Bennett's Lady In The Van visits The Court Theatre
Heartwarming comedy from acclaimed British playwright.
THE astonishing tale of the eccentric Miss Shepherd and her role in writer Alan Bennett's life comes to the Court Theatre, Tring with the funny and bitter-sweet The Lady In The Van.
When Alan Bennett first encountered Miss Shepherd and her van in his street in Camden, little did he realise how big a role she (and it) would play in his life for the next 20 years.
She eventually moved the decrepit van, in which she lived, into Bennett's front garden and stayed there for the 15 years until she died in 1989.
In his play Bennett chronicles their relationship extracting all the humour, wit and perception only this master could.
This Pendley Theatre Company production reunites the director, Bill Oram, with actors Liz Edlin and Bob Theaker who together brought the sell-out production of Bennett's "Kafka's Dick" to The Court Theatre in 2002.
This time they are joined by Dave Barratt who starred at The Court Theatre earlier this year as Hector in Bennett's The History Boys.
Liz plays Miss Shepherd with the two men both playing Alan Bennett. Why are there two Alan Bennetts in this play? Come and find out.
"I feel I'm working with a dream team, all of them cut out for Bennett roles," says Bill Oram.
"I've wanted to direct this play since I first saw Maggie Smith in the original London production 10 years ago. It's a brilliantly constructed piece.
"I was thrilled when Liz said she'd love to have a crack at Miss Shepherd. That was what I needed, to know we could do it at Pendley.
"Having also directed Liz in Willie Russell's "Shirley Valentine" and Graham Greene's "Travels with My Aunt", I knew we were on the way to a great theatrical experience."
A supporting cast of Pendley stalwarts will all add colour to this glorious tale – at times hilarious, at others heart-wrenching.
The Lady In The Van runs from December 3 – 5 (with a Sat matinee).
Tickets are available from the Box Office 01442 823130 or www.courttheatre.co.uk
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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