Rose Theatre Kingston, The Original Theatre Company and Karl Sydow have announced the first major UK revival of Stephen Jeffreys’ acclaimed comedy drama, Valued Friends, which will run at the Rose Theatre from 26 September to 12 October 2019 (preview from 20 September) as part of their autumn season.
Valued Friends is a compelling comedy drama set to the soundtrack of 1980’s London and against the backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain.
The new production will be directed by Michael Fentiman and will mark the first revival of the play in 30 years.
It’s 1980s London and change is happening. The city is ablaze with social, political and cultural upheaval and, in a basement flat in Earls Court, four friends in their mid-thirties are scrabbling to keep their heads above water.
Housemates for more than 10 years, Sherry is a hapless, quirky comedian; Paul, a keen music journalist; Marion, a straight-talking realist; and Howard, an earnest academic writing about the corruption of capitalism. The friends are thrown unexpectedly into a battle of nerves when a young, confident property developer offers them a substantial fee to vacate their home in West London.
Spurred on by the revolutions of their time, they quickly realise that they hold all the cards in this real-life game of Monopoly and over the course of three years, they manipulate a burgeoning property market one cup of tea at a time.
Stephen Jeffreys’ play was an instant classic when first performed at Hampstead Theatre in 1989.
It won the Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright, with a cast that featured Peter Capaldi, Martin Clunes, Jane Horrocks, and Tim McInnerny.
For more information, and to book tickets, please Click Here.
