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

Theatre Review: Curious but cute.

Red Peppers by Noel Coward and Aged in Wood by Cian Griffin

Theatre At The Tabard

2 Bath Road
London
W4 1LW

🍷🍷🍷🍷 – 4 out of 5 glasses of fine claret! (Or Opening Night Champagne!)

The latest offering at the brilliant Tabard Theatre is Director Jason Moore’s double bill, which pairs Noel Coward’s 30-minute theatrical two-act play, Red Peppers (actually, more a sketch than a play), with Aged in Wood, a new, comedic work by Cian Griffin. Set in the same provincial theatre dressing room, 90 years apart, both pieces offer a glimpse into a difficult day for has-been actors, onstage and off, with bitching, bickering, and banter. To be be brutally honest, not a lot happens in either play – they are a bit light on plot – but it’s another example of the Tabard Theatre programming ‘against trend’ and it proves a strangely amusing and entertaining night out. You’ll ‘lovey’ it!

And the performances are great too. Red Peppers manages to capture the grimy, fading world of second-rate music hall. It was written by Noel Coward to specifically showcase the singing and dancing skills of himself and wife Gertrude Lawrence. The music-hall double act of George Pepper (played by Jon Osbaldeston) and his wife, Lily (Jessica Martin) have been delivering the same song and comedy routine for 15 years, much of it inherited from George’s father! Things are not too good with the couple, but they come together when faced with outside challenges!

Red Peppers is fun. It’s a look back into a forgotten world of entertainment. And I think the obviously ‘theatrical’ press night audience also appreciated it, especially the singing and dancing with its with rictus grins and grimy sailor suits. And the brilliantly groan-inducing jokes. “Why is midnight like the roof of a house? It’s ‘slate”! And both shows look good too! The tabs (the red curtains) look like they have always been there.

The second play, Aged in Wood takes place in the present day in the same dressing room as the first play. And not much has changed.

Deena Ames (Martin) a former musical theatre actress of a certain age now working in the provinces, has several personal and professional problems. Her son (Rhys Cannon) now looks better in her clothes than she does, her husband, Henry (Osbaldeston) has walked out, her leading man, Rufus (a hilarious Gill) can’t remember his lines and her daughter wants to move out to live with Dad. So we can appreciate the strain her life is under

Deena and her agent Avis (Vansittart) offer a shorthand view of a long relationship based on half-truths, flattery, and tolerance even if it is a bit ‘Ab Fab’ on occasions, while Henry offers an insight into the battle between career ambition and those left at home.

It’s an unusual, occasionally flat, but great night out! And there are some great lines too. A must for theatre fans.

Join the Literary Pub Crawl team!

If you are a (sociable!) writer or tour guide or actor and fancy presenting The London Literary Pub Crawl, get in touch! They’re recruiting new guides. audition@mavericktheatre.co.uk

The acclaimed Lit Pub Crawl and its HIGHLY DESIRED Beer mats!