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Nichola McAuliffe stars in Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van at the New Theatre, Cardiff |
The highly acclaimed Hull Truck production of Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van comes to the New Theatre, Cardiff from Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 June. This heart-warming and heart-breaking hit play tells the true story of Alan Bennett’s unusual neighbour – a lady who lives in a clapped out Bedford Van, parked in the playwright's front garden. The mysterious Miss Shepherd and her van move in one day - and never move out. Alan knows very little about her. She used to drive ambulances in the war, might have been a nun, sells pencils and pamphlets and has an unexplained aversion to piano music. Olivier Award winner Nichola McAuliffe gives an exceptional performance in one of the best-known and best-loved comedies of recent years. Alan Bennett’s brilliant play is about one of the most unusual friendships you will ever see. It is full of warmth and wit, with great one-liners as you would expect from the writer of Talking Heads, The Madness of George III and The History Boys. On television, Nichola McAuliffe is probably best known as Sheila Sabatini in seven series of ITVs Surgical Spirit. She also appeared as Anita in Coronation Street (also for ITV). This Hull Truck production drew critical acclaim when it toured the country in 2011, playing to sell-out audiences. Nichola McAuliffe is reunited with director Sarah Esdaile, whose recent successes include The Deep Blue Sea with Maxine Peake for West Yorkshire Playhouse and Christmas hit The Sleeping Beauty for Birmingham Rep. Of course the play would not be complete without Alan Bennett himself – or rather two of him. There are two Alan Bennetts in The Lady in the Van, portrayed by actors Sean McKenzie and Paul Kemp, whose previous appearances have included Birdsong for the BBC and many roles for Alan Ayckbourn’s regular company. The 7-strong cast also includes Fenella Norman (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Sheffield Crucible), Dale Rapely (The Merchant of Venice, Globe Theatre), Karen Traynor (Tracey Beaker Returns, BBC), Ged McKenna (Faith Healer, Library Theatre Manchester), Sophie Robinson (Juno and Paycock, National Theatre). Hull Truck’s Executive Director Andrew Smaje said: “This wonderfully witty comedy unties two national treasures - Alan Bennett and Nichola McAuliffe! Nichola gives one of the performances of her career as Miss Shepherd. We’re delighted to be bringing the work of the greatest living playwrights to some of the country’s finest theatres.” The Lady in the Van is at the New Theatre from Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 June 2012. Tickets are on sale now with prices from £8.50 to £25.00. For further details about the show or to book tickets* visit www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk or call the Box Office on (029) 2087 8889. All tickets subject to a 50p Seating Improvement Contribution and online sales carry a small additional transaction charge The Lady in the Van New Theatre, Cardiff Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 June 2012 Evenings 7.30pm; Thursday & Saturday Matinees 2.30pm Tickets: £8.50 - £25.00 Box Office: 029 2087 8889 Book Online: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk |
| New Theatre Cardiff web site: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk |
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Wednesday, May 30, 2012 |
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