Production photos released from the world premiere of Howerd's End, a new play about one of Britain’s greatest comedy legends, opening tonight at The Golden Goose Theatre.
Can you imagine being terrified of your own happiness? You can? Then let’s begin...
Frankie Howerd is one of Britain’s most loved comedians. But he has a secret. And the secret’s name is Dennis.
This brand new play by Mark Farrelly (‘Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope’) takes you to the heart of Frankie and Dennis’ clandestine relationship, which lasted from the 1950s until Frankie’s death in 1992. It also affords a glorious opportunity to encounter Frankie in full-flight stand up mode.
Packed with laughter, but unafraid of truth, ‘Howerd’s End’ portrays two humans’ journey through closeness, love, grief, and all the other things that make life worth living. Come and say farewell to a legend...and learn the art of letting go.
‘Howerd’s End’ will get its world premiere at the new Golden Goose Theatre, 146 Camberwell New Road, Camberwell, London, SE5 0RR.
The 80-seat theatre will be socially distanced to 40 seats.
Press nights: Thursday 29 October and Friday 30 October at 7.30pm
Frankie Howerd is played by SImon Cartwright, who received rave reviews as another British comedy legend, Bob Monkhouse, in ‘The Man Called Monkhouse’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival:
“A masterclass in Monkhousian mannerisms: the drawling inflections, the way he sculpts the air as he talks. It’s all there, including the self-satisfied aura”
Dominic Cavendish, The Daily Telegraph on ‘The Man Called Monkhouse’
“As he fires out Monkhouse’s profusion of one-liners, Cartwright nails his subject’s clear, almost courtly middle-class tones; each phrase is a set-up and punchline in itself, as the voice rises for emphasis then falls for reassurement. Masterly.”
Dominic Maxwell, The Times on ‘The Man Called Monkhouse’
Simon also played Bob Monkhouse in ‘Toast of London’ on C4 and in Paul Hendy’s film ‘The Last Laugh’.
After studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and graduating from the University of Surrey, SImon carved a career both as an actor and impressionist, making appearances at The Comedy Store with Alistair McGowan. His TV appearances include ‘Bob Says Opportunity Knocks’.
Dennis Heymer is played by the play’s author Mark Farelly, who is also the writer and performer of two hugely-acclaimed solo plays, ‘The Silence of Snow: The Life of Patrick Hamilton’ and ‘Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope’, which he has performed over 200 times across the UK / New York and counting. His next play is a solo portrait of radical film-maker Derek Jarman.
“You won’t be able to take your eyes off this magnetic actor Mark Farrelly. He inhabits the character of Hamilton with a blazing fluidity”
The Times, 4 stars, on ‘The Silence of Snow: The Life of Patrick Hamilton’
“Farrelly’s performance is electric”
What’s On Stage, 4 stars, on ‘The Silence of Snow: The Life of Patrick Hamilton’
“An uncanny feat of resurrection. Farrelly’s mastery of his audience is total”
Time Out, 4 stars, on ‘Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope’
Mark made his theatre debut immediately on graduating from Cambridge, playing the lead in Stephen Fry’s ‘Latin!’ at London’s King’s Head Theatre. His West End credits include ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ opposite Matthew Kelly at Trafalgar Studios.
Joe Harmston (Director)
Joe has directed over 100 theatre productions around the world and forged associations with some of British theatre’s most significant voices including Harold Pinter, Ronald Harwood, Michael Frayn, Trevor Nunn, Peter Hall, Peter Ustinov and Bill Kenwright. He directed Pinter in Pinter’s own ‘The Lover’ / ‘The Collection’ at The Donmar Warehouse, created and ran the hugely successful Agatha Christie Theatre Company, and remains much in demand as director, dramaturg and, more
recently, writer.
Frankie Howerd
Frankie Howerd was and still is “one of Britain’s best-loved comedians”. A radical, whose courage and innovation as a performer have too often been obscured by cosy nostalgia, he was the first stand-up to dispense with conventional punchlines and slick patter, instead crafting stumbling, surreal streams of insecurity, based on his sense of inadequacy, disappointment and sheer unsuitability to the very job of being a comedian. In his refusal to ‘do’ comedy like everyone else had done, he paved the way for other non-conformists like The Goons, Monty Python and Eddie Izzard.
HOWERD’S END
by Mark Farrelly
Golden Goose Theatre
146 Camberwell New Road
Camberwell
London
SE5 0RR
Tuesday 27 October -
Saturday 31 October, 2020
Performances start 7:30pm
Saturday matinee 4pm
Tickets:
£16 Full Price
£12 Concessions
Concessions offered to pensioners,
unemployed, students, registered disabled and under16s.
Running time: 80 mins approx
Bookings:
www.goldengoosetheatre.co.uk
Photo credit: Jacky Summerfield
