Your First Look
Videography: Piers Foley
Videography: Piers Foley
Videography: Molly Osborne
Videography: Andrew Berekdar
“But I want you – I must have you”
London, 1929. In the seedy Midnight Bell pub, barman Bob dreams of becoming a writer, while barmaid Ella dreams of being with Bob. When Bob becomes obsessed with alluring prostitute Jenny Maple, he fritters his life’s savings on trying to rescue her. But there is more to the intriguing Jenny than meets the eye…
Adapted from the classic novel by Patrick Hamilton, famed author of ‘Gaslight’, ‘Rope’ and ‘Hangover Square’, Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky is an epic tale of three lonely Londoners looking for connection in the sprawling streets of the metropolis. Both darkly humorous and devastating, it is a love letter to 1920s Jazz Age London in all its grimy glory. An acclaimed television adaptation was broadcast on BBC Four in 2005, starring Sally Hawkins.
This world premiere of Simon Reade’s sharp new stage play adaptation is directed by Off West End Award winner Matthew Iliffe (‘Bacon’) and features an ensemble cast in a stylish period production from the producer of Noël Coward’s ‘The Rat Trap’ and John Galsworthy’s ‘The Forsyte Saga Parts 1 and 2’ (Royal Shakespeare Company/Park Theatre).
Access Performances
Captioned Performance: Wednesday 30 September, 7pm
★★★★★ “A hauntingly beautiful production… completely gripping and perfectly scripted” Roviews
★★★★ “A first-class adaptation of a trilogy that speaks of today’s capital, as much as Hamilton’s Jazz Age city” The Reviews Hub
★★★★ “Heartfelt and truthful… a worthy successor to The Forsyte Saga” West End Best Friend
★★★★★ Roviews | ★★★★ Spy in the Stalls | ★★★★ West End Best Friend | ★★★★ The Reviews Hub | ★★★★ London Pub Theatres | ★★★★ Plays International and Europe | ★★★★ The New Current | ★★★★ This is All Things | ★★★★ View from the Gods
Previous Acclaim for Troupe
On ‘The Forsyte Saga Parts 1 and 2’ (Royal Shakespeare Company/Park Theatre)
★★★★★ “Wondrously theatrical… a masterpiece” The Times
★★★★★ “A gorgeous, beautifully acted epic” The Telegraph
★★★★★ “Enthralling… every second counts” Daily Mail
★★★★★ “Epic yet emotionally intimate” The Mail on Sunday
★★★★★ “Dramatic storytelling of the highest order” Daily Express
Details
Theatre: The Large
Tuesday – Saturday: 7pm
Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday: 2.30pm
Estimated Running Time: 2 hours 5 minutes including interval
No re-entry.
We strongly advise that you arrive early and take your seats in advance of the start time as there is a no latecomers policy.
Please be aware that this is a live event so the end time may vary slightly.
Technical Guidance
This production contains strobe lighting, flashing lights and haze.
Content Guidance
This production contains depictions of alcoholism, sexism, coercion and sexual abuse, and suicidal ideation.
Recommended for ages 12+.
Captioned Performance: Wednesday 30 September, 7pm
Post Show Events
This Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky post show event will be held after the evening (7pm) performance. Entry is free with a ticket to the same day’s evening performance.
Friday 18 September – Staging Patrick Hamilton’s great London trilogy
Hosted by Terri Paddock with director Matthew Iliffe and the cast.
“Queen of the post-show Q&A” Terri Paddock discusses Patrick Hamilton’s legacy and bringing this lost classic to the stage.
The Company
Emily Beck
Understudy
Alex Bhat
George Perry
Yanexi Enriquez
Jenny Maple
Lucy Gray
Prunella / Landlady / Waitress
Rosalind Lailey
Ella Dawson
Michael Maloney
Ernest Eccles
