Menier Chocolate Factory, London
Running time: 1hr 15min (no interval)
Age Restrictions: TBC
Tickets from £45.50
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In Leningrad in 1956, Valentina Nrovka has been invited to the Hermitage to offer her opinion on the authenticity of a Matisse painting, as she knew the great artist personally. Her daughter Sophia, also a painter, meets her there to seek her mother’s help, both financially and politically. This first London revival of David Hare’s play since its premier at the National Theatre in 1986 explores a mother and daughter’s fight for personal ideals and domestic responsibilities, as well as the choices made both in life and art.
Martin Hutson's recent theatre credits include Titus Andronicus and Julius Caesa r (RSC) andThe Master Builder (Old Vic Theatre). His film credits include Atonement and The Passion. His television credits include Tutankhamun, The Honourable Woman and A Very British Sex Scandal.
Ophelia Lovibond’s theatre credits include Nightfall (The Bridge) and The Libertine (Theatre Royal Haymarket). Her television credits include Elementary, W1A, Inside Number 9 and Mr Sloane.
David Rintoul’s recent theatre credits include Much Ado about Nothing (Rose Theatre, Kingston), Hamlet (Almeida/Harold Pinter) and Nell Gwynne (Shakespeare’s Globe/The Apollo). His television credits include The Crown, Games of Thrones and the title role in Dr Finlay. His film credits include The Iron Lady and My Week with Marilyn.
Penelope Wilton has appeared in two other plays by David Hare: The Great Exhibition and The Secret Rapture (as well as the film version). Recent theatre credits include Taken at Midnight (Chichester/Theatre Royal Haymarket – Olivier Award for Best Actress), The Chalk Garden (Donmar – Evening Standard Award for Best Actress) and A Delicate Balance (Almeida). Her films include The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (original and sequel), Calendar Girls and Shaun of the Dead. Her television roles include Isobel Crawley in Downton Abbey and Harriet Jones in Dr Who.
Menier Chocolate Factory
Menier Chocolate Factory
53 Southwark Street
London
SE1 1RU
The Menier Chocolate Factory is an off-West End theatre located on Southwark Street, London, and comprises a theatre, restaurant, bar, and rehearsal space. Hailed by the Evening Standard as being "one of the most dynamic fringe venues in London", the Menier Chocolate Factory stages plays, and musicals, and hosts live music as well as stand-up comedy.
The Menier Chocolate Factory: History and Awards
The theatre occupies, as the name suggests, an old chocolate factory building that had been abandoned and left derelict since the 1980's. Revived and re-opened in 2004 as The Menier Chocolate Factory, the theatre is managed by artistic director David Babani, and has received awards and praise for performances and the unique venue itself. Just a year after its opening, the theatre received the Peter Brook/Empty Space Up and Coming Venue Award, and in the same year also swept up the Evening Standard Milton Shulman Award of Outstanding Newcomer.
The Chocolate Factory had another successful year in 2007 with the production of the Stephen Sondheim musical Sunday in the Park with George, which one a full 5 Olivier Awards, some of which included Best Actor in a Musical (Daniel Evans) as well as Best Actress in a Musical (Jenna Russell). 2009 saw more Olivier Awards for Chocolate Factory productions with Douglas Hodge winning Best Actor in a Musical for his performance of Zaza in La Cage aux Folles. The production also won Best Musical Revival.
The Menier Chocolate Factory has since continued to produce a medley of productions from musicals and play revivals to stand-up comedy, live music, and new writing.
Throughout its history, The Menier Chocolate Factory building has been inspired by both individuality and the pursuit of quality. Built in 1870 to house a chocolate factory, this unique space now comprises a restaurant and bar, rehearsal room and 150 seat theatre. Having maintained the original exposed wooden beams, unusual cast iron columns and an amazing brick feature interior, the Chocolate Factory is a stimulating environment to enjoy a high-quality and entertaining theatrical experience.
Productions at The Menier Chocolate Factory include:
Americana Absurdum by Brian Parks The UK premiere of Fully Committed by Becky Mode Murderer by Anthony Shaffer The European premier of Tick, Tick… Boom! by Jonathan Larson The world premiere of What We Did to Weinstein by Ryan Craig The award winning revival of Sunday in the Park with George by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine Total Eclipse by Christopher Hampton The award winning La Cage aux Folles by Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein The Invisible Man by Ken Hill The Common Pursuit by Simon Gray Sweet Charity by Neil Simon A Little Night Music by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler Forbidden Broadway by Gerard Alessandrini SMASH! by Jack Rosenthal The European premiere of Road Show by Stephen Sondheim and John WeidmanTravel by train: Nearest tube: London Bridge
