Rose Theatre Kingston, The Original Theatre Company and Karl Sydow present
Valued Friends
by Stephen Jeffreys
directed by Michael Fentiman
Fri 20 Sep – Sat 12 Oct, Rose Theatre Kingston
“You used to get some really good conversation in this flat. Burning issues and moral dilemmas and things. Now all everyone talks about is money.”
It’s 1980s London and change is happening. The city is ablaze with social, political and cultural upheaval and in a basement flat in Earls Court, four friends in their mid-thirties are scrabbling to keep their heads above water.
Housemates for more than 10 years, Sherry is a hapless, quirky comedian; Paul, a keen music journalist; Marion, a straight-talking realist; and Howard, an earnest academic writing about the corruption of capitalism. The friends are thrown unexpectedly into a battle of nerves when a young, confident property developer offers them a substantial fee to vacate their home in West London.
Spurred on by the revolutions of their time, they quickly realise they hold all the cards in this real-life game of Monopoly and over the course of three years, they manipulate a burgeoning property market one cup of tea at a time.
Stephen Jeffreys’ play was an instant classic when first performed at Hampstead Theatre in 1989 winning the Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright, with a cast that featured Jane Horrocks, Peter Capaldi, Tim McInnerny, Serena Gordon, Martin Clunes and Peter Caffrey.
Valued Friends is a compelling comedy drama set to the soundtrack of 1980s London and against the backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain. This brand new production directed by Michael Fentiman will be the first revival of the play in 30 years.
Rehearsal photos (c) Pamela Raith
The Details
Show, reviews, cast and production details
It’s 1980s London and change is happening. The city is ablaze with social, political and cultural upheaval and in a basement flat in Earls Court, four friends in their mid-thirties are scrabbling to keep their heads above water.
Housemates for more than 10 years, Sherry is a hapless, quirky comedian; Paul, a keen music journalist; Marion, a straight-talking realist; and Howard, an earnest academic writing about the corruption of capitalism. The friends are thrown unexpectedly into a battle of nerves when a young, confident property developer offers them a substantial fee to vacate their home in West London.
Spurred on by the revolutions of their time, they quickly realise they hold all the cards in this real-life game of Monopoly and over the course of three years, they manipulate a burgeoning property market one cup of tea at a time.
Stephen Jeffreys’ play was an instant classic when first performed at Hampstead Theatre in 1989 winning the Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright, with a cast that featured Jane Horrocks, Peter Capaldi, Tim McInnerny, Serena Gordon, Martin Clunes and Peter Caffrey.
Valued Friends is a compelling comedy drama set to the soundtrack of 1980s London and against the backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain. This brand new production directed by Michael Fentiman will be the first revival of the play in 30 years.
CAST
Natalie Casey l Sherry
Ralph Davis l Scott
Sam Frenchum l Paul
Michael Marcus l Paul
Catrin Stewart l Marion
Nicolas Tennant l Stewart
CREATIVE TEAM
Director l Michael Fentiman
Set Design l Michael Taylor
Costume Design l Madeleine Girling
Lighting Design l Nic Farman
Sound Design l Richard Hammarton
Casting Director l Serena Hill
Rehearsal Photos
Take a look at the cast in action…
