Past Productions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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 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

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 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 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

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

'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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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.

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.

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

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

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