Musical star Natasha J Barnes, who famously took over to rave reviews from Sheridan Smith in Funny Girl in the West End, will get her first starring role in the first London revival in 20 years of Karoline Leach’s 1997 thriller Tryst.
The fringe production, directed by Phoebe Barran, runs at Chiswick’s 90-seat Tabard Theatre from 12 October to 5 November 2017, with a press night on 17 October.
Based on a true story, this tense, passion-fuelled drama tells of serial fraudster, George Love, who encounters a naïve and vulnerable shop-girl, Adelaide Pinchin. Seduced by his charm and elaborate stories of a life she’s never known, Adelaide agrees to run away with him in a secret tryst. What ensues shocks them both as their plans begin to unravel in frightening and unpredictable ways. The story begins as a romantic drama but soon evolves into a riveting thriller with a startling climax.
Tryst premiered in the West End in 1997 starring Paul Nicholas and Susan Penhaligon. It opened on Broadway in 2006.
Natasha J Barnes said:
“I read, or devoured, Tryst in one sitting and knew straight away I wanted to be a part of it. After learning so much taking over the lead in Funny Girl at the Savoy, I knew I would want my next project to be something really challenging. I’m not frightened of making myself vulnerable and I feel a straight play with such a small cast will be so different to what I’ve been doing recently and so exciting. I am a massive advocate for seeing the work of more female directors and I can’t wait to see what Phoebe will bring to the piece.”
Barnes is joined in the cast by Fred Perry. The production is designed by Max Dorey, with lighting by Matt Drury and sound by Dave McSeveny. Tryst will be the first show at the Tabard Theatre in Chiswick, west London, since the venue has been taken over by new management and given a full refurbishment.
Bios
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Natasha J Barnes – Natasha first came to the public’s attention when she stepped into the role of Fanny Brice for the West End run of Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre. This was swiftly followed by Natasha playing the title role in the Palladium’s all-star Cinderella at Christmas and Natasha has since completed a major UK and Ireland tour of Funny Girl reprising the role of Fanny Brice. Her debut single, Supermodel, is released this autumn. Her other musical credits include American Idiot, Chess, Come Dancing, Lend Me a Tenor and Spring Awakening.
Fred Perry – Fred’s theatre credits include Love and Understanding, Japes, Long Live the Mad Parade, Truth Lies Diana, Sweeney Todd, The Lover, Black Comedy, The Real Inspector Hound, Comedy of Arias, Peaches, Oleanna, Black Soap, Who’s Buttling Anyway, The Beaux Stratagem. Fred’s TV and Film credits include The Honourable Woman, New Tricks, Spooks, Hotel Babylon, The Amazing Mrs Pritchard, Eastenders, Scott and Bailey, Pillow Talk. He trained at LAMDA.
Phoebe Barran (Director) – Phoebe’s directing credits include; An Evening with Noel Fielding (UK and International tour), Four Days In Hong Kong, Suppressed Desires and Scenes from a Separation (The Orange Tree), The Duke in Darkness (Tabard Theatre), The Fitzrovia Radio Hour (BBC Radio Theatre, Edinburgh Festival, Ambassadors theatre, and national tour), The Tin Horizon (Theatre503) and Ours (Finborough). She has worked as an assistant director at the Royal Court, National Theatre, RSC and The Orange Tree. Phoebe is a co-founder of Production Company Bird & Be.
Karoline Leach (Playwright) – Karoline is a British playwright and author, best known for her book In the Shadow of the Dreamchild. Tryst premiered in the West End in 1997 starring Paul Nicholas and Susan Penhaligon before opening on Broadway in 2006.
