TAKETEN
Image: Steve Clark in ‘Waiting For A Fare’. Photo: Malcolm Brown
The Merchant of Venice
A Bard in the Hand
National Trust
A chillingly prophetic drama about ambition and power in politics and journalism. National Trust at the Abbey Theatre in August.
National Trust is the latest work by Mial Pagan whose powerful play Dancehall Sweethearts was produced by the Company of Ten at the Camden Festival in 2017.
Flawed, ambitious politician Peter Fraser teams up with his former lover, journalist Eleanor Perry to climb the greasy pole of politics. Believing he is in control of his own destiny, Fraser is used by others playing out their own psychodramas of power. Personal gain outweighs responsibility and comes at a terrible cost to the country when Britain is pitched into chaos by Fraser’s policies and weakness in the face of a hard-line group in Cabinet. It is disturbing and alarmingly familiar, with wonderful touches of humour and compassion that will have you laughing one minute, only to be pulled up short by moments of darkness in this superb ‘State-of-the-Nation’ play.
Performances take place in the Abbey Theatre Studio on Saturday 7 August 2021 at 7:30pm and a matinee on Sunday 8 August, 2:00pm. Tickets are just £10. With Covid secure measures implemented throughout to maximise audience safety, tickets are limited.
National Trust is a Company of Ten production.
God of Carnage
Tantrums aren’t just for kids
“A savage comedy that tears away the veneer of respectability in modern bourgeois lives” – The Guardian
Written by multi-award-winning French playwright Yasmina Reza (Art, Life x3, The Unexpected Man) and translated by Oscar-winning writer Christopher Hampton (Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Atonement, The Father) comes the Tony award winning show, God of Carnage
Following a physical altercation between their children, couples Véronique and Michel Vallon and Alain and Annette Reille decide to meet to discuss the incident in a civilised and diplomatic manner. When snide remarks are exchanged and their parenting skills brought into question, the polite and well-meaning conversation quickly devolves into an afternoon of chaos and childish behaviour between four immature, pompous and narcissistic individuals.
“When I was first approached to direct a comedy for our Summer Season as we began to reopen, The God of Carnage was a production I had been itching to work on. Written by the incredible Yasmina Reza, and translated by the equally brilliant Christopher Hampton, it premiered in the UK at the Gielgud Theatre in 2008 with a cast of Ralph Fiennes, Tamsin Greig, Ken Stott and Janet McTeer. From what I understand, we have been after this particular play for many years, so it’s an immense privilege to be able to produce it after so long” – Director, Charles Douglas,
Runs in Judi Dench Playhouse at The Questors for four (4) performances only. Due to social distancing, there will be limited seating, so it’s recommended to book your tickets in advance.
- Approximate running time: 80 minutes.
- Book here: God of Carnage (questors.org.uk)
- Press night: 12 August at 7:45pm
- 12-14 August 2021 (performances daily at 7:45pm, plus 2:30pm on 14 August 2021)
How to Spot An Alien
A rip-roaring family show
When Jelly and Jonjo are forced to live with their mysterious Aunt Lien, they are suddenly plunged into an ominous new world, where doors are firmly locked, windows are blacked out and questions are strictly forbidden. But when their aunt begins to show alien-like qualities, their suspicions soon get the better of them…
Join two kids aboard their spaceship on an exhilarating adventure through the cosmos and beyond. But will they succeed on their mission to save the fate of curious kids everywhere?
A wonderfully quirky and fantastically fun family show, bursting with pet spiders, Strictly-Come Salsa and startling new solar systems. Written by BAFTA-nominated playwright and screenwriter Georgia Christou.
Runs 29-31 August for 5 performances only. There will be a relaxed performance on Saturday 31st at 2.30pm.
Due to social distancing there will be reduced seating, so make sure to get your tickets fast. When you come to our theatre, we ask that you please abide by our COVID safety measures, including mask-wearing and hand santizing. Please read our full COVID-19 statement
Ladies Down Under
Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda, the four fish packers from Hull, have decided to use the money they won at the races to treat themselves to a luxury holiday in Australia! However, just like on their trip to Royal Ascot, things don’t go quite to plan.
Amanda Whittington’s Ladies Down Under is a sequel to her hit play, Ladies’ Day and follows the fortunes of Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda as they head to Australia.
Having won an absolute fortune at the races last time round, the girls from Hull head off to Australia on the trip of a lifetime. But it’s not all fun Down Under. Jan is terrified that boyfriend, Joe (who left England for a new life at the beginning of Ladies’ Day) may have lost interest in her while he’s been abroad.
Linda is struggling with the burden her new fortune has brought her. Shelley has frittered away her share on designer clothes and partying, but soon discovers she has very little to show for it.
Meanwhile, Pearl is going through a life-changing event herself.
The women each discover something about themselves as their bond deepens and they discover that money can’t buy you love, or happiness.
Tickets are £12 Concessions £10.00 (except Friday and Saturday.) Available from the Chelmsford Civic Theatre box office, by calling 01245 606505 or via the Chelmsford Theatres website. Tickets are also available on the door from 45 minutes prior to the performance. (Cash and card payments accepted.)
The Children
Photo: Robert Vass
Sometimes, only the old can save the young
Retired couple, ex-nuclear scientists Hazel and Robin, are living off salad, yoghurt and yoga in an isolated coastal cottage, as the world around them crumbles. But when an old friend arrives, the past collides with the present to dramatically alter their futures.
A powerful, thought-provoking story of entwined relationships that is darkly funny, unremittingly human, and asks important questions about love and loss, life and death, and the responsibility of the older generation towards the younger.
Written by award-winning playwright Lucy Kirkwood and originally performed at The Royal Court to critical acclaim, this gripping and witty play comes to The Questors Theatre for a limited six performances. Due to social distancing there will be reduced seating, so make sure to get your tickets fast.
When you come to our theatre, we ask that you please abide by our COVID safety measures, including mask-wearing and hand santizing.
