Born in the Gardens
30 September - 11 October
By Peter Nichols
With Stephanie Cole and Simon Shepherd
Directed by Stephen Unwin
Presented by Theatre Royal Bath Productions & The Peter Hall Company
"Stephen Unwin directs a witty and superbly acted production...What an addictively quirky delight Born in the Gardens proves." Daily Telegraph, 24 July 2008
Maud and her son Mo live in a decaying mock- Tudor house in Bristol. She chats to people on the telly, he converses with the cat and both share a penchant for bizarre cocktails, tinned food and keeping the past alive.
When older son, Hedley and Mo's twin, Queenie, return for their father's funeral, they try to persuade Maud and Mo that the time is ripe to escape the confines of their crumbling home - but not everyone wants freedom
when it's offered...
With her roots firmly in the city of Bristol, the part of Maud might have been written for Stephanie Cole. She has previously starred in Peter Nichols' So Long Life in addition to leading theatre roles in A Passionate Woman, Quartet, Blithe Spirit and Noises Off. Her diverse television roles include Tenko, Keeping Mum and
Waiting For God.
Simon Shepherd will play Hedley. His many credits include ITV's Peak Practice and the West End productions of The Secret Rapture and Art.
Bristol-born Peter Nichols is the author of some of the greatest British plays of recent years including A Day in
the Death of Joe Egg, Privates on Parade, The National Health and Passion Play.
Born in the Gardens is directed by the Rose Theatre's Artistic Director, Stephen Unwin. He founded English Touring Theatre and joined the Rose Theatre in 2007, to work alongside Director Emeritus Peter Hall.
Click here to listen to Stephen Unwin talk about the autumn season at the Rose, and Born in the Gardens, in an exclusive interview with Nicola Barranger.
Post performance talk: Tuesday 6 October
Audio Described performance: 11 October 2.30pm. Touch tour 1pm.
Suitable for all ages.
Running time: Approximatley 2 hrs & 15 minutes, including interval.
Cast:
Maud Stephanie Cole
Maurice Allan Corduner
Hedley Simon Shepherd
Queenie Miranda Foster
Matinee(s) Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday 2.30pm
Evening(s) 7.30pm