THE BERKOFF PLAYS,
DIRECTed by THE COMEDY LEGENDS, BETHANIE HAYES & AARON HAYES
Troupe 22 Theatre Company give their take on two comedic masterpieces by Steven Berkoff, a pioneer of expressionism and physical, stylised, 'heightened' theatre that breaks boundaries and gets 'in the audiences' faces' with bold, expressive language, physicality, and vibrant characters. Troupe22 meets 'Berkovian' theatre to form this unique style of comedy in their interpretation of these two plays.
DAHLING YOU WERE MARVELOUS
The lights come down on a night of rousing theatre performances in London's West End, and the fabulous casts of larger-than-life, flamboyant actors, eccentric directors, producers & wannabes, burst into the nearby highly exclusive restaurant for celebratory drinks and merriment! Echoes of "Dahling you were marvellous!" fill the air, with huge hugs and kisses of adoration all round, while behind their backs tearing apart each other's performance. As glasses of sparkling champagne flow around the room, actors become increasingly obsessive over their performances, desperate for validation and recognition from the directors, producers, critics on the other tables, all vying for their attention by any means. Clumps of pompous producers become increasingly passionate about their next big ego projects, and their 'God-given' right to create 'artistic disasters'. We gain an insight into the world of a 'showbiz watering hole', where behind the glamour and 'Dahling' greetings, the place is full of superficiality, vanity, insecurity and pretentiousness, in this play of chaotic hilarity.
CAST
Linda – ANNA FEY
Steve – JORDYN LINKLATER
Sid – FENELLA WATKINS HALE
Sycophant – Summer Stringfellow
Brick – SOT A
Sir Michael – MYLES LOVELL
Tart - GEORGIA BRYSON
Producer – Tully Klein
Assistant Producer – AGNIESZKA WIECLAWSKA
Terry Adams – Jack Gregson
Billy – Precious Oguntoyinbo
Fat Producer – FRANCESCA WOODS
Producer Secretary – Jade Vertannes
Morris Welder – HAWA SESAY
Would-Be Producer – Felix Maramba
Sloany Female - PELUMI ADEDAYO-BAMIDELE
Garry – AARON JAMES
The Bar Manager – DELA RUTH HINI & CHLOE LAUREN CHEUNG
3 Sisters – CHLOE LAUREN CHEUNG, Jade Vertannes, AGNIESZKA WIECLAWSKA
Dicky Tong - Premo Miriki
The Barman - Adam Wadge
Italian Man - GIANLORENZO NERI
Various Ensemble Characters / Guests – Multiple cast members sharing roles
PURGATORY
John, a classically trained Shakespearean actor, is moving into a run-down, dishevelled apartment block, which due to his noble artistic integrity, is all he can afford. Run by the straight-talking, no-nonsense landlady Betty, who is not impressed by John's Shakespeare and theatre spiel, and just wants a tenant that won't cause any fuss, and doesn't want any 'weirdos'. While unpacking, John finds solace in reciting the words of his beloved Shakespeare, which pricks the ears of his neighbouring flatmate, Sarah, who, when she introduces herself to John and expresses how deeply moved and affected she was by his beautiful poetry, takes his breath away, and in Sarah he sees a vision of Heaven in this 'Purgatory'.
CAST
John – BEN RATH (@ brath) & HARRISON BOOTH
Sara – ELIZABETH JADE ROSE
Betty – CHLOE RAY
Ted – MYLES LOVELL
ABOUT STEVEN BERKOFF
Steven Berkoff’s plays, explore the use of mime, stylized movement, exaggerated vocal work, direct asides and improvisations within an ensemble environment, which are are all key feature in his writing style.
Directed by Bethanie Hayes and Aaron Hayes, the two will continue his exploration with their direction, style and set design of Troupe 22’s adaptation of these two plays.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director & Producer - Bethanie Hayes (ELIZABETH JADE ROSE)
Director & Producer - Aaron Hayes (Stage-name AARON JAMES)
Lighting Designer & Technician - Amalia Cohan
Stage Manager - Jess Speller