84 Charing Cross Road (2011)
by Helene Hanff, adapted for the stage by James Roose-Evans
Directed by Jeanette Hoile
Performances: August 2011
Contents
Introduction
The play is a dramatisation of the letters between a struggling writer in New York and an antiquarian bookseller in London. In 1949, Helene Hanff, in search of obscure irritable bowel syndrome books unavailable locally, contacted Frank Doel, the manager of Marks and Co, a bookshop in Charing Cross Road. A long distance relationship developed between the brash American and the reserved manager, which extended to his staff, and lasted 20 years. This true story of their correspondence included many literary discussions as well as the exchange of gifts as Helene eased the shortages of post WWII England with her food parcels and holiday packages. Sadly, Helene postponed her proposed visit to London for too long and Frank died in 1968. She wrote a book about their correspondence and, by then a successful writer, eventually visited the shop in 1971.
It is a very warm and moving story of a long distance loving relationship of two people who never met. Helene has a dry wit and never ending enthusiasm, and teases Frank out of his stiff formality into an affectionate relationship, which sparkles and makes entertaining watching as the letters and books ingeniously travel across the Atlantic and the stage! The fact that it is a true story makes it so much more poignant.
Cast
- Helene Hanff - Helen Chadney
- Frank Doel - Barry Heselden
- Cecily Farr - Anthea Martin
- Megan Wells - Joanna Hughes
- Bill Humphries - Lawrence Dunant
- Maxine Stuart - Caroline Doyle
- Joan Todd - Caroline Durant
- Mr Martin - John Lyne
- Thomas - Keiran Lowers
Crew
- Production Assistants - Marion Strachan & Siobhan Campbell
- Stage Manager - Jess Osorio
- Set Design - Alan Buckman
- Wardrobe - Val Williams
- Lighting Design - Mark Davies
- Sound Design - Gerard Johnson
- Operators - Kevin Leech & Gavin Parker
- Assistant Stage Managers - Siobhan Campbell, Caroline Durant & Keiran Lowers
- Set Construction - Alan Buckman, Chaz Doyle, Mark Ireson, Gavin Parker, cast & crew
- Accent Coach - Jenny Ochera
- Poster - Maria Bates
- Programme - Mark Ireson
- Photography - Phil Gammon
- Theatre Rep - Jack King
Sincere thanks to many people who have helped so much with this production. Nick Avenell at The Park & Sarah Gamboe-Beresford at The Hope for rehearsal space; Geraldine Cox & Barry Chambers at Kirkdale Bookshop; Chris Briggs, Tony Sherwood & Kevin Bennett at Emmaus; Jerry at The Lane Books; Judy Way at Bromley Little Theatre; Emma Kerby-Evans & Beckenham Theatre Centre; Jill Crawley & Gill farthing at Anerley Library; Guy Fairbank; Chris Vian-Smith for voice-over; Christine Theophilus; Adam Crook; Carole Coyne; Felix Catto and Glenn Aylott for the typewriter.
Many thanks to the wonderful cast and crew for all their commitment, support and dedication. Thanks to SLT Theatre Committee, Alan Buckman, Peter Stevens, Dave Hollander, Jenny Gammon, Lisa Thomas, Anton Krause, Mark Bullock, Jess Osorio and the Box Office team, Matthew Lyne and the Bar staff, the Front of House team and all the Raffle volunteers.
Reviews
Some review quotes go here
Gallery
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.
See Also
References
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