About Us
ESP was set up by independent producer James Bierman, to develop and produce work across theatre, television and film. Recent Theatre credits include Sam Shepard's TRUE WEST starring Kit Harington and Johnny Flynn at the Vaudeville Theatre; Tracy Letts’ KILLER JOE at the Trafalgar Studio starring Orlando Bloom; and Samuel D Hunter’s THE WHALE at the Ustinov, Bath. Martin McDonagh's iconic THE PILLOWMAN , directed by Matthew Dunster starring Lily Allen and Steve Pemberton to open in June 2023; Suzie Miller's acclaimed play PRIMA FACIE, directed by Justin Martin, and starring Jodie Comer will transfer to New York in Spring 2023 after a sell out, critically acclaimed run in April 2022 at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
BALLYWALTER, a BFI, Screen Ireland and NIS supported feature film by Stacey Gregg and directed by Prasanna Puwanarajah plays Belfast and Cork Film Festival. THROUGH THE DUNES, a short film starring Ian Hart written & directed by Tim Price is in competition. Documentary THE REAL CHAPLIN, directed by Peter Middleton & James Spinney is on release. ESP are currently developing Film & Television projects with FilmNation, Complete Fiction, EOne and Content Superba.
coming next
Prima Facie
PRIMA FACIE by Suzie Miller
15th April -18th June 2022
Harold Pinter Theatre
“Every winner might be the one who loses the next day’”
Tessa is a thoroughbred. A young, brilliant barrister who loves to win. She has worked her way up from working class origins to be at the top of her game; defending; cross examining and lighting up the shadows of doubt in any case. An unexpected event forces her to confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge.
Jodie Comer makes her West End Debut in the UK premiere of Suzie Miller’s award-winning, gripping play PRIMA FACIE which takes us to the heart of where emotion and experience collide with the rules of the game. Justin Martin directs this solo actor tour de force at the intimate Harold Pinter Theatre for a strictly limited season.
Cast:
Jodie Comer - Tessa
Creatives:
Justin Martin - Director
Miriam Buether - Designer
Natasha Chivers - Lighting Designer
Max & Ben Ringham - Sound Designers
Rebecca Lucy Taylor - Composer
Willie Williams for Treatment Studio - Video
15th April -18th June 2022
Harold Pinter Theatre
“Every winner might be the one who loses the next day’”
Tessa is a thoroughbred. A young, brilliant barrister who loves to win. She has worked her way up from working class origins to be at the top of her game; defending; cross examining and lighting up the shadows of doubt in any case. An unexpected event forces her to confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge.
Jodie Comer makes her West End Debut in the UK premiere of Suzie Miller’s award-winning, gripping play PRIMA FACIE which takes us to the heart of where emotion and experience collide with the rules of the game. Justin Martin directs this solo actor tour de force at the intimate Harold Pinter Theatre for a strictly limited season.
Cast:
Jodie Comer - Tessa
Creatives:
Justin Martin - Director
Miriam Buether - Designer
Natasha Chivers - Lighting Designer
Max & Ben Ringham - Sound Designers
Rebecca Lucy Taylor - Composer
Willie Williams for Treatment Studio - Video
The Pillowman
THE PILLOWMAN by Martin McDonagh
10th June - 2nd September 2023
Duke Of York's Theatre
BOOK TICKETS
“’The first duty of a storyteller is to tell a story’. Or was it ‘The only duty of a storyteller is to tell a story’”
In a totalitarian state a Writer is questioned by the authorities about a spate of murders that bear similarities to her short stories. Is this life imitating art or something more sinister? This black comedy widely regarded as one of the greatest plays of the past 25 years, examines the role of the artist in society and asks what price do we pay for freedom of expression.
With an all-star cast including Lily Allen and Steve Pemberton, Matthew Dunster directs the West End Premiere of Martin McDonagh’s electrifying and savagely funny Olivier award-winning play, THE PILLOWMAN at the intimate Duke of York’s Theatre for a strictly limited season.
Cast:
Lily Allen
Steve Pemberton
Creatives:
Matthew Dunster - Director
Anna Fleischle - Designer
Neil Austin - Lighting Designer
Ian Dickinson - Sound Designer
Amy Ball - Casting
10th June - 2nd September 2023
Duke Of York's Theatre
BOOK TICKETS
“’The first duty of a storyteller is to tell a story’. Or was it ‘The only duty of a storyteller is to tell a story’”
In a totalitarian state a Writer is questioned by the authorities about a spate of murders that bear similarities to her short stories. Is this life imitating art or something more sinister? This black comedy widely regarded as one of the greatest plays of the past 25 years, examines the role of the artist in society and asks what price do we pay for freedom of expression.
With an all-star cast including Lily Allen and Steve Pemberton, Matthew Dunster directs the West End Premiere of Martin McDonagh’s electrifying and savagely funny Olivier award-winning play, THE PILLOWMAN at the intimate Duke of York’s Theatre for a strictly limited season.
Cast:
Lily Allen
Steve Pemberton
Creatives:
Matthew Dunster - Director
Anna Fleischle - Designer
Neil Austin - Lighting Designer
Ian Dickinson - Sound Designer
Amy Ball - Casting
Ballywalter
BALLYWALTER by Stacey Gregg
IN POST PRODUCTION
Ballywalter is a life affirming story about the unexpected connections that can pull us back from the edge.
Eileen (Seána Kerslake) is a sardonic University drop-out whose dreams of a successful life in London have died. Back at home in Belfast with her mum and pregnant sister, she is trying to make ends meet by working as an unlicensed driver in her ex-boyfriend’s minicab.
Shane (Patrick Kielty) has exiled himself in Ballywalter following the break-up of his marriage, but now he’s trying to get his life back on track by enrolling in an evening comedy course.
Eileen accepts the weekly return fare from Shane. As the two spend time together on the road between Belfast and Ballywalter, shuttling back and forth over several months, a surprising connection is made and a unlikely friendship develops, saving them both from a downward spiral.
BELFAST, January, 2021 – Filming has completed on location in Northern Ireland on BALLYWALTER, the feature debut of director Prasanna Puwanarajah. Written by Stacey Gregg, the film stars IFTA award nominee Seána Kerslake (A Date For Mad Mary, The Hole in the Ground) and BAFTA award nominee Patrick Kielty (My Dad, The Peace Deal and Me), who is best known for his comedy and television work.
The film is financed by the BFI awarding funds from the National Lottery, Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen and Salmira Productions. Bankside Films are handling worldwide sales.
Cast:
Seána Kerslake - Eileen
Patrick Kielty - Shane
Creatives:
Prasanna Puwanarajah - Director
Federico Cesca - Director of Photography
Tom Bowyer - Production Designer
Susan Scott - Costume Designer
Robyn Wheeler - Hair & Make Up Designer
Sarah Brewerton - Editor
Mark Towns - Editor
Composer - Niall C Lawlor
Amy Ball - Casting
Producers:
James Bierman
Nik Bower
Co-Producers:
Alan Maher
John Wallace
Brian J Falconer
Executive Producers:
Deepak Nayar
Natascha Wharton
Celine Haddad
Sam Frohman
Salman Al-Rashid
IN POST PRODUCTION
Ballywalter is a life affirming story about the unexpected connections that can pull us back from the edge.
Eileen (Seána Kerslake) is a sardonic University drop-out whose dreams of a successful life in London have died. Back at home in Belfast with her mum and pregnant sister, she is trying to make ends meet by working as an unlicensed driver in her ex-boyfriend’s minicab.
Shane (Patrick Kielty) has exiled himself in Ballywalter following the break-up of his marriage, but now he’s trying to get his life back on track by enrolling in an evening comedy course.
Eileen accepts the weekly return fare from Shane. As the two spend time together on the road between Belfast and Ballywalter, shuttling back and forth over several months, a surprising connection is made and a unlikely friendship develops, saving them both from a downward spiral.
BELFAST, January, 2021 – Filming has completed on location in Northern Ireland on BALLYWALTER, the feature debut of director Prasanna Puwanarajah. Written by Stacey Gregg, the film stars IFTA award nominee Seána Kerslake (A Date For Mad Mary, The Hole in the Ground) and BAFTA award nominee Patrick Kielty (My Dad, The Peace Deal and Me), who is best known for his comedy and television work.
The film is financed by the BFI awarding funds from the National Lottery, Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen and Salmira Productions. Bankside Films are handling worldwide sales.
Cast:
Seána Kerslake - Eileen
Patrick Kielty - Shane
Creatives:
Prasanna Puwanarajah - Director
Federico Cesca - Director of Photography
Tom Bowyer - Production Designer
Susan Scott - Costume Designer
Robyn Wheeler - Hair & Make Up Designer
Sarah Brewerton - Editor
Mark Towns - Editor
Composer - Niall C Lawlor
Amy Ball - Casting
Producers:
James Bierman
Nik Bower
Co-Producers:
Alan Maher
John Wallace
Brian J Falconer
Executive Producers:
Deepak Nayar
Natascha Wharton
Celine Haddad
Sam Frohman
Salman Al-Rashid
Macbeth
From TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022 to JULY 10, 2022
AT BROADWAY’S LONGACRE THEATRE
The highly anticipated production of MACBETH, starring DANIEL CRAIG in his return to Broadway as Macbeth and RUTH NEGGA’s Broadway debut as Lady Macbeth. A tale of malice, matrimony and murder, MACBETH tells the story of one couple’s obsession with power—and their guilt after doing the unthinkable. For 15 weeks only, this thrilling new production will capture the passion and ferocity of Shakespeare’s most haunting text like never before.
MACBETH is directed by Tony Award winner Sam Gold (A Doll’s House, Part 2; Fun Home). The show begins performances at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street) on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, and opens on Thursday, April 28, 2022.
MACBETH is produced on Broadway by Barbara Broccoli, The Shubert Organization, Michael G. Wilson, and Frederick Zollo. Patrick Daly serves as Executive Producer.
Cast:
Daniel Craig as Macbeth
Ruth Negga as Lady Macbeth
Phillip James Brannon (“Servant”) as Ross
Grantham Coleman (The Great Society) as MacDuff
Asia Kate Dillon (“Billions”) as Malcolm
Tony nominee Maria Dizzia (In The Next Room) as Lady Macduff
Tony nominee Amber Gray (Hadestown) as Banquo
Emeka Guindo (Camelot) as Fleance
Paul Lazar (Silence of the Lambs) as Duncan
Bobbi MacKenzie (School of Rock) as Macduff’s Child
Michael Patrick Thornton (“The Red Line”) as Lennox
Danny Wolohan (“Orange Is The New Black”) as Seyton
Che Ayende (King Lear)
Eboni Flowers (Slave Play)
Peter Smith (“Shrill”)
Stevie Ray Dallimore (Henry IV)
Creatives:
Sam Gold - Director
Christine Jones - Scenic Design
Suttirat Larlarb - Costume Design
Jane Cox, - Lighting Design
Mikaal Sulaiman - Sound Design
Gaelynn Lea - Original Music
Jeremy Chernick - Special Effects Design
Tommy Kurzman - Make up, Hair & Wig Design
David Leong - Fight Direction
Sam Pinkleton - Movement
David Caparelliotis - Casting
Michael Sexton & Ayanna Thompson - Dramaturgy & Text Consultants
Dawn-Elin Fraser - Vocal Coach.
Kevin Bertolacci - Production Stage Manager
101 Productions, Ltd - General Manager.
AT BROADWAY’S LONGACRE THEATRE
The highly anticipated production of MACBETH, starring DANIEL CRAIG in his return to Broadway as Macbeth and RUTH NEGGA’s Broadway debut as Lady Macbeth. A tale of malice, matrimony and murder, MACBETH tells the story of one couple’s obsession with power—and their guilt after doing the unthinkable. For 15 weeks only, this thrilling new production will capture the passion and ferocity of Shakespeare’s most haunting text like never before.
MACBETH is directed by Tony Award winner Sam Gold (A Doll’s House, Part 2; Fun Home). The show begins performances at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street) on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, and opens on Thursday, April 28, 2022.
MACBETH is produced on Broadway by Barbara Broccoli, The Shubert Organization, Michael G. Wilson, and Frederick Zollo. Patrick Daly serves as Executive Producer.
Cast:
Daniel Craig as Macbeth
Ruth Negga as Lady Macbeth
Phillip James Brannon (“Servant”) as Ross
Grantham Coleman (The Great Society) as MacDuff
Asia Kate Dillon (“Billions”) as Malcolm
Tony nominee Maria Dizzia (In The Next Room) as Lady Macduff
Tony nominee Amber Gray (Hadestown) as Banquo
Emeka Guindo (Camelot) as Fleance
Paul Lazar (Silence of the Lambs) as Duncan
Bobbi MacKenzie (School of Rock) as Macduff’s Child
Michael Patrick Thornton (“The Red Line”) as Lennox
Danny Wolohan (“Orange Is The New Black”) as Seyton
Che Ayende (King Lear)
Eboni Flowers (Slave Play)
Peter Smith (“Shrill”)
Stevie Ray Dallimore (Henry IV)
Creatives:
Sam Gold - Director
Christine Jones - Scenic Design
Suttirat Larlarb - Costume Design
Jane Cox, - Lighting Design
Mikaal Sulaiman - Sound Design
Gaelynn Lea - Original Music
Jeremy Chernick - Special Effects Design
Tommy Kurzman - Make up, Hair & Wig Design
David Leong - Fight Direction
Sam Pinkleton - Movement
David Caparelliotis - Casting
Michael Sexton & Ayanna Thompson - Dramaturgy & Text Consultants
Dawn-Elin Fraser - Vocal Coach.
Kevin Bertolacci - Production Stage Manager
101 Productions, Ltd - General Manager.
Through The Dunes
THROUGH THE DUNES written & directed by Tim Price
On the cusp of adulthood, Lily is furious that she’s still sidelined from the annual tradition of burying the family Christmas tree at Formby dunes. When Granddad Tony dies, it falls on Lily to somehow keep the tradition going and keep her family together.
Liverpool, 2020 – Filming has completed on location in Liverpool on THROUGH THE DUNES, the short film debut of writer director Tim Price. The film stars Evening Standard Film award winner Ian Hart (Backbeat, The Hollow Reed, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone), Helen Carter, David Williams and introduces Bo Bragason.
The film is financed by the BFI awarding funds from the National Lottery. It has won awards at the Short Film Festival and is in competition at Aesthetica FF in Nov 21.
Cast:
Ian Hart - Andy
Bo Bragason - Lily
Helen Carter - Karen
David Williams - Tony
Crew:
Writer & Director - Tim Price
Director of Photography - Diana Olifirova
Designer - Polly Sullivan
Editor - Jennifer Tividad
Lucy Watt - Sound Designer
Composers - Ben & Max Ringham
Casting - Thomas Adams
1st AD - Mark Roberts
3rd AD - Finn Ella
Runner - Sean Toshach
Runner - Luke Haughton
Runner - Lydia Clarke
Runner - Joe Gurski
Production Asst - Lydia Grainge
Script Supervisor - Sara J Doughty
1st AC - Sim Bala
2nd AC - Dann Cooper
Trainee - Cécile Mulombe Mbombo
Grip - Jon Head
Camera Car - Joe Armstrong
Gaffer - Ian Sykes
Spark - Lewis Bolland
DIT - Christy Kail
Sound Mixer - Andy Low
1st AS - Jack Lynskey
1st AS - Zak Wundowa
Costume & Art Assistant - Georgi Cheers-Aslanian
Hair & Make Up - Zara Bray
Photographer - Leah Bierman
Location Manager - Chris Webb
Dining Bus - Arthur Timmins
Trailer - Nigel Furby
Honey Wagon - Phil Robinson
Director of Post Production - Rob Farris
Producers:
James Bierman
Siobhan Daly
Executive Producer:
Jess Loveland
On the cusp of adulthood, Lily is furious that she’s still sidelined from the annual tradition of burying the family Christmas tree at Formby dunes. When Granddad Tony dies, it falls on Lily to somehow keep the tradition going and keep her family together.
Liverpool, 2020 – Filming has completed on location in Liverpool on THROUGH THE DUNES, the short film debut of writer director Tim Price. The film stars Evening Standard Film award winner Ian Hart (Backbeat, The Hollow Reed, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone), Helen Carter, David Williams and introduces Bo Bragason.
The film is financed by the BFI awarding funds from the National Lottery. It has won awards at the Short Film Festival and is in competition at Aesthetica FF in Nov 21.
Cast:
Ian Hart - Andy
Bo Bragason - Lily
Helen Carter - Karen
David Williams - Tony
Crew:
Writer & Director - Tim Price
Director of Photography - Diana Olifirova
Designer - Polly Sullivan
Editor - Jennifer Tividad
Lucy Watt - Sound Designer
Composers - Ben & Max Ringham
Casting - Thomas Adams
1st AD - Mark Roberts
3rd AD - Finn Ella
Runner - Sean Toshach
Runner - Luke Haughton
Runner - Lydia Clarke
Runner - Joe Gurski
Production Asst - Lydia Grainge
Script Supervisor - Sara J Doughty
1st AC - Sim Bala
2nd AC - Dann Cooper
Trainee - Cécile Mulombe Mbombo
Grip - Jon Head
Camera Car - Joe Armstrong
Gaffer - Ian Sykes
Spark - Lewis Bolland
DIT - Christy Kail
Sound Mixer - Andy Low
1st AS - Jack Lynskey
1st AS - Zak Wundowa
Costume & Art Assistant - Georgi Cheers-Aslanian
Hair & Make Up - Zara Bray
Photographer - Leah Bierman
Location Manager - Chris Webb
Dining Bus - Arthur Timmins
Trailer - Nigel Furby
Honey Wagon - Phil Robinson
Director of Post Production - Rob Farris
Producers:
James Bierman
Siobhan Daly
Executive Producer:
Jess Loveland
True West
An audio recording of this show is available to order from Audible here: TRUE WEST AUDIO
TRUE WEST by Sam Shepard
23rd November – 23rd February 2019
Vaudeville Theatre
Kit Harington and Johnny Flynn star in the West End Premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winner Sam Shepard’s ferociously funny, modern classic, True West.
Austin is working on a movie script that he has sold to producer Saul Kimmer when Lee stumbles back in to his life. Never content to watch from the sidelines, he pitches his own idea to Kimmer, an action which has far reaching consequences…
Set against the searing heat of the Californian desert, Shepard’s critically acclaimed drama pits brother against brother as a family tears itself apart, exposing the cracks in the American Dream.
Cast:
Kit Harington - Austin
Johnny Flynn - Lee
Donald Sage Mackay- Saul
Madeleine Potter - Mom
Creatives:
Matthew Dunster - Director
Jon Bausor - Designer
Joshua Carr - Lighting Designer
Ian Dickinson - Sound Designer
Johnny Flynn & Joe Zeitlin - Composers
Amy Ball - Casting
Reviews:
★★★★★ – ‘True West is one to put on your ‘not to be missed’ list this winter.’- Broadwayworld.com
★★★★ – ‘Matthew Dunster’s production is a powerful, punchy evening’ – Mail on Sunday
★★★★ – ‘Kit Harington and Johnny Flynn electrify’ – Evening Standard
★★★★ – ‘Matthew Dunster’s terrifically performed production’ – Metro
★★★★ – ‘Intense and Seductive’ – Radio Times
★★★★ – ‘Wickedly funny’ – The Stage
TRUE WEST by Sam Shepard
23rd November – 23rd February 2019
Vaudeville Theatre
Kit Harington and Johnny Flynn star in the West End Premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winner Sam Shepard’s ferociously funny, modern classic, True West.
Austin is working on a movie script that he has sold to producer Saul Kimmer when Lee stumbles back in to his life. Never content to watch from the sidelines, he pitches his own idea to Kimmer, an action which has far reaching consequences…
Set against the searing heat of the Californian desert, Shepard’s critically acclaimed drama pits brother against brother as a family tears itself apart, exposing the cracks in the American Dream.
Cast:
Kit Harington - Austin
Johnny Flynn - Lee
Donald Sage Mackay- Saul
Madeleine Potter - Mom
Creatives:
Matthew Dunster - Director
Jon Bausor - Designer
Joshua Carr - Lighting Designer
Ian Dickinson - Sound Designer
Johnny Flynn & Joe Zeitlin - Composers
Amy Ball - Casting
Reviews:
★★★★★ – ‘True West is one to put on your ‘not to be missed’ list this winter.’- Broadwayworld.com
★★★★ – ‘Matthew Dunster’s production is a powerful, punchy evening’ – Mail on Sunday
★★★★ – ‘Kit Harington and Johnny Flynn electrify’ – Evening Standard
★★★★ – ‘Matthew Dunster’s terrifically performed production’ – Metro
★★★★ – ‘Intense and Seductive’ – Radio Times
★★★★ – ‘Wickedly funny’ – The Stage
Killer Joe
KILLER JOE by Tracy Letts
18th May – 18th August 2018
Trafalgar Studios
“This really isn’t somethin’ we can afford to cut corners on … Killer Joe’s a professional, and he’ll do this right.”
Hollywood star Orlando Bloom (Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy, Will Turner in the Pirates of the Caribbean series) plays a cop who moonlights as a killer-for-hire in the West End production of multi award-winning Tracy Letts’ violent and darkly comic, Killer Joe.
The Smith family hatch a plan to murder their estranged matriarch for her insurance money. They hire Killer Joe Cooper, a police detective and part-time contract killer, to do the job. But once he enters their trailer home, he comes face to face with the innocent daughter and their simple plan spirals out of control…
“A tense, gut-twisting thriller ride” (Chicago Tribune)
Killer Joe asks where the moral line is drawn in the fight for survival.
Cast:
Orlando Bloom - Joe
Sophie Cookson - Dottie
Adam Gillen - Chris
Neve McIntosh - Sharla
Steffan Rhodri - Ansel
Creatives:
Simon Evans - Director
Grace Smart - Designer
Richard Howell - Lighting Designer
Edward Lewis - Composer & Sound Designer
Ellie Collyer-Bristow - Casting
Reviews
★★★★★ – ‘A sharper, tenser, more violently entertaining night in the theatre you will not find’- Libby Purves
★★★★★ – Orlando Bloom’s mesmerising performance’ – the Sun
★★★★ – ‘unnerving and darkly comic – The Guardian
★★★★ – ‘Simon Evans’ gripping production – Metro
★★★★ – The Times
★★★★ – Financial Times
★★★★ – Daily Mail
18th May – 18th August 2018
Trafalgar Studios
“This really isn’t somethin’ we can afford to cut corners on … Killer Joe’s a professional, and he’ll do this right.”
Hollywood star Orlando Bloom (Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy, Will Turner in the Pirates of the Caribbean series) plays a cop who moonlights as a killer-for-hire in the West End production of multi award-winning Tracy Letts’ violent and darkly comic, Killer Joe.
The Smith family hatch a plan to murder their estranged matriarch for her insurance money. They hire Killer Joe Cooper, a police detective and part-time contract killer, to do the job. But once he enters their trailer home, he comes face to face with the innocent daughter and their simple plan spirals out of control…
“A tense, gut-twisting thriller ride” (Chicago Tribune)
Killer Joe asks where the moral line is drawn in the fight for survival.
Cast:
Orlando Bloom - Joe
Sophie Cookson - Dottie
Adam Gillen - Chris
Neve McIntosh - Sharla
Steffan Rhodri - Ansel
Creatives:
Simon Evans - Director
Grace Smart - Designer
Richard Howell - Lighting Designer
Edward Lewis - Composer & Sound Designer
Ellie Collyer-Bristow - Casting
Reviews
★★★★★ – ‘A sharper, tenser, more violently entertaining night in the theatre you will not find’- Libby Purves
★★★★★ – Orlando Bloom’s mesmerising performance’ – the Sun
★★★★ – ‘unnerving and darkly comic – The Guardian
★★★★ – ‘Simon Evans’ gripping production – Metro
★★★★ – The Times
★★★★ – Financial Times
★★★★ – Daily Mail
The Whale
The Whale by Samuel D.Hunter
26th April – 2nd June 2018
Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath
In a small town on the outskirts of Mormon Country, Idaho, Charlie, a reclusive online writing instructor, lives marooned on a couch. Weighing in at six hundred pounds, he is slowly eating himself to death.
But redemption may be within reach as he tries to reconnect with his sharp-tongued daughter, estranged from him for 15 years. A conveyor belt of visitors – welcome and otherwise – move through his living room, from his friend and nurse Liz, the sister of his deceased boyfriend, to Elder Thomas, a hopeful young missionary and Mary, his ex-wife. Can any of them help him to see a future?
The Whale, an Off Broadway smash hit, is the huge-hearted and fiercely funny story of a father’s final chance at salvation, and of finding hope and beauty in the most unexpected places.
Cast:
Shuler Hensley – Charlie
Ruth Gemmell – Liz
Oscar Batterham – Elder Thomas
Rosie Sheehy – Ellie
Teresa Banham – Mary
Creatives:
Laurence Boswell - Director
Tim Shortall - Designer
Ben Ormerod - Lighting Designer
Jon Nicholls - Composer & Sound Designer
Ginny Schiller - Casting
Reviews:
★★★★★ “Shuler Hensley is SUPERB … In an exceptionally strong cast, Rosie Sheehy is a knockout … Sheehy is one of the finds of the year” Observer
★★★★ “A little beauty of a drama…Laurence Boswell’s sharp, sympathetic production. Shuler Hensley is OUTSTANDING” The Times
★★★★ “A SUPERB performance by Shuler Hensley … utterly plausible” The Sunday Times
★★★★★ “It’s the depths of passion in the text and masterclass in performance that holds you spellbound … it knocked the stuffing out of me. UNMISSABLE” WhatsOnStage
26th April – 2nd June 2018
Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath
In a small town on the outskirts of Mormon Country, Idaho, Charlie, a reclusive online writing instructor, lives marooned on a couch. Weighing in at six hundred pounds, he is slowly eating himself to death.
But redemption may be within reach as he tries to reconnect with his sharp-tongued daughter, estranged from him for 15 years. A conveyor belt of visitors – welcome and otherwise – move through his living room, from his friend and nurse Liz, the sister of his deceased boyfriend, to Elder Thomas, a hopeful young missionary and Mary, his ex-wife. Can any of them help him to see a future?
The Whale, an Off Broadway smash hit, is the huge-hearted and fiercely funny story of a father’s final chance at salvation, and of finding hope and beauty in the most unexpected places.
Cast:
Shuler Hensley – Charlie
Ruth Gemmell – Liz
Oscar Batterham – Elder Thomas
Rosie Sheehy – Ellie
Teresa Banham – Mary
Creatives:
Laurence Boswell - Director
Tim Shortall - Designer
Ben Ormerod - Lighting Designer
Jon Nicholls - Composer & Sound Designer
Ginny Schiller - Casting
Reviews:
★★★★★ “Shuler Hensley is SUPERB … In an exceptionally strong cast, Rosie Sheehy is a knockout … Sheehy is one of the finds of the year” Observer
★★★★ “A little beauty of a drama…Laurence Boswell’s sharp, sympathetic production. Shuler Hensley is OUTSTANDING” The Times
★★★★ “A SUPERB performance by Shuler Hensley … utterly plausible” The Sunday Times
★★★★★ “It’s the depths of passion in the text and masterclass in performance that holds you spellbound … it knocked the stuffing out of me. UNMISSABLE” WhatsOnStage
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Rhiannon Handy
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