by John Cargill Thompson
With John Brenner as the King, directed by Chris Pickles:
William Rufus - from a moral standpoint, arguably the most evil person ever to wear the English crown - turns his infamous temper on William Shakespeare for omitting to write a play about his turbulent reign and spectacular assassination in the heart of the New Forest.
'Holds the attention to the end . . . A bright,
fast-moving and amusing evening's theatre.'
What's On in London
'Absorbing, funny and stimulating . . . Craftily
concocted and slicky performed . . .'
Wandsworth Borough Guardian
'A gripping history mystery . . . an interesting
performance piece for a talented actor.'
Richmond Times
Romeo and Juliet: Happily Never After
by John Cargill Thompson
With Jennifer Burgess as Juliet and Chris Pickles as Romeo, directed by
John Brenner
The star-crossed lovers are allowed to survive until their eighteenth anniversary. Not suitable for those of a romantic disposition!
'Two great performances from Chris Pickles and
Jennifer Burgess as the star-crossed lovers gone to seed.'
Richmond Times
'Directed with energy by John Brenner and beautifully
played by both Pickles and Burgess.'
What's On in London
'Both actors do full justice to the comic potential
of the script with spot-on timing . . . Maim to get a ticket.'
The Scotsman
'Chris Pickles and Jennifer Burgess are superb
. . . Recommended.'
Edinburgh Evening News
by Paul Webb
With Fenella Fielding as the Duchess and Kay D'Arcy as the Woman, directed
by John Brenner:
This black comedy has the Duchess of Windsor looking back on her life, from Baltimore to Buckingham Palace, in the run-up to her husband's funeral -"I was Richard III dressed by Molyneux". But is she prepared to do anything to satisfy her lust for power and world recognition - even commit the ultimate crime?
'Savagely funny . . . Fielding and Webb with their
director, John Brenner, manage to make the idea of Wallis as a latter-day
female Richard III wildly and wonderfully plausible in a production of considerable
intelligence and eccentricity.'
Sheridan Morley - International Herald Tribune
'Fielding gives a terrific performance that is absolutely spot-on . . . A witty and thought-provoking piece.' What's On in London
'Absorbing and amusing play . . .a bravura performance by Fenella Fielding'. . . a devastating portrait of a monstrous woman, she makes her villainess fascinating and even wins some sympathy . . . Recommended.' Camden New Journal
'Funny, often cruel . . .well worth watching.'
Theatreworld Internet Magazine
by Thomas Dekker
A co-production with Troupe Theatre Company
With Steven Black, John Brenner, Jennifer Burgess, Richard Burnip, Andy
Hawthorn, Dennis Herdman, Hannah Jackson, Duncan Law, Barbara Muston, James
Quarton, Philippe Spall, Harry Thompson, Jeremy Todd, Sally Woodfield, directed
by Simon Purse.
Simon Eyre, the wonderfully mad shoemaker of Tower Street, rises through the ranks to become Lord Mayor of London in a race not unlike the recent one, but infinitely more entertaining.
'What better way to spend a fine summer's evening
in London.'
The Guide
'The production is quite as funny as you could
wish a period comedy . . . something to be proud of.'
What's On in London
'Deliciously youthful, bright, clean, clear and
brisk fun, simply staged and as welcome and fresh as a cooling breeze.'
The Stage
by John Waters
Musical arrangements by Felix Rigg.
With Catherine Brady, John Brenner, Derek Carlyle, Justine Powell, Andrew
Vesper, directed by John Brenner:
A new one-act pantomime telling the ever popular story of Aladdin and his wonderful lamp in the traditional style, including 6 songs which combine music hall tunes with freshly-minted lyrics.
'Charming Edwardian pantomime . . . all the essential
ingredients of the genre but in miniature, providing a perfect 65-minute
realisation of country house entertainment of the kind that once, for example,
brought Royals together with their retinues for Christmas theatricals at
Windsor Castle.'
The Stage
'Magic carpet ride of a panto.'
Hot Tickets
by John Waters with musical arrangements
by Felix Rigg.
With John Brenner, Richard Burnip, Andrea Gordon, Andrew Vesper, Sara Wakefield,
directed by John Waters:
This entertaining and stimulating production of the most popular of the pantomime stories is told in the traditional style, with rhyming couplets, songs and knockabout comedy.
'Take a bow, Felix Rigg. This talended composer/arranger
has provided another high quality soundtrack of music hall melodies, providing
a light, tuneful setting for the lyrics of its latest pantomime in miniature
. . . keeping the wassail going through Twelfth Night.'
The Stage
'I left with a spring in my step . . .the excellent cast of five capture the true spirit of traditional pantomime.' Ealing and Acton Gazette
by John Marston
A co-production with Troupe Theatre Company.
With John Brenner, Jennifer Burgess, Rachele Dryden-Smith, Michael Eaves,
Andrew Hodgson, Hannah Jackson, Daniel Leatherdale, Philippe Spall, Harry
Thompson and Sally Woodfield, directed by Alex Chisholm.
London 1605 - a dirty, dangerous city, teaming with city slickers, wide
boys, whores and cheats. This is the setting for Marston's bawdy comedy
of bad manners, an enquiry into the extent to which the natural desires
of man can be suppressed in the supposed interest of 'higher' activities.
'A most attractive and satisfying evening in the
theatre . . . an excellent cast ... quite remarkable performances . .
. I recommend the evening wholeheartedly.'
Wandsworth Borough News
'A cracking evening . . . bottom pinchingly
good!'
Putney and Wimbledon Times
'A tremendous evening's entertainment . . .
You're bound to enjoy yourself.'
Croydon Advertiser
'Alex Chisholm's
production has a vigour and completeness . . . it deserves recognition
and respect.'
Ian Shuttleworth for the Financial Times
by John Waters
Original music and musical arrangements by Felix Rigg
With John Brenner, Rachele Dryden-Smith, Hannah Jackson, Paul Hampton and Andrew Vesper, directed by John Waters:
This new version of the popular pantomime story, presented in the traditional style and performed by a cast of five, is the last in the trilogy of Comyns Carr's one-act pantomimes. In addition to incorporating rhyming couplets and all the old panto gags, it includes parodies of music hall songs and original music by Felix Rigg.