News from London's Park Theatre

Published: 20 April 2014
Reporter: Sandra Giorgetti

The Vertical Hour
Desdemona: A Play About A Handkerchief

To mark the first birthday of north London's Park Theatre a special gala event will take place on 18 May.

Hosted by Ian McKellen, the evening of sketches and songs will include performances from BAFTA-winning comedy double-act Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse and Maureen Lipman, who returns to the venue where she played last year in the world première of Oliver Cotton’s Daytona.

Ian McKellen commented, “I’m thrilled to be making my debut at London's newest, bravest theatre. I haven't seen Park Theatre since the building was going up and the first birthday is time for real celebration.

"This year has been totally successful but we supporters are still needed to make sure the financial future is secure. Do come and raise a toast and join in the fun at Park Theatre's Gala."

The venue opened in May 2013. The building is converted from an abandoned office block and has two performance spaces—a 200-seat main house and a flexible 85- to-100 seat studio—plus the Morris Space for education work and rehearsals and an all-day café bar.

In the meantime, the venue is making ready for Desdemona: A Play About A Handkerchief, a twist on Othello written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Paula Vogel, which will be followed by the world première of Ché Walker’s two-hander Klook’s Last Stand, which has music by Anoushka Lucas and Omar Lyefook and lyrics by Walker and Lucas.

Ahead of that, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance plays Park 200 from mid-May whilst in Park 90 Archimedes’ Principle plays until 11 May.

The venue announced this week the transfer of Thérèse Raquin from the Finborough Theatre where it enjoyed a sell-out run.

This new musical adaptation of Émile Zola’s classic French novel will have a limited 4-week run. It has a book and lyrics by Nona Shepphard, who also directs, and music by composer, lyricist, and arranger Craig Adams.

Looking further ahead, the venue has this week also announced that it is to stage The Vertical Hour, a gripping play that pits personal philosophies against global politics.

This will be the first revival of David Hare's play in London and will be directed by BAFTA award-winning Nigel Douglas. The Vertical Hour premièred on Broadway in 2006 and in the UK in 2008. It will play from 23 September.

Desdemona: A Play About A Handkerchief runs from 14 May to 8 June and Klook’s Last Stand runs from 11 June to 6 July. Thérèse Raquin will play 30 July to 24 August. Tickets for the birthday gala evening are £150, and include food and wine.

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