Based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood and adapted by Simon Reade, A Single Man follows a day in the life of George (Theo Fraser Steele), a middle-aged British professor living in Los Angeles, as he wakes, goes to work, visits a friend, has dinner with another, encounters one of his students in a bar, and finally falls into bed back at home.
‘What does Williams think is the root of this reaction?’ KING HAMLIN – Park Theatre
Gloria Williams takes a more decided position on good and evil in the world premiere of her play King Hamlin at the Park Theatre in which an almost inevitable decline into crime is born out of poverty, desperation and class as the protagonist becomes an all-too-aware if unwilling participant in his own destruction.
‘Each generation will find resonance in this play’: A SINGLE MAN – Park Theatre
A day in the life of George, an Englishman living in America, in his fifties – a man alone following the death of his younger partner, Jim. A man of routine habits, but this is no routine day. Actor Theo Fraser Steele (who gives a finely judged performance), adapter Simon Reade and director Philip Wilson give us a glimpse into the world of Christopher Isherwood’s novel in A Single Man.
New post-show Q&A: ‘A wry & compassionate retelling’ of A Single Man at the Park Theatre – Terri Paddock talks to the director & cast
I’m thrilled to reunite with Troupe – after events for acclaimed productions including The Sweet Science of Bruising, Rasheeda Speaking, Dear Brutus and The Cardinal – to chair a post-show Q&A for Simon Reade’s new adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s 1964 novel A Single Man at London’s Park Theatre.
‘Experience it if you can’: ROSE – Park Theatre
September 2020 and the pandemic was quietly raging. So too was Maureen Lipman in Hope Mill Theatre’s online production of Martin Sherman’s intense monologue Rose; her performance was routinely recognised as a tour de force. The piece won many plaudits including an Off West End Offie and featured as one of my 20 For 2020. Since then it has been restreamed more than once and also appeared on Sky Arts – indeed it is still available on their catch up channel Now TV. But for the real undisputed deal, and if you’re near enough, head to the Park Theatre in Islington where the production is playing until mid-October.
‘An unforgettable evening’: ROSE – Park Theatre ★★★★★
Martin Sherman’s 1999 masterpiece Rose is an immense monologue – two halves, each over an hour – and Maureen Lipman tackles it with pin-sharp timing, humour, and controlled feeling, sitting on her bench remembering. Her extraordinary performance was streamed during the Covid years but to see it live in front of you in this intimate theatre is different, startling and personal, heroic. With the best will in the world any screen showing fades into being just more TV, more Holocaust history. This does not.
‘Brilliantly written & performed’: MONSTER – Park Theatre ★★★★★
There was a point while watching Monster at the Park Theatre when I realised I had my hand over my mouth. What was unfolding on stage was shocking, and I haven’t had a reaction like that to a play for quite a while.
‘Clever, sharp & heavily detailed’: THE END OF THE NIGHT (Online Show)
A tight 80-minute three-hander (two other minor characters appear briefly), Original Theatre’s The End of the Night is not an easy watch but it is quite brilliant, and lends itself perfectly to the digital format.
‘I hope some bigger theatre gets the bottle to pick up this production’: TONY! [THE TONY BLAIR OPERA] – Park Theatre ★★★★★
That Harry Hill is the writer explains the rumbustious irreverence of Tony! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] at the Park Theatre, but Steve Brown’s tunes and lyrics are much of its glory.
VIDEO: Celebrities are raving about Sally Rogers’ debut play The Still Room
Word of mouth on Sally Rogers’ debut play The Still Room is spreading fast, with celebrity fans including Alison Steadman, David Morrissey, Maxine Peake, Johnny Flynn and others. Check out these video vox pops and get booking!
‘A glorious romp’: TONY! [THE TONY BLAIR OPERA] – Park Theatre
Voted back into power three times, Tony Blair left office with the accusations of being a manipulative liar ringing in his ears – not that that has ever slowed down the current incumbent. And it is this almost Shakespearian trajectory of the tragic hero gone to the bad which forms the backbone of Tony! at the Park Theatre.
‘I’m beyond living my dream’: Kate James makes her professional debut in The Still Room at the Park Theatre
Love London Love Culture’s Emma Clarendon chatted to Kate James about starring as Janice in the world premiere of The Still Room, currently playing at the Park Theatre.
‘Well on the way to being a very fine political satire’: TONY! [THE TONY BLAIR OPERA] – Park Theatre
Tony Blair became an MP and Prime Minister with the sole intention of meeting Mick Jaggers [sic], at least in Harry Hill and Steve Brown’s new satire Tony! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] at the Park Theatre.
VIDEO: Exploring history onstage – The End of the Night writer Ben Brown & journalist Kurt Barling discuss how in Park Q&A
What is theatre’s role in exploring political and historical subjects? What echoes are there with contemporary events in Europe? Could The End of the Night be staged in Germany today – or in Russia? For this post-show discussion, Terri Paddock explores these issues with playwright Ben Brown and the award-winning journalist, author and academic Professor Kurt Barling.
‘Banquet waitressing is brutal’: Actor-turned writer Sally Rogers on the 1980s memories that inspired her debut play The Still Room
Remember the 1980s? Charles and Diana’s wedding? Sally Rogers does. The actor-turned-playwright draws on her own personal memories and experiences in her debut play, the 1980s-set, coming-of-age black comedy The Still Room, which premieres at London’s Park Theatre in June.
New post-show Q&A: Join Terri Paddock for tense & absorbing drama The End of the Night at the Park Theatre
What role does theatre play in exploring historical and political themes? Mates founder Terri Paddock will explore that very question with an expert panel following a performance at the Park Theatre of The End of the Night, the new World War II-set drama based on a true story.
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Sneak a peek behind the scenes of The Still Room rehearsals
We’re counting down to the long-awaited world premiere of Cold Feet actor-turned-playwright Sally Rogers’ debut play The Still Room, which opens at London’s Park Theatre next month. Sneak a peek behind the scenes in the rehearsal room. Time to get booking!
‘Full of suspense’: THE END OF THE NIGHT – Park Theatre ★★★★★
Based on the incredible true story, The End of the Night takes place in the house of Felix Kirsten (Michael Lumsden), who has invited Nazi Heinrich Himmler (Richard Clothier) to meet with Jewish man Norbert Masur (Ben Caplan) who serves as a representative of the Jewish people.
NEWS: Cold Feet actor Sally Rogers’ playwriting debut The Still Room premieres in June
Cold Feet actor-turned-playwright Sally Rogers’ debut play The Still Room finally gets its world premiere in June at London’s Park Theatre, with a cast that includes her former co-star in The Bill, Chris Simmons. Time to get booking!
‘A story about regular people finding their way in life’: ANOTHER AMERICA – Park Theatre
Bill Rosenfield’s Another America is not quite what I expected – which, it turns out, is the whole point. Inspired by the 1999 documentary film True Fans by Dan Austin, it’s not explicitly billed as a political play.