Author Archives: Nick Hennegan

Writer and creator of The London Literary Pub Crawl.com. and a few plays. BohemianBritain.com. Event and Theatre Producer. Done quite a bit on the wireless too!

THEATRE REVIEW : ‘On Demand.’ by Duncan Campbell.

Theatre At The Tabard
2 Bath Road
London
W4 1LW

Another Intriguing Gem from the Talented Tabard Theatre Team.

I knew absolutely nothing about this new play by (now local) writer, Duncan Campbell. And to start with it wasn’t too obvious what was going on. A taxi driver (?) picks up an American woman from a station. No, he’s not a taxi driver, but they’re obviously strangers. He is called Matt (Sam Hill) and she’s called Peaches (Rita Estevanovich). They have arranged to meet, yet it’s obvious they do not know each other and the plot thickens when we find out they are en route to visit a man seemingly celebrating his 80th birthday. A man neither of them appears to have met before! Then Peaches insists they stop to buy him a birthday cake, which adds to the mystery.

We then meet Trevor, the elderly man in question, an artist originally from Birmingham. Played brilliantly by John Gorick, he sits muttering to himself alone in a restaurant debating the menus, then ordering and reordering. He is obviously frail. Matt and Peaches arrive – they seem to get on a bit better now – but with a notable lack of kindness or respect, they whisk Trevor away from his meal with promises of a cliff-top sunset and a gourmet picnic. For some reason!

The rest of the story unfolds on that cliff top. It’s a play best experienced without spoilers, but we slowly discover the true nature of this meeting and the characters’ motivations slowly reveal themselves.

Trevor’s colourful past is brought vividly to life through stage visuals featuring photographs from the Swinging Sixties and a wonderful soundtrack that evokes the era’s energy. As a person of a certain age who used hang out in Soho (and still does!) I loved it when he spoke fondly and candidly about his bohemian years. His friendships with artistic giants like Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, the paths he followed and why he did some of the things he did. I think many of us can relate to wrong choices made!

It’s a fascinating offering – but it’s not perfect. Some of the dialogue is frankly a bit clunky and their take on the Peaches character means she is not quite as relatable as she could be. There were even occasions when it was difficult to hear the dialogue!

Director Nick Bromley made some great directorial choices though. Trevor’s dramatically lit, almost ‘front of cloth’ 60’s dance sequence was remarkable, and it’s a shame these tropes didn’t go further or occur again. Technically it was great too with a tight sound and light offering.

Niggles apart, again, the Tabard have one again given us a little theatrical gem. A very topical gem, too – but I won’t spoil it for you. It’s a bit of a rough-cut gem perhaps, but it’s a must see, 90-minutes one act world premiere – in their now air-conditioned theatre!

Don’t forget (nearly a spoiler!) to go see it – before it’s too late!

PICTURES: Matt Hunter.

Latest exciting USA, Edinburgh and London News…!

Hi all

Welcome to the latest Maverick news.

We’re in the USA, Edinburgh and most importantly, with the People! 

We’ve just launched the SECOND Maverick People’s Theatre Company. A new concept where ANYONE who wants to get involved in theatre – on stage, front of house, admin, marketing or backstage – can do so and receive top professional training – for FREE!

No experience needed – just a desire to be involved in a show!

We’re trying to raise the funds to make this happen. The local authority have said they’ll support us financially if enough people are interested, so if you’ve got even just a couple of quid, you could make a massive difference to the accessible theatre scene! There are more details on our website HERE if you’d like to get involved.

We’re not in Kansas, Toto…

But Nick Hennegan will be! After success in London and at the Edinburgh Fringe last summer, he’s been invited to create and perform ‘The First Kansas City (Not London) Literary Pub Crawl’ in Kansas City, Mo. in July! 

And talking of the Literary Pub Crawl…

Yep… we’re at the Edinburgh Fringe again in August!

After the sell-out success of The First Edinburgh (NOT LONDON) Literary Pub Crawl last year, Nick is back at the world’s biggest open arts festival. 

CHRIS JOHNSON on Facebook 

“Nick’s tour was so much fun! If you are at the Fringe this year, I’d say it’s a must-do.” Further information and tickts

A Ghost of A Chance has finished in London. But it may soon be haunting a Kitchen near you!

The Creative Crew from A Ghost of A Chance, at The Tabard Theatre, London. 

Left, Juliet Ibberson (Tammy) centre, Nick Hennegan, (Writer and Director) and right, Greg Snowden (Bob).

Writer and Director Nick Hennegan said “It was very intense, recreating a show I wrote 20-odd years ago. It won a Guinness award through the National Theatre and was directed by the genius John Adams and featured  Paul Henry (Benny from Crossroads) as Bob and the lovely Justyn Luke Towler as Tim, Bob’s son. This time, Tim became Tammy and we had a Daddy/Daughter rather than Daddy/Son relationship. It was intense and brilliant working with Juliet and Greg and I still miss them. We’re looking at a national tour next year. 

I’m also re-writing the book about the original production to include a history of Maverick. You can pre-order (and get free tickets to the launch parties!) at my site. www.NickHennegan.com 

A few recent Reviews of A Ghost of A Chance.

***** Book It! See It! Applaud It! A brilliant show and my oh my.. the cast are superb!

Chiswick W4

Who doesn’t like a well told spine chiller? Well, there’s a fine example at the Tabard right now in the form of A Ghost of a Chance,

Chiswick Calendar 

An absorbing, entertaining play, full of originality 

The Stage

Nick has also been asked to host an event in September at the Chiswick Book Festival! Called  ‘London’s Lost Pubs’. Details to follow soon! Hic!

We’re so grateful to have you with us and excited for what’s ahead. Thanks so much!

Maverick Theatre Company

Falcon House,

Suit 3, First Floor Front, 

141-143 King Street

London W6 9JG