The revival of James Saunders’ relationship drama Bodies at Southwark Playhouse has garnered a host of four and five star reviews. As it heads towards its final week, take a look at these fantastic production images, then book your tickets!
Saunders’ play about love, marriage and sex, directed by Tricia Thorns, runs until 9 March. It asks, “Why do people fall in love? Or get married? Why do things fall apart? And what happens next?” The play is a startling portrait of sexual and marital relations in the 1960s and 70s, and delves into these questions with bitter humour.
Two couples meet for the first time in nine years. During that time, Helen and David have been through therapy and gained a new sense of contentment. But Mervyn, who comes to dinner with his partner Anne, is far from convinced, and begins prodding. It’s not long before memories of the past come flooding back, of the time Mervyn had left Anne for Helen, and David had gone to live with Anne…
Bodies was first staged at the Orange Tree Theatre in 1977, before being revived by Hampstead Theatre in 1978. It transferred to the West End in 1979 with a cast including Dinsdale Landen, Gwen Watford, David Burke and Angela Down.
The Two’s Company production of Bodies features a cast including Alix Dunmore, Annabel Mullion, Peter Prentice and Tim Welton.
Director Tricia Thorns is a performer with 35 years of experience on stage and on screen. She makes up one-third of Two’s Company, working alongside former Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Artistic Director, Ian Talbot and producer Graham Cowley. The company launched in 2003 aiming to uncover unjustly forgotten plays. Among their previous projects are Forgotten Voices from the Great War, What the Women Did, Red Night, Ex and London Wall.
Bodies plays at Southwark Playhouse as part of an exciting spring season that also includes the world premiere of All in a Row and a revival of James Phillips’ drama The Rubenstein Kiss.
Production gallery:
