of England. Future Queen Elizabeth is desperate to avoid her mother’s fate, and teenage Queen Jane Grey’s rebellion seeks to unravel everything. Told in real time over one sleepless night, the play follows three women maneuvering for power, each carving out their place in history. Cast: Becky Black - Mary I Martha Crow - Lady Jane Grey Eliza Shea - Elizabeth I Les Kenny - Green - Reginald Pope Sally Sharp - Kat Ashley Sushant Shekhar - Sir Robert Dudley Directed by Sharon Willems Music by Dimitri Kennaway Lighting Design by Leo Bacica Produced by Kibo Productions & Rosamund Gravelle
Deaf as a Post by Shaun Blaney
9 - 20 April 2024
'Does anyone hear me? Over. Hear me? Over... One more time?' In a dystopian London, hordes of mindless 'Loopers' infect their prey with corrupted clickbait. One d/Deaf solider named Goody must embrace his deafness and use it as a weapon to save the ones he loves. Deaf as a Post emerges as a powerful testament to the need for connection and communication in a world overwhelmed by noise. Its 'Black Mirror' meets 'A Quiet Place', by way of 'Call of Duty Zombies'! Penned by award-winning actor Shaun Blaney (d/Deaf), this play is a personal and vigorous exploration of high-frequency hearing loss and the profound impact it has on individuals, their friends and family. Directed by Emma Copland, who brought us the Bewley's Cafe award-winning Slippery When Wet, three incredible performers seamlessly multi-role in a disturbingly familiar world. A unique soundscape invites you to experience the challenges of those living with hearing aids and hearing loss, all within the gripping embrace of a fantastically wry narrative. A story where silence speaks louder than words. Cast: Shaun Blaney, Victoria Johnston, Nuala McGowan
Sweet Nothings by Raegan Payne
2 - 7 April 2024
Monty Python meets Taylor Swift in this night of love gone wrong, and oh so very right. Sweet Nothings: Four Short Comedies... like your last relationship In a Hole: 3 women wait to hear from loved ones trapped in a mine. What they hear is the truth. Things Unsaid: A date, translated into English Ill-Informed: Olivia is really bad at living. Oliver is really bad at stalking. Thank god they’re going to meet. Sweet Nothings: Mary has made the most important discovery of her life. Now, no one will leave her alone to enjoy it. American playwright Raegan Payne’s four award-winning short comedies take audiences through modern romance – from unashamedly pursuing pleasure to dealing with chronic misinformation... we mean lies. Cast: Nicola Rockhill, Lily Rogers, Colette O’’Brien, Jack Crutch, Niall Burns Writer: Raegan Payne Director: Ed Hulme Co-Director: Liv Gillman Producer: Johanna Heanley
The Closure and the Quest
26 - 30 March 2024
Quest for the Mongolian Death Worm by Liam O'Grady From Greenwich Hill to the Gobi Desert three strangers join forces to hunt down the mythical Mongolian Death Worm. Around campfires, under desert stars, lost in sandstorms and frozen canyons, their deadly quest tests each of them to their limits as their own personal demons surface out of the unforgiving desert. Will they perish or will they find the strength to face-up to the most terrifying monster of them all? The Distressed Table by Melville Lovatt Christine visits Bernard’s furniture shop and spots a coffee table she decides to buy. She insists, however, on certain conditions which Bernard, finds unacceptable. As the two haggle over its quality and price, the distressed table, having drawn them together, seems to underline the distress in their lives. Will it also be pivotal in changing their lives as both of them desperately need to move on? Director: Josh Hinds Assistant Director: George Derry Cast: Aysha Niwaz, Jo Sutherland, and Daniel Subin
X
19 - 23 March 2024
It's been six months since the last contact from Earth. The astronauts of a second-rate supply mission struggle with their place in the universe, waiting on Pluto for rescue. As the walls close in and the cracks grow, they see shadows outside the window... Cast & Crew GILDA: Rhiannon Carr MATTIE: Joanna Mills CLARK: Thom Short COLE: Jack Curtin RAY: Ashley Wilce Voice Performance: Iris Cameron & May Carlton Director: Lloyd Smith Assistant Director: Helena Bumpus Tech: Carl Fletcher Intimacy Coordinator: Justin Stirewalt Music Credits: Zoë Blade
Still Life with Onions
12 - 16 March 2024
The war is over, and the Allies have won. Britain has ambitious plans to rebuild. But a year after VE-day, victory celebrations are a distant memory; rationing and austerity are all around, while pain and loss are in surplus. Far too many people have lost family, or friendships, or livelihoods. In a grimy tenement block, three survivors bond together. An English country girl, a London shop assistant and a refugee from Germany find themselves in new conflict with each other and with their own regrets. As if that isn't enough, the coldest winter in living memory is just around the corner. As the city turns first white and then grey, fortunes and spirits fall as low as the mercury. Will the three artists take up arms against their pasts to find their own true peace? Cast Naomi Bowman Kieran Dobson Christopher Kouros Olivia Steele Written by Rob Burbidge Directed by Amalia Kontesi Sound design: Sam Tannenbaum Set design: Sofia Palma Costume design: Vasiliki Verousi
Bunny Man
5 - 9 March 2024
Chris is a transgender man who wants nothing more than to fit into London’s gay scene. All he cares about is how much sex he’s having and with whom, but things get messy when he becomes embroiled in a secret affair. He leaves London behind for a camping trip that turns truly bizarre. Lost in the woods, he meets the cryptid known as Bunny Man. Discover what it means to exist outside of expectation in this supernatural take on the trans experience. Written and performed by Christopher Liebermann Directed by Jacob Freda
Hinohara Village
27 February - 2 March 2024
In an untouched mountainous area of Tokyo prefecture, there’s a village called Hinohara – a quiet place except perhaps for a cursed execution tree, a necromantic cat, and hairy ogre women. Barons Court Theatre hosted a limited run of newly translated tales from the region along with stories about the Hinohara storytellers themselves. Doubtful Sound is a Japanese theatre company currently based in London. They have performed folktales from around Japan in ancient temples, at festivals, over rivers, in Japanese gardens, and at theatres in Japan and England. This World Premiere is a selection of mysterious folktales from an area of Tokyo many won’t have heard of, along with traditional music and dance. Translated, written, and performed by Doubtful Sound Music and Dance performed by Sherry Sugita Doubtful Sound are: Shinako Wakatsuki (Actor/translation) Gavin Harrington-Odedra (actor) Andrew Wakatsuki-Robinson (Writer/Director)
180° Chord
20 -24 February 2024
You’re the pride of the police force. Your conviction rates are unbelievable. You’re so ruthless and unethical; some say you’re like a criminal yourself. And there’s no fate or consequence for you, just facts. But what happens when they both unexpectedly come calling one afternoon? One moment you’re a detective sergeant and the next, a convicted murderer. Then due to an administration ‘error’, you end up in the very same maximum-security prison you sent most of your scalps to. So what then? As soon as the news of your arrival at the prison spreads, the riot starts and they come looking for you. As the prisoners begin their rampage, a fellow inmate, Connor hides you in his cell. Together you flee and hide from the gang in various parts of the prison as they frantically seek you out. But who is Connor and why is he protecting you exactly? The reason will soon become abundantly clear as your past life now comes back to haunt you. Cast: Paul Findlay, Vincent Fox
The Life and Death of Richard III
6 -10 February 2024
Richard, Duke of Gloucester fresh from the conclusion of The Wars of The Roses remains dissatisfied and still ruthlessly ambitious, nothing and no one will stand in his way. Bloody, charming and imaginative is his modus operandi, bloody will be the end.
Stimmicanto
30 January - 3 February 2024
Autistic surrealist Paggy will guide you through a high-energy adventure where 'stimming' and 'encanto' ('joy' in Spanish) join forces to create the ultimate hour of offbeat comedy. Discover what unites paintbrushes, condiments, and human psychology. Get ready for a visit from a pun master. Find out if it is possible to have conversations with your brain and why ruling a game show might just be what you need. Exciting, thought-provoking exploration of life through an autistic lens. Get ready for a journey through a literal mind where unfiltered joy is strictly encouraged.
Fire Embers Ash
16 - 27 January 2024
It’s the Second World War and the Soviet Union makes the unprecedented move to establish the first all-female aviation regiment. Fire Embers Ash tells the extraordinary true story of five of those fearless pioneers, who took to the skies and battled the Nazis. Known as Night Witches by the Germans, these women were intensely knowledgeable and would do whatever it took to defend their country. Join this remarkable regiment of women as they bond in the face of adversity and battle amongst the stars. Cast: Henriette Larsen as Martina Raskova Maria Masonou as Yevgeniya Rudneva Yvonne Maxwell as Natalya Meklin Stephanie vad Dreisen as Nadezhda Popova Maya Waghorn as Lydia Litvyak Directed by Stephen Smith
Paved with Gold and Ashes
16 - 27 January 2024
1911. New York City is flooded with immigrants from all over Europe hoping for a new life. The Triangle Shirtwaist factory is one of the most coveted places to work. Some say that in America the streets are paved with gold, full of wealth and opportunities, but is this true for five young factory workers? Based on a true event, taking place over the course of one Saturday in March, Paved with Gold and Ashes explores what it means to be a woman and an immigrant, each young woman daydreaming about the life she wishes to live once her promise of the American dream has been fulfilled. But battling poverty, capitalism, and unfair working conditions, their dreams may just turn to ashes. CAST: Everleigh Brenner as Rose Olivia Gaidry as Annie Serena Lehman as Ida Caroline Letelier as Rosaria Julia Thurston as Lucia
One Year Itch
9 - 13 January 2024
Tania has her heart set on her dream job but has she unwittingly placed a curse on her dating life? Our heroine, ably assisted by her bestie Jayne, comes face to face with the trials and tribulations of lesbian courtship. Emotional unavailability, overfamiliar mothers, and blatant catfishing abound in this not-so-romantic comedy. Can she realise her ambition to become organizer of the hottest ticket in town? Will she be doomed to remain everyone’s favourite singleton? And, honestly, was it really all about the Moroccan room? Award-winning actor Anca Vaida leads an all-female and non-binary cast in this brand-new LGBTQI+ play from Awkward Branch Productions. Cast and Creatives: Anca Vaida - Tania Hagi Iona McTaggart - Jayne Matthews Tizzy Kanouche - Betty Laine Jhané Gibson - Louisa Peters Buddleia Maslen - Tilly Montgomery Jean Woollard - Mrs Beryl Montgomery Susan Hoffman - Freya Larsen Ozzy Algar - Vitoria De Luca Kelly Craige - Gillian Clark Andrew Phipps - Director Alice Catanzaro - Stage Manager
2023
A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens
20 -23 December 2023
Continuing Charles Dickens' tradition of performing the text live, and using Dickens' original abridged text, comedian Mitch Benn brings the beloved story to life for four performances only!
Baptism by Fire
by Rex Lee
14 - 16 December 2023
Come one, come all, and experience the final work of legendary Bulgarian playwright Stanislav Hristov (1941-????). With the playwright’s unfortunate disappearance, only one scene was completed. Now if only someone informed the play’s two characters. Join them as they reckon with their meaningless lives and delay the play's inevitable end. This one-hour-long new work is an existential horror-comedy that explores male friendship and tackles the relationship between characters, the playwright, and the audience. Cast: Rex Lee Connor Rowlett Directed by Emma Tolleson Written and Produced by Rex Lee Co-produced by Valeria Suaste and Hannah Limbrick
Car Crash
by Bruno Magnanti
5 - 9 December 2023
On the final day of the January transfer window, the chairman of a high-profile football club loses its top player. Now, with no time remaining, he must sign a replacement - all while balancing his crumbling career, broken marriage, and anxiety. DIRECTOR: Bruno Magnanti CAST: Michael Byers, Craig Edgley, Tremont Deigh, Victoria Sasso, Jonny Magnanti LIGHTING/STAGE MANAGER: Tasmin Wickremeratne
The Lamb Disagrees
by Eratle Wang
28 November - 2 December 2023
Willow is living through her worst nightmare. Not only has she discovered that her boyfriend is married, but his wife has just been murdered. And she is the main suspect. Worse still, her world isn’t her own, but the creation of Aaron, a crime novelist desperate for a bestseller. He thinks writing a novel with a Chinese-immigrant at its centre will tick everyone’s boxes. Aaron has decided that Willow will be his sacrificial lamb, but what happens when the lamb disagrees? Winner of the 2023 Vaults Festival Origin Award for new writing, The Lamb Disagrees is Eratle Wang’s debut play. Kibo Productions is thrilled to produce Eratle’s ambitious, unflinching take down of the western gaze on East Asian women. Cast: Gawa Leung, Martina Greenwood, Gerrie Skeens, Ben Butler Directed by Sharon Willems
Hans, the Witch and the Gobbin
by Allan Cullen
21 - 25 November 2023
Hans, the Witch and the Gobbin by Alan Cullen is a fun fairytale frolic through a fantasy forest. It has princesses, witches, forest queens, goblin-like creatures, fairy swineherds, and useless court physicians. Expect silly voices, big characters, and mistaken identities. Come and escape a cold autumn night for a few hours, and forget your troubles! While the show is suitable for all ages, we judge it’s best enjoyed by an adult audience, glass of wine in hand. Cast: Hans – Theo Tompkins Princess Alicia – Mhairi Boyle Castor – James Cross Senna – Dan Struthers King Rufus – Peader Donnelly Scratch – Georgina Whittaker Daisy – Sarah Beebe Crabtree – Alice McCartney Sylvester – Simon Berry Queen of the Forest – Sarah Jost Gobbin – Hannah Brown Crew: Director – Gabriella Guymer-Davies Assistant Director – Freddie Wride Stage Manager – Flick Hemming Poster by Jake Guymer-Davies
Hamlet
by William Shakespeare
14 - 18 November 2023
Shakespeare’s greatest work is presented in an intimate, stripped down production that ventures to answer the question, “Who’s there?” Our version of Hamlet will show that everyone can play Hamlet. Or Ophelia. Or Horatio, Rosencrantz, or… You get the idea. We will be exploring who Hamlet and the other characters are when they are played by actors of all backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, and genders. We’ll keep all the famous speeches, do away with anything that isn’t interesting, and create our own version of this fantastic story. Cast: Elshadai Biru Sean Calvey El Chen Janina Enrile Jonathan Lazarovitch Yen-yen Loke Oral Norville Josie Stephens Tanvi Surana Director – Karack Osborn
A Woman on Fire
by Sarah Majland
7 - 11 November 2023
What would happen if you just lit a match and put your whole life on fire? Harper has everything - she is an aspiring writer, she has a husband who loves her, a big house, and a beautiful daughter. But it doesn’t take much digging under the surface to realize that something is rotten. Set in the late 1950s, A Woman On Fire is a thrilling four-hander that follows a young woman struggling with addiction and depression as a consequence of untreated postpartum depression. With her husband finding himself tangled in a forbidden relationship with another man and on the brink of leaving, Therese, the family’s nanny, seems to be the only hope. But people have their own agendas and you have to be careful who you trust. Cast: Sarah Majland as Harper Boyan Petrov as Mark Öncel Camcı as Oliver Chloe Winney as Therese Directed by: Casper Aagaard Written by: Sarah Majland
We are Monsters x Glass
by Just a Regular House
24 October - 4 November 2023
“This isn’t… how the story goes.” Caitlyn and Kyle enjoy playing pranks and scaring campers on Lake Windermere, but their harmless fun turns into trouble when they’re tracked down by a nearby ghost-whisperer in ‘We Are Monsters.’ Upon the ninth floor of a skyscraper on Halloween night, a terrified Brody Jenkins receives an ominous phone call from a stranger on a broken-down train, in ‘Glass’. Directed by: Zach Wyatt Designed by: Laura Mugford Cast: Joseph Ryan-Hughes Laura Mugford Moses Alexander in 'We Are Monsters' Connor McCrory in 'Glass'
All's Well that Ends
by Andreea Tanase
17 - 21 October 2023
'Do you remember the day you got married? Did you make promises to each other? So did we. We made a lot of promises . . . Did you see them through?' You’re invited to the divorce party of Daria and Radu, two of your close friends who are splitting up. Together, we’ll toast to what was and could have been as we follow their investigation into where love was lost. But will going back through their time together divide them even further, or will memories of the good times make them question their choice? Witty and fast-paced, All’s Well That Ends is a darkly comedic, forensic journey into the romantic failures of our once happy couple. Join us for their last hurrah in all its beautiful, awkward glory. Cast: Nico Marica, Gerardo Cabal Directed by Leo Bacica
fell
by Chris Salt
2 - 7 October 2023
Troubled schoolboy Lyle walks out of his life and up into the mountains of the Lake District. On the edge of a mountain lake, he meets Jake, whose life is as far removed from Lyle’s as possible. Over the course of 24 hours, Lyle and Jake chip away at each other until they are no longer sure who they really are or what the future holds for them. At the mercy of the elements, all they have is each other. Chris Salt's play fell is a compelling and moving story of two young, funny, sensitive lads trapped by the poverty of hope and facing the challenges of friendship whilst growing up as a young adult in a rural community. “'fell' is a gift from heaven ... The script is so tight. Each word counting to bringing humour and drama to situations which are upsetting and very real." (North West End)
Queering the Canon
Kibo Productions
26 - 30 September 2023
A week where non-binary theatre makers held conversations, shared new work, and ran workshops around questions of gender and representation on stage. Additionally, the Barons Court Theatre donated time for genderqueer companies and artists to use the theatre for R&D's.
Reboot Festival 3
Kibo Productions
5 -23 September 2023
Week 1 (5-9 September): Little Black Dress by John Mabey, directed by Pamela Farrugia Closing Doors by John Minigan, directed by Sharon Willems Just Nod by Anna Clart, directed by Vittorio Parri Bound Set by Stephen Dierkes, directed by Sebastiao Marques Lopes My Ghost by Nina Tolstoy, directed by Jagoda Kamov The Dating Pool by Arianna Rose, directed by Hannah Gooden Week 2 (12-16 September): The Dying Speech of a Living Legend by Daniel Connelly, directed by Anna Clart Spark by Siân Rowland, directed by Isabella Forshaw Road Trip by Katherine Vondy, directed by Chelsea Sheldon Things Unsaid by Raegan Payne, directed by Ed Hulme Week 3 (19-23 Sptember): Two Girls by Allie Costa, directed by Beth Graham The Will of the People by Andrew Allen, directed by Amalia Kontesi Nil by Sea by Katie Pollock, directed by Estrella Mabika The Chronicles by Anna Halas, directed by Josh Hinds Drawing under the Microscope by Janine Sobeck Knighton, directed by Leo Bacica Like Clockwork by Andrada Anglieri, directed by David Frias-Roblas The Lock by Katherine Swan, directed by Sharon Willems
Slippery When Wet
by Leanne Devlin
22 August -2 September 2023
“I didn’t expect Love to show up, At my dreary new job. If we made eye contact I might explode. Cleanup in aisle four.” Getting a grip on love, life and everything is tricky, and just when she thinks she’s got a firm footing, Love unexpectedly slides into her…workplace! This makes for a slippery love story, with slippery floors and a very slippery vagina. Does she abandon her lifelong dreams to swim in the balmy waters of Love? Slippery When Wet is a one-woman show written and performed by Leanne Devlin. Witty, wistful, and gushing with emotion, this story is a reminder that you can only really jump into love when you have both your feet firmly planted on the ground.
Heart
by Reece Lewis
8 - 19 August 2023
A love letter to all the gay men in London Tyler is a 24-year-old gay man. He loves his mum, his friends, and partying. But there’s more to this story than what’s on the surface. Tyler wants to be loved deeply and passionately by somebody. But in the age of Grindr and hook-ups, it’s not as easy as it seems.
Pretty Witty Nell
by Ryan J W Smith
18 - 22 July 2023
Smith’s 7th verse play, Pretty, Witty Nell® is a new and original one-woman tragicomic history, written entirely in rhyming iambic pentameter, that tells the true story of Nell Gwynne, the famous actress and mistress of the wild British monarch, King Charles II. In the introduction to his forthcoming book of plays, ‘Rogue Shakespeare®: 3 plays’ which includes Pretty, Witty Nell®, Smith says he wrote the one-woman show as a celebration of both women on the stage; and of Nell, “a one-woman force of nature.” Smith asks, rhetorically, “what better way to celebrate the life of this absolutely amazing woman than by writing her a tribute in the style of theatre (rhyming iambic verse) that made her famous?” Pretty, Witty Nell® is indeed the first ever play about Nell Gwynne written in iambic verse. The world premiere took place in Hollywood, California, in June 2019, where it delighted audiences and reviewers alike: “a standout solo show - perfect!” - Broadway World Pretty, Witty Nell® was also nominated for the Hollywood Fringe International Award – an award which Smith previously won twice in 2015 & 2016 with his verse plays, Love Labours Won and MacDeth! respectively. Starring Hannah Attfield, Pretty, Witty Nell® (50 mins) played 6 unmissable performances at Barons Court Theatre!
So... You Knew?
by Bartolomeo Bartolini
11 - 15 July 2023
“...we have already done more than Greenpeace ever will to reduce emissions.” - Lee Raymond, ExxonMobil CEO until 2005 So… You Knew? is a gripping physical theatre drama that follows the life of Willie, a young scientist who discovers the truth about climate change back in 1982 while working for EcsonWobil (sounds familiar?). The show takes us on a journey through Willie's life until 2023, as he battles with his conscience and his desire for financial stability, while also facing pressure from his colleagues and bosses to suppress his findings. Drawing from real people, real statements and advertising from the fossil fuel industry and real scientific evidence, this compelling story is made up of hundreds of hours of research and hundreads of hours of having fun with it. This high-energy, inspiring one-man show So… You Knew? immerses the audience in a dynamic and multi-sensory experience, utilising projections, sound effects, and compelling video footage to create a truly engaging and memorable performance. Willie's story makes us wonder “what would you do if you discovered a truth that threatened everything you knew?”. Join us for an unforgettable exploration of one man's struggle to do the right thing, while doing all the wrong things. Performer: Bartolomeo Bartolini Director: Maria Cristina Petitti Technician: Alice Catanzaro
The Therapist
by Gabriela Yepes
4 - 8 July 2023
How do you look the enemy in the eye? A human rights lawyer, accustomed to solving unwanted cases, receives an unusual proposal: to organize a yoga workshop for the leaders of Peru’s most notorious terrorist groups: The Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) and MRTA (Movimiento Revolucionario Tupac Amaru). The men are serving life sentences in a maximum-security prison since their arrest in the early 90s. Abimael Guzmán, Shining Path’s leader, is one of them. All prisoners have the right to rehabilitation. But how do you teach wellness skills to the perpetrators of the bloodiest civil conflict in contemporary Peruvian history? Can those responsible for such suffering change? To address these questions, the therapist confronts a group of now aged, fragile looking men, who remain invisible on stage. The sheer act of standing there, with the audience as witness, strengthens her resolve to confront her own family history. The Therapist is above all a settling of accounts with past demons. The play takes us back in time through our protagonist’s early years, marked by abandonment, and solitude. A time when violence stalked her country, as well as her home. Awards: Premio Luces 2019 Best Peruvian Play: La Terapeuta de Gabriela Yepes (Teatro de la Alianza Francesa) Written by Gabriela Yepes Directed by Sarah O'Connell Translated and performed by Gigi Guizado
The 2 Gentlemen of Verona
after William Shakespeare
27 June - 2 July 2023
“An intense ritual of youth. If Shakespeare were alive, he would have come to see this piece.” —NorthWestEnd Welsh creative Evan L. Barker’s new version of the under-cherished drama-comedy presents a bold and surprising hybrid of classical and contemporary text. Creating the modern-day school system; following sixth-form students navigating their way through the social hierarchy; into their adult life. Going between Verona (State Comprehensive), Milan (Private) & Mantua (Military School) Exploring corrupted youth, naive love, friendship & betrayal. With themes of class, loneliness, and abandonment.
Laika
by Aliya Gilmore
20 -24 June 2023
1958. A thousand miles above the mighty USSR. Last recorded transmission from the burning Sputnik 2. 'She melts you know. The snowchild. She melts...' Laika is trapped in a cardboard box, hurtling at 18,000mph into the unknown perils of space. But she isn't alone - the walls bend as she fills her square world with stories of wondrous planets made of fire, smoke and ash. Featuring live music, physical theatre and cutting-edge tech, Gilmore's story takes us on the final hours of Laika's infamous voyage, celebrating the soul who was the first to dance among the stars. Cast Isabel McGrady Ben Willows
One Day When We Were Young
by Nick Payne
29 May - 3 June 2023
“I am scared, that once this war is over, and I am sent home, that you won’t be here. That you might be gone.” Leonard and Violet, young, restless, and in love, spend their first night together knowing it may also be their last. It’s 1942 and, in a hotel room in Bath, they dream of their future while preparing for Leonard’s departure to the war. But the bombs begin to fall and their world will never be the same again. In the year 2002, the couple looks back at what might have been. Creatives: Written by Nick Payne Director Connor McCrory Designer Laura Mugford Produced by Just a Regular House Cast Laura Mugford Joseph Ryan-Hughes Nick Payne’s One Day When We We’re Young premiered at the Crucible Studio, Sheffield, in October 2011 in a Paines Plough and Sheffield Theatres production as part of the first Roundabout Season. This production has been licensed by arrangement with Curtis Brown Group Ltd.
At Birth
by Thalia Kane and Ty Autry
16 - 20 May 2023
What could possibly go wrong when one drunken night Anna, very gay, and Isaac, very very gay, have sex to heal from a breakup? What follows is a journey covering themes of queer families, abortion rights in the South, and the pursuit of building community, no matter how untypical. This queer dark comedy navigates blurred family lines, friendship, and dealing with the unexpected consequences life can throw at a person. At Birth is written, performed, and designed by Ty Autry (A Southern Fairytale) a genderqueer Southern creative, and Thalia Gonzalez Kane (A Drunk Lesbian Love Affair) a queer, Ecuadorian-Canadian multidisciplinary artist, and theatre scholar. Collectively, they've performed in North America, Australia, and Europe numerous times, garnering multiple awards and critical acclaim for their work on elevating queer voices. Directing the production is Atlanta-based, award-winning director Melissa Foulger (Artistic Director, DramaTech). Rounding out the creative team is Intimacy Director, Monty Davis (Atlanta-based fight and intimacy choreographer) and Dramaturge, Kat Sandler (Toronto-based award-winning playwright and screenwriter).
Totally Trucked
by Katie Damer
9 - 13 May 2023
“In a world so full of hate, misunderstanding, and separation, we as people find love. It’s what gets us through, isn’t it? Love is how we survive.” Growing up is hard enough, but when disaster strikes for Katie in the form of a ten-tonne truck, there is a whole other world of problems she has to deal with. Totally Trucked is a rollercoaster of a one-woman show written and performed by Katie Damer. Heartbreaking, hilarious, and incredibly raw, this unique story is an astounding reminder of human strength and the power of holding out hope. Creative team: Katie Damer (Writer and performer) Naseem Partington (Producer) Kirsti Burch (Marketing Liason)
Trumpets and Raspberries
By Dario Fo
18 April - 6 May 2023
TRUMPETS & RASPBERRIES (Clacson, Trombette e Pernacchi) By DARIO FO, Nobel Prize Winner. A madcap political satire and farce about corruption and hypocrisy in high places and the plight of the common man versus the rich elites and the too-powerful corporations and institutions. Set in politically turbulent 1980s Italy, Antonio is a downtrodden shop steward at the Fiat Factory where Gianni Agnelli is the conceited, fabulously wealthy, famous boss. During a bungled kidnap attempt of Agnelli, presumed to be by Left-wing terrorists, Antonio an innocent bystander, saves him without realizing who he is. The hospital treating Agnelli, together with the authorities, believes their severely disfigured patient to be Antonio, and that he is one of the terrorists involved in the kidnap. It is a case of mistaken identity and absolute mayhem ensues in true Fo style! Cast: Alex Smith, Barbra Dunin, Simon Allder, Hannah Dormor, Leyon Stolz Hunter, Dorota Krimmel, Yasir Senna, Ian Crosson, Thea Rubina Directed by Gerrie Skeens
Force of Habit
by Roz Wylie
28 March - 1 April 2023
There should be a siren when love starts to leave. But it’s not like that. It’s a daily creep. John and Martha fall in love and prepare for a life of joy together. Things are good, but never quite perfect, and the two lovers are trying their darndest but they can’t quite seem to get on the same page. Until one day, destiny happens. Kibo Productions present their first show of the year, a bittersweet romantic comedy from the pen of Roz Wyllie, starring May López and Michael Hajiantonis, and directed by Leo Bacica.
Slither
by Carson Kreitzer
21 - 25 March 2023
"This country'd be a whole hell of a lot different if every woman had a snake." Eve. A Cretan snake priestess. A 1930s burlesque snake dancer. And the modern woman who needs their stories. Slither is a modern feminist fable about family, faith, and finding your strength. ...with snakes. Creative team: Director: Sarah Beebe Assistant Director: Darcy Calcraft Cast: Adela McBrine Antonia Kasoulidou Anuli Changa Freddie Wride Keir Pagett-Mills Malavika Suresh Sarah Jost Sarah-Luna Ace
Love Songs in London
by Lauren Ava Thomas
14 - 19 March 2023
‘Love Songs in London’ is a joyful collage of the messy, crazy, uncomfortable, intimate, filthy, unpredictable, and slightly absurd encounters one has when living in the big smoke. It’s a southbound service of songs to stories to real conversations with the lovers of London. It will take a tour around the romantic alleyways of Aldwych, sit back and hear the titillating tales of the tube and learn just how erotic the exhibitions in the V&A can be. Mind the gap between your beating heart and Cupid’s bow and arrow. This process and production has been generously supported by the Earls Court Development Company. Written and performed by Lauren Ava Thomas
My Dead
by Carolyn Hartvigsen
3 - 4 March 2023
My Dead is the story of a woman who finds her life through her dead. Uncovering letters and autobiographies from her deceased grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great grandparents, and even great-great-great grandparents, she is shocked to discover her ancestors from England, Wales, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, and Mexico are passing down shared experiences that will alter the course of her life... leading her to ask: "My Dead. Do I really know them?" My Dead was originally developed as a 25 min thesis project at LAMDA in 2021. It has since developed into an hour long one woman play that is now embarking on a multi-country tour.
The High Life
by Scott Younger
14 - 19 February 2023
The High Life is a one-woman play about Kayla, a twenty-something black woman who is desperate to get out of her service industry job, and therefore enters the PR industry. It is a funny, vibrant, truthful piece about the lure and danger of toxic work environments, full of personal revelations, clandestine romance and some home truths that hit a modern audience hard. Directed by Sarah Githugu Performed by Feyshara Mendes Light Design by Josie Ireland
Bloody Influencers
by Ben Mansbridge
7 - 11 February 2023
Bloody Influencers is a comedy about influencer Daisy Woolworth aka Lucija Antonija Matic, Instagram queen, who goes on a journey of finding something real in a world where everything she has is fake, starting with the feelings between her and her fiancé. She is on a journey of self-discovery when she faces an accident that causes her to change and find out what matters: the real connection with others, real care, and love that changes her life as she decides to go to therapy. Directed by Sofia Zaragoza Performed by Ena Begovic
I am NOT Black
by Akin Wright
30 January - 4 February 2023
Temz Thomas has been asked to give a speech at his old school about how his time there shaped him into the man he is today. While searching his old bedroom for his Blackberry from when he was in school Temz goes on a nostalgic trip down memory lane. In this solo performance, writer Akin Wright is asking the question where do you fit in when you're ‘too white for the black kids and too white for the white kids’? 'I am not Black' is a one-man show written and performed by Akin Wright and directed by Joseph Junkere
Morveren
by Kate Webster
17 - 28 January 2023
Ambitious banker Keren is determined to make her mark. In a male-dominated industry, she’s learned that the way to get ahead is to speak loudly, strut your stuff, and sell sell sell. But the siren’s song is calling her name, drawing her back to her roots. Meanwhile, Keren’s grandmother Morwen knows it’s time to pass down her wisdom, knowledge and place in her grieving community. Inheriting the village’s leadership was never part of Keren’s plan, but her daughter, mermaid-obsessed Ellie, loves it here. Drawing on Cornish mythology, Morveren is centered around a hidden coastal village where women make the rules and no one has to shout to be heard. Using theatrical magic and a digital choir to imagine an alternative way of living, Morveren is a celebration of community and a coming of age for three generations of women. Directed by Lou Corben Cast: Charlotte Blandford, Aysha Niwaz, Alessandra Perotto
2022
A Christmas Carol
by Adam Z Robinson after Charles Dickens
7 - 24 December 2022
Join Ebenezer Scrooge as he journeys into the past, present and yet-to-come on a supernatural journey to redemption. Watch with delight as the atmosphere of Victorian London is brought to life and the ghosts of Christmas return from the dead – all through the spellbinding art of storytelling in this thrilling solo show. After the phenomenal success of national tours of Shivers and Upon the Stair, The Book of Darkness & Light returns with this haunting adaptation of the most famous festive ghost story ever written.
My Dad Wears a Dress
by Maria Telnikoff
22 -26 November 2022
A one-woman show about growing up with a transgender dad: the highs, the lows and the heels! Based on real life, "My Dad Wears A Dress" follows a girl's journey, from childhood to youth, navigating a world in which all the dads she knows are men. Filled with hilarious tales from her school days (from toilet mishaps to failed Valentine's Day confessions), it shows the difficulties of fitting in as a young person and the fears we feel about being labeled “outside the box”. Brimming with life and sincerity, the play challenges a world of heteronormative values, from the struggles of buying a Fathers’ Day card to the questions raised describing one’s family in a French lesson. “My Dad Wears A Dress” is a celebration of difference and acceptance. Suitable for all audiences enjoy a fun, zany show that asks what it means to have a "normal family"
Henry IV
by William Shakespeare
15 -19 November 2022
Henry IV is a story of power, honour and rebellion. The king has the weight of the world on his shoulders. All he wants is a united kingdom, and to take his army to the Holy Land - Jerusalem. But he’s being held back by issues closer to home - the rebelling nobleman who helped him to the throne and his wayward son, Hal. Can he get his home and country in order so that he can fulfil his destiny? Loosely based on true history, this new version of Shakespeare’s Henry IV by KDC Theatre has been adapted from the two plays that normally tell the story of this noble and troubled king. Cast Archbishop of York / Peto – Gwendolyn Blangy Earl of Northumberland / Bardolph – Iacopo Farusi Earl of Westmoreland – David Lindley-Pilley Earl of Worcester – Govind Hodgson Harry ‘Hotspur’ Percy – Josie Stephens Lady Percy / Lancaster – Ditta Demeter King Henry IV – David Pearson Poins / Lord Hastings – Benjamin Gustilo Prince Hal – Calvin Crawley Sir John Falstaff – Jon Foster Sir Richard Vernon – Peter Cabrera Crew Director - Nick Mouton Assistant Director - Izzi Richardson Producer - Ben Hussey Intimacy Co-ordinator - Kimberley Barker Additional Music - Morag Galloway Assistant Stage Manager - Frederica Byron
A Butcher of Distinction
by Rob Hayes
1 -12 November 2022
Two orphaned twins are forced out of the rural wilderness they know and into a bleak, brutal London that they don’t. Seeking refuge in a dank pub basement, they begin to plan their escape, only to find themselves locked in a nightmarish battle with a grieving stranger over their dead father’s sordid legacy. Hayes’ blisteringly-witty black comedy is set in a basement of a pub, so what better place to see it, than in a basement of a pub? Written by: Rob Hayes Director: Macadie Amoroso Designer: Laura Mugford Produced by: Just a Regular House Cast Connor McCrory Joseph Ryan-Hughes Ethan Reid A Butcher of Distinction was first performed at The Cock Tavern Theatre, London on the 3rd April 2011. This production has been licensed by arrangement with The Agency (London) Ltd, 24 Pottery Lane, London W11 4LZ.
Reboot Festival 2
by Kibo Productions
18 October - 3 December 2022
Each week features a different line up of new writing gems. There's truly something for everyone in these funny and heartbreaking gems of new writing. Week 1: Growing Into My Skin Written and performed by: Ioana Goga Directed by: Leo Bacica Asides Written and Directed by: Jake Hart Cast: Abbie Blackburn (Dodi), Nicole Haddon (Ava) DOA Writer: Rich Yu Director: Jimmy Walters Cast: Alex Smith (Rich) Feathers Writer: Scott Younger Director: Jagoda Kamov Cast: Magdalena Ivanova (Amber) , Michael Molino (Robin) Finding a Voice Writer: Samantha Priestley Director: Anastazie Toros Cast: Iskra Everhys (Cat's Voice), Marianne Kelly (Cat), Matthew John Wright (Alan) Week 2: The Son of Man Writer: Sebastiao Marques Lopes Director: Beth Graham Cast: Emily Millwood (Patrick), Matthew John Wright (Matthew) Possum Trot Writer: Kathy Rucker Director: Locke Earle Cast: Gerrie Skeens (Maxine) My Beautiful Distraction Writer: Jonny Brace Director: Amalia Kontesi Cast: Hannah Dormor (Clara) , Olive McHugh (Paige), Simon D'Aquino (Gabe) Moon Child Writer: Nina Tolstoy Director: Sharon Willems Cast: Karen Bartholomew (Mother), Martha Crow (Charlie), Romulus Hotea (Roman/Beekeper/Doctor) The Soprano Writer: Amalia Kontesi Director: Sam Tannenbaum Cast: Veronica Sarno (Mary), Mark Keegan (Joseph Radinsky) Winter Tales Writer: Alina Rios Director: Emma Copland Cast: Emma Humpston (Eva), Daniel Lipton (Mark) Week 3: Touch Writer: Sally Sheringham Director: Afton Aitkenhead Cast: Amali Jazeel, Ryan Radley Antigone Writer: Marie Mayingi Director: Zara Ramtohul-Akbur Cast: Lara Grace Ilori, Yolanda Ovide, Mutulu Woolley The Watchers Writer: Jayne Woodhouse Director: Sharon Willems Cast: Sojourner Hazelwood-Connell, Ceri Gifford, Martha Crow Complete Sex Writer: Mónica Maffía Director: Sharon Willems Translator: Sophie Stevens Cast: Daniel Keogh Stan Writer: Kate Webster Director: Leo Bacica Cast: Samira Teymouri, Leyon Hunter-Stolz Grace finds Kel Writer: Rex McGregor Director: David Frias Robles Cast: Lizzie Coles, Pete Picton
Bubble Show for Adults Only
Iulia Benze, Kurt Murray
20 - 24 September 2022
Mix part physical theatre, part bubble artistry and one part neo-burlesque, and you get a soapy concoction of kinky, in-your-face theatrics. A raucous and raunchy affair with a surprising story arc full of abstractness and the slightly grotesque, a surreal performative experience that wonderfully showcases the technical prowess of Bubble Artistry. Bubble Laboratory is a five star reviewed, award nominated theatre company that creates bubble performances for theatre stage, film and TV, having as main focus innovation and theatrical development of the art of bubbles. Every year Bubble Show For Adults Only travels all over the world sharing love, fun and joy with bubble artistry.
The Sea Between
by Demi Leigh
30 August - 17 September 2022
The play follows the relationship of Ginny and Mike. After a chance meeting one Halloween, Ginny lets herself get spirited away, in the name of love. In the name of ambition. Ginny’s journey eerily similar to the voyage of another Iphigenia, some 3000 years earlier, following the promise of a marriage all the way to the steps of the altar. In the war of love, who wields the sacrificial knife? Directed by Vittorio Parri Starring Matthew Kay & Demi Leigh Artwork by Jevgenija Kuznecova
Flumps
by Emma Pallett
24 - 28 August 2022
An extravaganza of noughties beats, dark comedy & a hint of problematic puppetry, FLUMPS is boldly bursting with wacky plot twists and eccentric realities. Our hysterical yet heroic siblings, Harvey (13) and Felicity (8), find themselves spending an extraordinary, Tracy Beaker-like summer of freedom after their mum’s disappearance. Will our comedic duo find satisfaction in a life of cushioned fantasy or will their ill-obtained furry friends lead them into catastrophic calamity? A HOO HAH HOUSE PRODUCTION Writer | EMMA PALLETT Director | EVERLEIGH BRENNER Movement Director | MARIA CRISTINA PETTITTI Felicity | EMMA PALLETT Harvey | SUSIE COUTTS
ND Double Bill
Paul Wady, George Steeves
26 - 30 July 2022
Paul Wady: Guerilla Autistics Year 8 Neurodiversity, autism, late diagnosis, growing up undiagnosed, coming out as neurodivergent at 41, what do these terms mean and how do you have a marriage on the basis of what used to be called a psychiatric disorder? Paul Wady is recognized as at the front of the global Neurodiversity Movement and has the abuse online to prove it. He has spent his life post diagnosis training around the UK for a major autism charity and has performed his interactive feedback shows around the world. He has been performing shows since he was 18 and was even kicked out of East 15 drama school once. As a Buddhist he can only give you love. Can you return that to him? George Steeves: Love & Sex on the Spectrum An atypical romantic comedy, that explores all of the awkward firsts that come with dating, sex, and love from a late bloomer’s perspective. Being on the autism spectrum is challenging enough, now add dating to the mix. There’s quite a learning curve. Experience all the lessons and laughs, along with the do’s and don’ts, on how to be your most authentic self, and to truly love yourself at the end of the day. George Steeves is a Los Angeles-based gay autistic actor whose previous show, Magic 8 Ball won multiple awards and was a Pick of the Fringe at the Edinburgh Festival in 2018. George's latest show, Love & Sex on the Spectrum, received the Best of Solofest 2022 award.
The Light from Below: Stories from Ukrainian Basements
Polina Pologenceva, Andriy Bondarenko
12 - 16 July 2022
Save the Light by Polina Pologenceva: The true story of a woman and her child fleeing the war in Ukraine in spring 2022. Told with humour and humanity, Polina’s story offers a unique insight into life as a refugee in a way not seen on the news. Director: Ana Toros Fox, Dark as a Light Night by Andriy Bondarenko: a deeply poetic dreamplay about a lonely refugee from the 2014 war in Donbass, Igor, living in a basement and teaching Japanese online. He desperately looks for redemption and happiness, but struggles with traumatic visions from the past. Director: Bogdana Orleanova Cast: Ana Weaver, Valeriia Poholsha, Shirley Booth, Dean Coffey
The Woman who Eats Babies
Doubtful Sound
5 - 9 July 2022
Architects inspired by a bridge of monkeys, cursed women licking the sick, a shop keeper who hates the number four, adulterous housewives, arguing mountains, and a grave digging, dead-baby-eating woman - these are the tales of the merchant centre of Yamanashi. Translated, written and performed by Doubtful Sound. Doubtful Sound is a Japanese theatre company based in London. Music by Yui Shikakura and others. Stories originally from: 'Kai Folktales' collated by Rikki Tsuchihashi; 'Zenkoku Folktales Volume 16 - Yamanashi Collection'
Love (to) Bits
by Ioana Goga
7 - 25 June 2022
Love (To) Bits is a seriously comedic drama or kind of a dramatic comedy, however you choose to look at it, there will be laughter… and some tears. Think of it as if Bridget Jones and Fleabag had a love child. How could you resist that?! The show incorporates verbatim theatre and Brechtian elements. The play is comprised of two story arcs. The main arc focuses on the romantic life of the lead character, Cynthia, who just loves love, but can't quite seem to ever get it right. The secondary one showcases different people’s verbatim answers to the age old question “What is love?”. The two are perpetually intertwined. Cast: Ioana Goga, Beatrice Bowden, Tomas Howser Director: Jez Davess-Humphrey
Faustus the Damned
after Christopher Marlowe
30 May - 4 June 2022
Would you sell your soul for quick and easy success? Or make a deal with the devil for that winning lottery ticket? But could you handle the true cost of your wish? Faustus decides to make this ultimate gamble so she can finally have the life of her dreams that's been denied her all her life. And it's all going to be alright, isn't it? A play full of horror and comedy, Marlowe's FAUSTUS THE DAMNED is a new abridged adaptation by Harry Fitzpatrick of the classic play Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe. Cast: Edina Hadley - Faustus Iulia Pal - Mephistopheles Elliot Beau - Wagner Millie Wilkie - Clown/Pope/Angel Lil Marlowe - himself Produced by Temporal Horizons Theatre
A Thousand Papercuts Still Skin Deep
By Hector T J Huang
24 - 28 May 2022
2 timelines, 2 cities, and 4 queer friends. 1 anonymous hookup, 1 ex-(platonic) girlfriend, 1 potential boyfriend, and 1,000 paper cuts that hurt way much more than they appear to - they cut deep into your soul where nobody can see. A Thousand Papercuts Still Skin Deep is a raw but tender play that dissects and attempts to heal queer angst and relationships with a dash of offbeat humour. Set in Taipei and London, Hector’s modern, unflinching text shines a spotlight on growing up queer in East Asia in a story rarely seen onstage anywhere. Written by Hector T.J. Huang, directed by Tianxin Tian, and featuring an East-Asian all-lgbtq+ cast. The Company Jun-Hwei: Andy Liu River/ANON B: Lisa Maeda A-Wen/Al: Kyle Ogata Ming/Margo: Haoyu Wang Playwright: Hector T.J. Huang Director: Tianxin Tian Scenographer: Jamie Lu Assistant Director: Belle Bao Associate artist: Xinxi Du Producer: Lasse Bohnsack
Freehold
by Roger Goldsmith
17 - 21 May 2022
'Sometimes you knock on the wrong door but the right person answers it' John lives a quiet life alone in Portsmouth when into his life bursts Mavis, a ball of energy and excitement who wishes to purchase the flat upstairs. Over the course of an afternoon can these two unlikely companions find a connection? Is chocolate better than sex? And can the sins of the past be forgiven? Freehold is a comedy-drama about chocolate, gin, Dutch bicycles and haunted pasts written by Roger Goldsmith and directed by Alexander HJ Smith.
Peace Readings
Fundraiser for Ukraine
26 - 30 April 2022
The Peace Readings featured readings of new work from Ukrainian playwrights Natal’ya Vorozhbit (Bad Roads, Royal Court Theatre) and Olga Braga (Off West End 2019 Adopt A Playwright Award). Also showcasing the shortlist from the Monologues for Ukraine fundraising initiative, poems and plays from writers from across the world, and stories from volunteers on the Ukraine-Romanian border. All proceeds from the event were donated to both NGO Red Cross Ukraine and Medicine for Ukraine.
Maybe I Do?
by Cova Camblor
12 - 23 April 2022
Meet Carmen, a Spanish girl living in London, that decides to marry an English guy named Steve. . .over Zoom. But Carmen is in love with Stuart. Who is not Steve . . .and not on zoom. Why is she doing this? Where is her priest? Why is she playing a ukulele? Will her zoom groom ever join the call? Maybe I Do? is a one-woman comedy about love, lust and. . . language barriers between people. Written and performed by: Covadonga Camblor Directed by: Anca Nana Vaida
Dastardly News
by Pia Gurner Levy
4 - 10 April 2022
Comedy plays Old News and The Dastardly Murder of the Chocolate Soufflé make up a double bill full of mischief, misunderstandings and just plain old mayhem. Old News follows respected news anchor Bernice who, having been replaced by a younger, unqualified newcomer, desperately tries to hold the news station together as they careen through the nightly news. The Dastardly Murder of the Chocolate Soufflé, set in a 1950s English countryside home, sees a family attempt to puzzle out the disappearance of their mother, not competently, but with enthusiasm.
The Real Inspector Hound
by Tom Stoppard
29 March - 2 April 2022
As the fog rolls in on Muldoon Manor, the guests – preoccupied with love affairs and card games - hear news of an escaped convict, who may already be in their midst. They are watched over by two theatre critics - one composing pompous reviews and lamenting his own lack of spotlight, the other ogling the actresses and eating chocolates. When Inspector Hound arrives on the scene to solve the mystery, the boundary between art and real life begins to fall away. Cast List: Moon — Julian Guassardo Birdboot — Ben Harris Mrs Drudge — Anna Kretschmer Cynthia Muldoon — Steph Farrell Felicity Cunningham — Izzy Boreham Major Magnus — Omar Aga Inspector Hound — Mickey Gibbons Simon Gascoyne — Neeraj Thakrar Directed by Anna Markland and Dean Reilly
Scratching the Surface
by Kibo Productions
15 - 19 March 2022
In 2020, we teched a week of new writing on the eve of the first lockdown. And overnight, the world changed. Now, we welcome these stories back to the stage with largely the same team. Join us and celebrate all we’ve survived in the years between. The Plays: One Night Stand Written by Marianne Kelly Directed by Leo Bacica Cast: Ash Sanchez, Alex Smith Watching Paint Dry Written by Marcia Kelson Directed by Jimmy Walters Cast: Elena Vasilache, Cristinel Hogas Chrissy Written by Eddie Coleman Directed by Vittorio Parri Cast: Dervla Toal Everything's Brilliant Written by Jonathan Skinner Directed by Hannah Stacey Cast: Amberley Hillyard, Nichola Jean Mazur, Christopher Lumby, Leyon Hunter-Stolz Sales of a Deadman Written by Arthur M Jolly Directed by Jagoda Kamov Cast: Demi Leigh, Celia Learmouth, Matthew Kay, Giorgio Galassi If you see my dad... Written by Jo Spencely Directed by MIchael Gyngell Cast: Calum Balmforth Right Place, Wrong Time Written by Chelsea Sheldon Directed by Tianxin Tian Cast: Rachel Thomas, Nazeku Ever Changing Skyline Written by Emma Pitt Directed by Sharon Willems Cast: Naila Mansour, Gerrie Skeens Scratching the Surface was originally developed in collaboration with students from University of West London.
Welcome to the Neurospace
The Neurospace Collective
22 - 26 February 2022
Building on the well-received work of the Stealth Aspies theatre company (2017-2019) and moving on from references to Hans Asperger, The NeuroSpace Theatre now presents a whole new production: "Welcome to the Neurospace!" Who are we and can we be accepted by society? We are the future. Please listen to us. The running order of the night: 1. 'An introduction to the show, the collective and my life' - a speech by Paul Wady 2. 'The Reason I Jump' - a poem by Haroon Khan 3. 'M. E. Trout' - an excerpt of the play by Bethany Henry Gemmell 4. 'Confessions' - a poem by Haroon Khan 5. 'Keepsakes' - a short play by Jake Hart 6. 'Builder's Brew' - a poem by Haroon Khan 7. 'A Journey Through a Literal Mind' - a comedy set by Pagane Gacheva
Ducks
by Hannah Kennedy
15 - 19 February 2022
Ducks is a heartfelt story of love and loss that follows duck enthusiast, Lucie. When Lucie is asked by her therapist friend, Ed, to talk about her life, she finds herself gravitating to discussions about her ex partner, Jem. Over the course of their sessions, she digs deeper into the past and her thoughts surrounding her relationship with Jem are thrown into question. Emerging playwright Hannah Kennedy returns to the Barons Court Theatre with the world premiere of Ducks, an uncompromising look into the challenges of loving and being loved while living with anxiety and depression. Performed by an exciting ensemble of emerging talents, Ducks explores both the beauty and fragility of love as Lucie attempts to make sense of all she uncovers and find her way through her grief. Ducks Cast: May López, Phoebe Cresswell, Joe Bonfield Writer: Hannah Kennedy Director: Afton Aitkenhead Producer: Sharon Willems
2021
Me, Myself and Secrets
by Radek Hoffman
14 - 18 December 2021
Me, Myself, and Secrets is a personal journey inside Radek Hoffman’s mind. It is a highly interactive show that relies on audience participation. It combines elements of a one-man show, experimental theatre, magic and mentalism. Radek will share with you his greatest secrets and most complex ideas that will manipulate your mind. This is not just a show it is an experience. Be prepared to be amazed, to reinvent yourself, and celebrate the mystery.
Emerging Arts Festival
by Savi Arts x Richard Swann
22 -27 November 2021
Savi Arts x Richard Swann present Emerging Artist Festival The Emerging Artist Festival features work-in-progress projects and showcases emerging actors. The programme includes: Lions in the Lilypads by Romo Sikdar-Rahman Give My Love to Dad & the Dog by Lauren Cooper Moving Day by Dani Kennedy & Tilly Upton Big Gay Liar by Charlotte Frost Hildegard by Michelle Payne To Have & To Hold by Michelle Payne For show times and more details visit www.savi-arts.co.uk/shows
Titus Andronicus
by William Shakespeare
16 -20 November 2021
A punchy reimagining of Shakespeare’s most brutal tragedy. This pacey, modern Titus explores the dangers of revenge and how it can twist the intentions of everyone it touches. Watch as this political dance descends into bloodshed and despair. Titus follows the story of a war veteran who, having lost 21 sons in battle, returns to a Rome that betrays rather than celebrates his achievements. A series of bloody events unfold as he and Tamora, Queen of the Goths, begin a violent cycle of revenge. Playing time: 90 mins
Mary Land
by Lucy Kirkwood
11 - 13 November 2021
Maryland premiered at the Royal Court this October and was written following the murder of Sabina Nessa and the rape and murder of Sarah Everard. The reading was part of a UK-wide effort to amplify the reach of the work to those unable to attend the readings at the Royal Court Theatre.
Bluebeard
by Max Frisch
26 October - 7 November 2021
Theatre Collection and ART-VIC produced this atmospheric adaptation of Max Frisch’s classic novel. Dr. Felix Schaad is haunted by the memories of his dead ex-wife Rozalind in this haunting tale of sexual obsession.
Reboot Festival 1
by Kibo Productions
5 - 23 October 2021
The world is open again but no one is the same. Who are we now, and how do we reconnect with our friends, our communities, even our creativity, after being static for so long? Reboot Festival meant three weeks of plays for a world attempting to reboot. Week 1: Left, Right, East, West Writer: Emma Dawson Director: Ioana Goga Cast: Beatrice Bowden (Mitts) Whose to Tell Writer: Jacquie Penrose Director: Eratle Wang Cast: Rosanna Preston (Ellen), Catie Ridewood (Cindy) Supernova Writer: Hannah Kennedy Director: Martha J. Baldwin Cast: Beth Lindsey (Emma), Emily Millwood (Nina) Holding Fire Writer: Jake Hart Director: Bethany Gemmell Cast: Jake Hart (narrator) Before I Talked to Shoes Writer: Alina Rios Director: Afton Aitkenhead Cast: Iskra Everhys (Girl), Mercedes May López (Rose), Sara Odeen Isbiter (Muffy), Ben Sanderson (Danny) Week 2: Sugar Pie Writer: Vivian Lermond Director: Elizabeth Sanderson Cast: Robyn Pinkney (Ida), Tom Driver (Willie) Not Helping Writer: Sebastião Marques Lopes Director: Chantelle Dusette Cast: Lucy Stepan (Dawn), Daniel Dixon (Harry) Coco Writer: Jagoda Kamov Director: Jagoda Kamov Cast: Giorgio Galassi (Joe), Pierre Laurent (Tim) Out of Love Writer: Esti Bragado Director: Vittorio Pari Cast: Esti Bragado (Claire), Alexandre Smith (John), Samantha Powell (Maddy) Operating Systems Writer: Susan Lynch Director: Lou Corben Cast: Naila Mansour (Da), Nia Powell (Aman) Week 3: Those That Are Special Writer: Emma Zadow Director: William Spencer Cast: Charlotte East (Lucy), William Spencer (Nadia) Perfect Timing Writer: Ioana Goga Director: Isobel Way Cast: Phoebe Cleghorn (Mary), Eliza Beth Stevens (Delilah), David Stevens (Zach) The Trial of Prince Charming Writer: Pamela Morgan Director: Abi Turner Cast: Sophie Leach (Cindy), Mohit Mathur (Lawyer) Siobhan Writer: Gabrielle Curtis Director: Leo Bacica Cast: Roxana Lupu (Siobhan), Moore Cruise (Matt) Woman, a Choreopoem (Or, That Time When Michelle Obama & I Had Da Hong Pao Tea) Writer: Catalina Florescu Director: Sharon Willems Cast: Anca Vaida (Sun), Romayn Rose (Renaissance)
A Dog's Solution
by Richard Franklin
6 September - 2 October 2021
Welcome to the Cloud Cuckoo Land! This pavement is where Beoncé eats, sleeps and begs for money, and she stays here all the time, trying to figure out one positive thing about this pandemic, yet not realising that her dog is preparing to host the first World Government Meeting in secret. An old bag person, 2 students, a lobbyist, and you are all invited to the meeting, but do we really have what it takes to make a difference?