Nick Hennegan's Bohemian Britain
Lifestyle tales from the city
Nick Hennegan celebrates the birth of Bram Stoker, writer of Dracula… and the ‘birth’ of his new Radio Science-Fiction Young Adult Drama, George Holmes and the 7 Dimensions. Hear the first-ever episode here.
The Business of Murder, by Richard Harris.
Theatre at The Tabard, The Tabard Pub, Bath Road, Chiswick, London W4.
🍷🍷🍷🍷 🥃 4 out of 5 Wines. A small vodka. And a large Whiskey!
They’re killing it at the Tabard Theatre – and it’s easy to see why with this latest offering from writing legend Richard Harris.
I’m personally not a great fan of murder mysteries. I’ve had numerous friends perform in Agatha Christie’s The Mouse Trap in the West End – and I’ve still never seen it. But this offering is more than a simple whodunnit. Because for most of the play, you are not sure what’s been dun! Unlike most in this genre, it cleverly does NOT start with a murder we have to solve. But a series of events set in a first-floor flat in London sometime in the early 1980’s. With three apparently unconnected strangers. But we find out, as things develop, they are all involved in The Business of Murder! Writer Richard describes the piece as a “WhyDunnit rather than a WhoDunnit…” and he’s right!
It’s a clever thriller dripping in quality. I had no previous knowledge of the play, but once again the tiny Theatre At The Tabard are punching above their weight. The set looks more West End than Fringe! As do the technical effects. And the cast, award-winning professionals, are all perfect too. From (ex-Minder) Garry Webster’s, seen-it-all copper, Hallet, through Charlotte Hunter’s creatively alluring prim writer, Dee, through to Miles Gallant’s pedantic but charming flat owner, Stone, none of them put a creative foot wrong and give complete, solid performances.
And Nick Bromley’s direction is assured and detailed too. From little touches like the fourth wall mirror, to Stone’s constant buttoning and unbuttoning of his jacket, Bromley ensures the pace never falters and we are drawn into their world.
If there’s a slight niggle, the second act felt a little bit overlong, but it’s just a niggle. This is theatre of the highest quality in all its elements. I can completely see why Richard Harris and The Business of Murder ran for years in the West End.
Kill for a ticket! You know it makes good Business sense!
Nick Hennegan.
The Business of Murder continues until 23 November.
Standard price tickets cost £23.50/£19.50 concessions. Final 2 weeks £25.50/£21.50 concessions. Running Time Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 15 minute interval.
Coming up at the Tabard
Theatre at the Tabard is at 2 Bath Road, Chiswick (W4 1LW).
Another great night on the London Literary Pub Crawl with thinking drinkers from London, Kent, Birmingham… and China! 🇨🇳
George Holmes is a normal boy who lives on a council estate in Birmingham with his younger sister, Libby, his older brother, Andy and his Mom and Dad.
George has a bit of trouble with a local bully, but is rescued by his best friend Dermot, who appears on his bike and gives George a lift home. But then at home, a strange event happens that will change all their lives forever…
Duration 7′ 26″. Written, Directed and Produced by Nick Hennegan. Original music and studio production by Robb Williams. Thanks to the Cross Keys Pub, Hammersmith, London. Presented by the Maverick People’s Theatre Company.
Starring Lucy Barton, Rebecca Bright, Grace Manson, Nick Hennegan and Henry Richards. With Rebecca Raybone. Credits VoiceOver Mason Laird.
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Preparing for the first episode of George Holmes and the 7 Dimensions, I was suddenly aware of our location in Hammersmith. The Cross Keys Pub where we recorded the episode is a a great local boozer, but I’ve just realised it’s in a very refined area! And so am I! A bit of a shock for a kid from an inner city council estate! Which, by the way, is where George starts..!
If reaction to the first episode is positive enough, I might try and find funds to continue. We’ve all done this for free so far.
#georgeholmesandthe7dimensions #islandrecords #cbs #u2 #bobmarley #hammersmith #writers #harrypotter #audio #london #ace
The Beatles were the biggest band in the world. Nick Hennegan celebrates the life – and death – of founder and artist John Lennon.
I love writing, love actors, love directing and love kids and LOVED seeing these little actors bringing my fictional characters to life tonight. ‘George Holmes and the 7 Dimensions’ is coming soon. #ghatsd
The Tabard Theatre
Bath Road,
Chiswick, London W4.
🍷🍷🍷🍷 🧃 4 and an end of innings lemonade out of 5.
https://tabard.org.uk/whats-on/jacks-ashes/
It could have been all balls, bales and googlies and I was worried about being caught out leg behind wicket with this new solo cricket offering from Tim Marriott. Because I know nothing about cricket… indeed I am spectacularly bad at nearly all sports. But I needn’t have worried. The sublime Marriott serves this tale of friendship, failure and the need for men to speak out with a straight bat!
We find ourselves in the dressing room of a charity cricket match – The Gary Browne Memorial T20 (It’s a cricket match. No idea what a T20 is. You won’t need to know!) And as all good drama should, Marriott presents the entertaining and often very funny and moving story of Jack ‘Mazza’ Mason, former professional cricketer and now coach of the team, with his usual verve and skill. Although he’s not alone on stage. He address the absent ‘Lightning’ and is visited by various voices and memories – not least the voice of his old mentor ‘Bumpy’ Williams.
In fact, for a solo show it’s quite complicated technically, with video and sound throughout. But it’s from the UK Solo Show Stable of Excellence. Tim had commercial success on TV with The Brittas Empire, but his recent solo shows are notoriously excellent. And he lists the brilliant Nicholas Collett as helping with development. And his own sons appear in the video at the start along with some famous cricketing names.
Lines like “Don’t count the days – make the days count.” And the notion of “we should all be kinder to each other” are takeaways from this excellent hour. Respect to the Australian Cricket establishment and Arts Council England for supporting this production, written by Marriott and former professional cricketer Matt Barnes and directed by Hannah Maxwell and Annabel Fen Marriott.
It’s a completely contemporary piece that completely speaks to today. It’s never preachy and I hope the English Cricket authorities are as supportive as the Aussies have been. Tell your favourite sports fan to get to The Tabard and see it before they run out of overs and the game ends.
WINNER – Best Theatre Award, Adelaide Fringe 23.
Meet the brilliant new cast for the pilot Episode of ‘George Holmes and the 7 Dimensions’ Coming soon!
We had an initial meeting this week so I could hear the voices and find the characters, but they were a great and brilliantly talented bunch.
I’d forgotten how much fun working with young actors can be.
Watch this space…!
I’ve been blown away by the (especially young) talent who are going to help us get our first, 10 minute audio drama on the air.
The first recording is tomorrow. The first episode of #GHATSD should be finished by the end of the month!
