relationships

IN AND OUT OF LOVE | London, Hope Theatre

Recommended
https://twitter.com/jetpack/status/1847684737449517419

https://x.com/ThePrickle/status/1847684737449517419

Cockfosters (2023) was glorious fun at the Turbine Theatre, a venue which has sadly announced its premature closing after a difficult five years. But as one door closes, another opens, at the Hope Theatre in Highbury and Islington: In and Out of Love (2024), a new comedy two-hander, from the same writer-producer team of Tom Woffenden and Ana Emdin (plus designer Gareth Rowntree). It’s about a couple who go on holiday, after having broken up — with hilarious and disastrous consequences.

“It is funny, and it is a comedy,” explains director Saul Boyer, who also played the lead in Cockfosters during the 2024 run. “But I think what’s brilliant about the script is that it’s also unexpectedly moving. I’ve been enjoying rehearsals so much with this wonderful cast, because the couple’s relationship is so relatable.  It’s impossible not to see yourself reflected in their behaviour.  I can’t wait for audiences to see it.”

In and Out of Love stars Olivia Bernstone (ITV’s Finding Alice; Channel 4’s Humans) and Robert Kot (Frost/Nixon; Richard III). The play is written by Tom Woffenden, directed by Saul Boyer, and produced by Ana Emdin. Set design is by Gareth Rowntree, with lighting design by Ben Sayers and music by Arthur Sawbridge.

Welcome to Venice. One of the most romantic cities in the world. Well, unless you’re Sam (Robert Kot) and Ingrid (Olivia Bernstone). After booking the trip months ago, the couple arrive for their holiday together. Except they’re not together; they’ve broken up — and they’ve gone anyway.  In and Out of Love follows the unpredictable, beautiful and complicated journey love takes us on, in good times and in bad, for better or worse, till death do us part.  It’s going to be a long weekend.

Playing at the Hope Theatre, 22 – 26 October, 2024.

The Prickle - About transp

LITTLE ECHOES | London, The Hope Theatre

Recommended

Published this year by Methuen Drama, Tom Powell’s Little Echoes now receives a full run at The Hope Theatre in Islington. Three haunting monologues interweave amid lightbulbs and microphones in this 90-minute exploration of London “as you’ve never seen it before”.

16-year old Danielle (Maisie Preston) meets danger in the VIP area of a pop concert. Professional relationship manager June (Ciara Pouncet) seems cool and collected, but all is not as it seems. Shaj (Mikhael DeVille) navigates feelings of intense anger and hatred in the wake of a violent acid attack on his young brother.

One of the UK’s most up and coming new playwrights, Tom Powell won the OTR National Radio Drama Award and the Footlights’ Harry Porter Prize. He is part of the Soho Writers Alumni Group and in 2015 he was shortlisted for the Soho Young Writers’ Award for his first play the bear hunt. This year he attended the Royal Court Introductory Group and was shortlisted for HighTide’s First Commissions programme. His third play White Light has recently been selected for the Arcola’s PlayWrought festival.

The production is directed by Stephen Bailey, and partnered with Beyond The Streets, a charity that works to create pathways out of sexual exploitation.

Little Echoes is playing until 9 March 2019.

The Prickle - About transp

COMPANY | Hong Kong, Sha Tin Town Hall

Recommended

Sondheim’s groundbreaking 1970 musical comedy is coming to Hong Kong in a brand new Cantonese translation by Jacob Yu and Wong Ming Lok. The musical revolves around Bobby, a single man who is unable to commit fully to a steady relationship — let alone marriage. The five married couples who are his best friends, and his three girlfriends, all come together in a celebration for Bobby’s 35th birthday.

As well as the main translator, Jacob Yu also directs and produces, and set designs too. Stoa Lau is the Music Director and Sound Designer, with lighting by Ivan Chen and costumes by Shybil Yuen, in addition to choreography by Nikki Ng. The cast includes: Amanda Lee, Peco Chui, Andrew Cheung, Beilosi Fung, Margaret Cheung, Sung Boon Ho, Lan Chun Chun, Tunes Ting, SiuLung Wong, Joanna Ko, Billy Yip, Vivian Chan, Tony Li, Terrence Leung.

The original Broadway production was nominated for a record-setting fourteen Tony Awards, and won Best Musical. Many of the songs have passed into musical theatre legend, including: “Being Alive”; “Side By Side” and “You Could Drive A Person Crazy”. The current gender-flipped production in London’s West End is also nominated for many awards.

Don’t miss the chance to experience this hilarious, punchy musical about love and relationships in Cantonese.

Book online at Urbtix until 24 February 2019. Check out Theatre Space’s Facebook page for more information.

The Prickle - About transp

CIRCA | London, Old Red Lion Theatre

Recommended

After premiering with a cast of twelve at the Theatre de Meervaart, Amsterdam in 2016, followed by an acclaimed run with a cast of seven at The Vaults in London, Tom Ratcliffe’s company work.Theatre returns in a co-production with Harlow Playhouse.

“I can’t wait to be bringing Circa back this year for a longer run in London, and then to Harlow,” says Ratcliffe of his debut play. “The play has become even more topical over the past two years, and loneliness amongst the gay community is something that needs to be spoken about. The play has developed over the past two years and it’s something I cannot wait to share with everyone.”

In the 21st century, being gay is supposedly more integrated than ever: marriage is legal, parenthood is possible, and #LoveWins is trending on Twitter. But in a world where sex is readily available, what does it mean to be in a gay relationship in the modern age? And why are so many gay men still lonely?

Circa explores the blurred identity of the gay relationship in the modern age. Following the story of one man’s romantic life, we are taken through the different relationships and encounters he experiences over a period of thirty years, joining him through the joys and pitfalls of love.

Book online at www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk. Tickets from £12.

The Prickle - About transp