FRANK AND PERCY TRANSFERS TO LONDON
Frank and Percy will transfer to The Other Palace in London from 8th september to 3rd december.
The play is based on the unexpected connection that blossoms between two older men. It is directed by Sean Mathias, while also designed by Morgan Large, with lighting design by Nick Richings and sound design by Andy Graham.
The production will mark the launch of a new writing development fund at The Other Palace. 50p from each ticket sold on all future productions in the main house, will be used to fund new writing and emerging playwrights.
The Other Palace owner and producer Bill Kenwright said: “In welcoming Ian and Roger to our theatre we are also thrilled to use this limited London run at The Other Palace to launch our new development levy, to enable us provide further paid opportunities to develop the next generation of theatre makers and writers.”
Frank and Percy will run from 8 September to 3 December 2023.
FRANK AND PERCY REVIEWS
Photo credit: Jack Merriman
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ the new european
"A very special evening."
★ ★ ★ ★ The Times
“Try to imagine what would happen if Alan Bennett were to rewrite Brokeback Mountain.”
★ ★ ★ ★ Evening Standard
“A radical odd-couple romance. If you want to hear Ian McKellen make jokes about deep-throating a cucumber, this is the show for you.”
Photo credit: Jack Merriman
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Theatre Weekly
"Funny, heartfelt, and a truly beautiful piece of theatre.”
★ ★ ★ ★ the independent
"Weatherill feels like he trained in the school of last-century greats such as Victoria Wood and Alan Ayckbourn.”
★ ★ ★ ★ TIME OUT
“Ian McKellen and Roger Allam are a delight in this spikey comedy.”
★ ★ ★ ★ Mail on Sunday
“Ben Weatherill’s warm comedy comes with sudden swoops of piercing emotion you don’t expect.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ BATH life MAGAZINE
“A compassionate circumstantial comedy-with-depth, celebrating the meaning of love beyond a certain age.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ fairy powered productions
“A comedy about friendship, reflection, confrontation, and everywhere in-between.”
★ ★ ★ ★ stage talk magazine
“A gay relationship that seeps into the bones of the two protagonists, and indeed the audience.”
WORLD PREMIERE OF FRANK AND PERCY
Frank and Percy is a poignant and witty take on the unexpected relationship that blossoms between two men. Devoted to their canine companions, they believe that human connection is far more temperamental, but can Frank, a widowed schoolteacher and Percy, a somewhat radical elder statesman, find the time for new infatuation, or should they just let sleeping dogs lie?
It's a love story about second chances, time, loneliness and shy hearts.
The play will run at:
Theatre Royal Windsor (9th June - 22nd July 2023) GET TICKETS
Theatre Royal Bath (25th July - 5th August 2023) GET TICKETS
Tickets from £20
Feeling very grateful and excited! x
EAST MIDLANDS PLAYWRITING COURSE
I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with the Curve theatre in Leicester on a new playwriting scheme for creatives in the East Midlands.
Over eight sessions, eight writers will have the opportunity to develop a full-length script with Ben, together with input from other guest writers. The programme will culminate in dramaturgical feedback from Ben and the team at Curve, as well a chance to workshop the final draft.
We’re interested in you and would love to get an idea of you as a writer and the stories you’d like to tell. No past experience is necessary.
The initial workshops will take place on Zoom at 7 – 9pm on the below dates. The course is free to join, but you should be available to attend ALL sessions:
Tuesday 30 March
Tuesday 13 April
Tuesday 20 April
Tuesday 27 April
Tuesday 4 May
Tuesday 11 May
Tuesday 25 May
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for a place, visit the Curve’s website here.
All you need is a short sample of your writing and an idea for a play!
The deadline for applications is midnight on Monday 22 March.
AS WATERS RISE
Over the past year, I have been lucky enough to work with the Almeida Theatre’s young company on a new drama: As Waters Rise. They’ve been the most talented, passionate and aware group of 14-18 year olds and I’ve been so inspired to write for them. Originally a 90 minute play, the project has been reimagined as 3 x 30 audio dramas released at 5pm daily on the 16th, 17th and 18th of July respectively.
It’s summer and London is underwater.
In a broken world that was broken long before they were born, a group of young people grapple with the aftermath of the flood. When everything changes, what does it take to keep afloat no matter what?
Written by Ben Weatherill (Jellyfish) and directed by Alex Brown, As Waters Rise is a new audio drama performed by the Almeida Young Company (14-18) about friendships and anarchy, resilience and anger. About the consequences of our actions, and who really pays for them.
A Q&A will take place at 7pm following the release of each episode with members of the company and creative team.
DATES & TICKETS
Episode One: The Other Side of the River - Thu 16 Jul, 5pm
Episode Two: Near the Surface - Fri 17 Jul, 5pm
Episode Three: Coming Up For Air - Sat 18 Jul, 5pm
Each episode is approximately 30 minutes long, and will be available on demand after the premiere time above. The episodes will be available here and however you get your podcasts.
A Q&A will take place at 7pm following the release of each episode with members of the company and creative team. The Q&As are free to attend but registration beforehand is needed. Register for these events below:
The above links will take you to a registration page on Zoom.
This production contains strong language. Recommended for ages 12+.
HIGHTIDE MONOLOGUES NOW ONLINE
Love In The Time Of Corona
HighTide’s Love In The Time of Corona monologues are now available to watch! It’s wonderful to be a small part of their Lighthouse Programme (more info on that here) during this increasingly weird and stressful time.
These monologues will be available for four weeks from release and the scripts are available on Hightide’s website (here) for creatives who want to get stuck in with their own individual versions.
All of the monologues are below too, so you can have a gander.
Gran by Ben Weatherill
Directed by: Suba Das
Performed by: Sophie Melville
Edited by: Callum Swingler; Lansons
Rainbows by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm
Directed by: Suba Das
Performed by: Katie Lyons
Edited by: Callum Swingler; Lansons
Bedlam Before The Burn Out by Aisha Zia
Directed by: Suba Das
Performed by: Jade Anouka
Edited by: Callum Swingler; Lansons
#LighthouseProgramme | #LoveInTheTimeOfCorona
REVIEWS IN FOR JELLYFISH AT THE NATIONAL
Photo by Helen Taylor
★ ★ ★ ★ The Evening Standard “a rare gem of a play”
★ ★ ★ ★ The Financial Times “Disarmingly honest, laugh-out-loud funny and immensely touching, it boldly confronts significant questions about rights, choice and what is “appropriate.”
★ ★ ★ ★ The Upcoming “sweet and hard and funny and surprising, just like lead Sarah Gordy’s Kelly”
Photo by Helen Taylor
JELLYFISH TRANSFERS TO THE NATIONAL
Jellyfish is transferring to the National Theatre! It will run from the 5th to the 16th July in the Dorfman Theatre, with previews from the 5th to 8th of July.
“Following a sold-out run at the Bush Theatre last year, Sarah Gordy returns to play Kelly for a limited run of this radical and heartfelt new play.
Kelly likes dirty jokes and finding creatures washed up on the shore. Neil likes Kelly, who makes him dizzy and breathless. But Agnes, Kelly’s mum, struggles to accept their new relationship.
Jellyfish is the story of a first kiss, chips by the beach and coming of age with Down’s Syndrome in a seaside town. It’s a unique romance across uncharted waters which asks: does everyone really have the right to love as they choose?”
Access Performances
Relaxed performances
All performances of Jellyfish will play in a more relaxed performance environment. There will be a more relaxed approach to making noise during the show, and coming in and out of the auditorium if you need to. If you need a break, there will be a chill-out space available in the Dorfman foyer close to the auditorium.
Audio-described performances, for blind and visually impaired people:
Fri 12 July, 7.30pm
Sat 13 July, 2.30pm preceded by a Touch Tour
Captioned performances, for deaf or hard-of-hearing people:
Tue 15 July, 7.30pm
Wed 16 July, 2.30pm
Content Advisory
Please note: This production contains discussions of disability, consent, genetic screening and abortion that some people may find upsetting.
REVIEWS IN FOR JELLYFISH
★★★★ Broadwayworld "a triumph that feels genuinely authentic and requires celebration”
★★★★ The Upcoming "massive laughs... boasts a brilliant cast"
★★★★★ Upper Circle "a mature and tender play"
The production has also been lucky enough to receive four Offie nominations.
JELLYFISH PRESS NIGHT
Ian Bonar and Sarah Gordy in Jellyfish. Photo: Samuel Taylor
Tonight is Press Night. It's slightly extraordinary how quickly this seems to have come around and I am trying to allow myself time to enjoy it. What the whole team have created is something I think is very special and I am incredibly proud to be a part of this.
Last night, we had members of This New Ground (@thisnewgroundUK) attend the second preview. They're an ambitious initiative to elevate the artistic power of people with learning disabilities and I have to say that I have never been sat in an audience before that were so responsive, open and completely present. I don't say this lightly: it was the highlight of my career so far. Chatting to the company in the bar afterwards was a pleasure. There is a place for your stories on stage. Theatres need to sit up and DO more to make sure that there is resources, time and programming to ensure this happens. Basically, I am so fucking excited to see what you all do next. Thank you for coming. With passion and enthusiasm like you all have, you are all gonna take the world by its horns.
It served as a reminder of why I wanted to write the play in the first place. And was the best review I could have received.
Sarah Gordy in Jellyfish. Photo: Samuel Taylor
At the end of the day, this a love story. A messy, knotty romance. That's what I set out to do and I wanted to tell the story with people whose voices we don't often see on stage. People who we don't see fall in love very often.
I also knew I wanted to set the play in Skegness as I went on holidays there when I was a child with my family. Places like Skegness and Great Yarmouth are frozen in time; these forgotten places are interesting to me. Travel site Destination Tips recently said of the Lincolnshire seaside town: “Once thought of as quaint . . . Skegness is now a pile of dirt bordering the North Sea with a rundown amusement park idly resting on the land.” And that seemed like the perfect place to fall in love to me.
When I began writing, the character of Kelly slowly started to develop. I wanted to tell a love story, but it soon became clear that it was actually two love stories. One between Kelly and her friend Neil, falling for each other. But also there's a more complicated love story between a mother and a daughter. One of co-dependence and frustration, but also of unconditional love.
I had been a fan of Sarah's for years, having seen her in Crocodiles at the Royal Exchange and followed her career on television, I knew that I wanted to write for her. I was lucky enough to be able to show Sarah and her mum Jane an early draft of the play, and they liked it, so we set about working together with the director (Tim) to further develop the story and the character together as a team. All of Sarah's amazing wit and charm has infiltrated the play. Sarah is a great friend, and I wanted to write something for her she could sink her teeth in to and play the romantic lead. We don't see love stories with people who are different at the heart of them. And we should. We have to. Because all anyone is looking for is connection. It is what unites us.
Sarah Gordy and Penny Layden in Jellyfish. Photo: Samuel Taylor
As we head towards this evening, I need to thank a few people, who were instrumental in making this happen.
Tim Hoare is one of the most thoughtful, astute and gracious people I have ever worked with in this industry. I have been extremely privileged to work with him. A brilliant director, and now friend.
Thank you to Mark Cartwright for believing in the play and working bloody hard to make sure that it happened.
Sarah and Jane Gordy are two of the biggest loves of my lives. Sarah's performance is pure uninhibited magic.
Penny, Ian and Nicky have been phenomenal. All three are incredibly generous actors at the top of their game. Thank you for all that you have brought to this.
Nina Steiger read this play many moons ago when it was just a germ of an idea. Thank you for remembering it. Thank you for championing it. I won’t forget it.
Additionally, thank you to all at the NT Studio who have assisted us in getting the play on its feet, from providing space for the initial workshop to helping us trial an earpiece.
Jellyfish was cast with the assistance of Charlotte Bevan and ProFile. ProFile is an online video database of d/Deaf and disabled performers, built by the National Theatre and Spotlight, for the use of casting directors and other professionals in the theatre, film and television industries to discover new d/Deaf and disabled talent, and to champion this group of artists. It’s already an invaluable resource.
To the entire team at the Bush- being part of this season is an honour. Thank you for being so welcoming.
Amy Jane Cook, Jamie Platt and Ella Wahlström- your work is amazing.
Thanks to Celia Dugua, David Lam, Hana Keegan, Zo Elsmore, and Joy Laing for all their hard work and help throughout this process.
Kate Fleetwood and Philip McGinley were part of the original workshop process for the play at the NT Studio, and their insights were invaluable.
Thanks to Lily Williams and Chloe Beeson at Curtis Brown.
Thanks to Dom O’Hanlon, Lauren Crisp and all at Bloomsbury who have created the gorgeous playtext.
I owe more than several pints to Adam Hughes, Francis Grin, Lindsay Weatherill, Stewart Pringle, Carey Fitzhugh, Charlie Weedon, Suba Das, Anna Brewer and Chris Cuming, who all read the play in various forms over the years.
Thank you to Lee Mattinson for giving me some very helpful answers to a couple of questions. Sorry we still haven’t had a gin yet. Soon!
I was assisted in my research by many, many people. Thank you to all who have answered my questions, taught me about Down’s Syndrome, shared their stories and allowed me to be part of the conversation. Thanks for being patient and allowing me to ask what if? I am passionate about the issues raised in the play and hope the discussion it provokes is helpful.
Special thanks to Hector Guinness.
Simon Atkinson and Emma Michaud are two of the reasons I am able to live in London and pay my rent whilst doing this. I genuinely couldn’t do it without them. Thank you for being flexible.
Finally, thank you to my new husband- Chris Lowe. You didn’t bat an eyelid when I told you the play would open three days after our wedding. I am looking forward to growing old and despicable with you.
Sarah Gordy and Nicky Priest in Jellyfish. Photo: Samuel Taylor
Post-Show Q&A: Tue 3 July
Ask cast and creatives about the creation and performance of Jellyfish.
Post-Show Panel: Tue 10 July
Mum on a Different Path: a short talk and discussion about motherhood and coming to terms with a Down'sSyndrome diagnosis. Led by Caitlin Graham.
ACCESS DETAILS
Captioned performance
Thurs 12 July, 7.45pm
Audio described performance
Sat 14 July, 2.45pm
JELLYFISH CAST ANNOUNCED
Meet the cast of Jellyfish! The play is a unique romance across uncharted waters and asks: does everyone really have the right to love as they choose?
Sarah Gordy Kelly
Sarah trained at her Mum’s kitchen table. Her theatre credits include: Crocodiles (Royal Exchange Theatre); Once We Were Mothers (New Vic Newcastle Under Lyme / Orange Tree Theatre); Walking on Water (Theatre Centre); Harold Pinter Shorts (Brighton Festival); Seize Te Day (Hijinx Theatre).
Television includes: The Silkworm (BBC Two); Upstairs DownstairsSeries One and Two, The Strike Series, Call the Midwife (BBC One); Peak Practice (ITV).
Radio includes: The Good Samaritan, The Meet (BBC R3); Resurrection BBC R4.
Sarah Gordy plays Kelly in Jellyfish by Ben Weatherill. Photo: Samuel Taylor
Penny Layden Agnes
Penny last appeared at the Bush Theatre in 66 Books. Her theatre credits include: Macbeth, My Country: A Work in Progress, Another World: Losing Our Children to Islamic State, An Oak Tree, Everyman, Edward II, Table and Timon of Athens (National Theatre); The Tempest, Roberto Zucco, Measure for Measure (RSC); The Lorax and Cinderella (Old Vic), Bright Phoenix (Liverpool Everyman); Beryl (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Nora (Belgrade, Coventry), Incoming (Hightide Festival); Lidless (Trafalgar Studios/Hightide Festival/Edinburgh), Vernon God Little and The Art of Random Whistling (Young Vic); The Bacchae, Mary Barton, Electra and Mayhem (Manchester Royal Exchange);Dancing at Lughnasa (Birmingham Rep); The Spanish Tragedy (Arcola Theatre); Romeo and Juliet, The Antipodes and Hamlet (Shakespeare’s Globe); A Passage to India, The Magic Toyshop, Jane Eyre (Shared Experience).
Television credits include: My Country: A Work in Progress, Grantchester, Dark Angel, EastEnders, Doctors, Prisoner’s Wives, Call the Midwife, Land Girls, Sirens, South Riding, Doctors, Silent Witness, Poppy Shakespeare, Bad Mother’s Handbook, Waterloo Road, No Angels, The Bill, Murphy’s Law, Fat Friends, Outlaws, M.I.T and Casualty.
Film credits include: Broken, The Libertine. Radio credits include: Second Chance, Uganda and Crime and Punishment.
Ian Bonar Neil
Ian trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. His most recent theatre credits include includes: Be Prepared (Underbelly / VAULT Festival); Arden of Faversham, The Witch of Edmonton, The Roaring Girl (RSC); The Blackest Black (Hampstead Theatre), Brilliant Adventures (Manchester Royal Exchange); City Love(Bussey Building); Me as a Penguin (Arcola Theatre); DNA, The Miracle (National Theatre); Ma Vie en Rose (Young Vic).
Television includes: Our Loved Boy, New Blood, Black Mirror, Southcliffe, Holy Flying Circus, Going Postal. Film includes: Interlude in Prague, Spectre, Skyfall, Kon-Tiki, Starter for Ten, Atonement.
Nicky Priest Dominic
Nicky is an actor and stand-up comedian from Birmingham. He graduated in Drama and Media from Newman University in 2013. He has been asked by the Prince’s Trust to become a young ambassador, following his success on the Get Started With Theatre course at Birmingham REP.
Nicky made his professional acting debut in The Seven Acts of Mercy (The RSC) in Nov 2016. Other theatre credits include: The Twisted Tale Of Hansel and Gretel (Birmingham Hippodrome, The Belgrade Theatre, The Forest Arts Centre and the Malvern Theatres).
As a stand-up comic he has been mentored by Janice Connolly, aka ‘Barbra Nice’ and will be performing at the Birmingham Town Hall as part of World Inclusion Day in May 2018.
Jellyfish runs in the Studio at the Bush Theatre 27 Jun – 21 July 2018.
JELLYFISH announced as part of Bush Theatre's 2018 season
My new play, JELLYFISH, will have its world premiere at the Bush Theatre in 2018. I am incredibly excited to be part of a season which is fresh, diverse and exciting. Still can't quite believe I am with such talented company. Feeling very lucky. Details of the play below!
JELLYFISH
“What about people who can’t make friends? Or who don’t laugh and are full of no love? They’re the real disabilities. I think.”
Agnes and her daughter Kelly have walked the same stretch of Skegness beach every day for fifteen years. They devour ice cream, hunt for crabs and watch as things mysteriously vanish along the shoreline. But when Kelly meets Neil, their cosy world soon begins to unravel.
With her mum struggling to understand the needs of a maturing daughter with Down’s Syndrome, Kelly and Neil have to fight for their right to be together. While Agnes and Kelly drift further and further apart, an event is coming that will change all of their lives forever.
Jellyfish is the story of a first kiss, chips by the beach and coming of age in modern Britain. It’s a unique romance across uncharted waters which asks: does everyone really have the right to love as they choose?
Dates
27 June - 21 July
Wednesday Matinees
4, 11, 18 July
Saturday Matinees
7, 14, 21 July
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/jellyfish/