84 Charing Cross Road
by Helene Hanff
Adapted for the stage by James Roose-Evans
Directed by James Roose-Evans
Assistant Director: Martin Parr
Cast
Janie Dee
Clive Francis
Lysette Anthony
Jemma Churchill
Alice Haig
Ted Merwood
Samuel Townsend
The Salisbury Playhouse
5th – 28th February, 2015
In 1949 Helene Hanff wrote to Marks and Co. Booksellers of 84 Charing Cross Road, in search of the rare editions she was unable to find in New York. Helene soon found herself in regular correspondence with bookseller Frank Doel, laying siege to his English reserve with her warmth and wit. As letters, books and quips crossed the ocean, a friendship flourished that would endure for twenty years.
The stage adaptation of 84 Charing Cross Road premiered at Salisbury Playhouse in 1981 before going on to huge success in the West End and on Broadway. It won numerous awards for writer/director James Roose-Evans who returns to direct this new production. It was also made into a film starring Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft.
The original production was described as “the rarest of theatrical treats”, “a triumphant evening for fun, happiness, a little sadness and a lot of goodwill” and “a quietly astonishing play”.
Reviews
“Transfixing…lovingly realised…they make this fleeting, unforced embodiment of the Anglo-American relationship really rather special indeed”
The Telegraph ****
“Makes you want to rush out and start an immediate correspondence with a complete stranger!…a rather lovely reminder of a time long past”
Whatsonstage
“Quietly joyful…meditative…a moving picture of a relationship that is tender and surprising…a lovely and loving revival”
The Stage
“Gentle, funny, poignant…Salisbury Playhouse have revived a gem of a show with such a relented cast and beautiful production, this is one not to be missed”
The Public Reviews
“Unique and intensely genuine…quality performances…this is an evening in the theatre you won’t want to miss”
Western Day Press
