Barking in Essex

Barking in Essex is a black comedy[2] directed by Harry Burton. It is based on the 2005 script by Clive Exton, and made its world premiere at the Wyndham's Theatre in September 2013.

Barking in Essex
Written byClive Exton[1]
Date premiered16 September 2013 (2013-09-16)
Place premieredWyndham's Theatre
GenreComedy

Production history

Barking in Essex was written by Clive Exton in 2005,[3] but never performed[4] prior to his death in 2007.[5] In November 2012, it was announced that the play would be performed for the first time in September 2013,[6] for a limited run until 4 January 2014.[7] The UK premiere was produced by MJE Productions Theatre Royal Haymarket Productions and James Quaife Productions. The play is directed by Harry Burton,[8] design by Simon Higlett, lighting by James Farncombe and sound by Gareth Owen.[9] Cast rehearsals began on 5 August[10] and the show opened on 16 September 2013, at the Wyndham's Theatre following previews from 6 September.[11] The plays cast included Lee Evans, Sheila Hancock, Keeley Hawes, Montserrat Lombard and Karl Johnson.[9] The play marked Evans first stage appearance since the 2007 revival of the play The Dumb Waiter.[12] Shortly before Christmas, Hawes left the play prematurely and was replaced by her understudy Rachel Marwood.[13]

Synopsis

Algie Packer has been in prison for seven years for committing bank robbery[14] and it is the day of his release. There is only one problem; his mother Emmie and his sister-in-law Chrissie have spent the proceeds of the robbery on luxury items,[15] like around the world cruises and blue Ferraris. What follows is a comedy of errors as the Packer family try to cover their tracks and go on the run, involving a lawyer,[16] the street hit-man[17] and a pair of maracas.

Principal roles and original cast
Character Original West End performer[18]
Darnley Packer Lee Evans
Emmie Packer Sheila Hancock
Chrissie Packer Keeley Hawes
Allegra Tennyson Montserrat Lombard
Rocco Karl Johnson

Reception

Reviews for the production were mixed.[19] Charles Spencer in The Telegraph wrote: "Wonderfully funny. Imagine a cross between Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party and Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs … not a show that will appeal to everyone, but those who like their comedy black, blue, and raucous will have a ball."[20] Simon Edge in The Express wrote: "It has the depth of an extended sitcom and not every gag works. However the cast are uniformly strong and it is profane good fun that had me cheerfully guffawing."[17]

Some however were more negative and Michael Billington in The Guardian wrote: "As a piece of black comedy, Clive Exton's play is neither sufficiently dark nor consistently funny."[21] Henry Hitchings of the London Standard wrote: "While Harry Burton’s production has moments of vitality it can’t make up for the weakness of the writing. It felt a terrible waste of a strong cast."[22]

Awards and nominations

London production
Year Award Category Result
2013 Evening Standard Award Best Night Out Nominated[23]
2014 Whatsonstage.com Awards Best New Comedy Nominated[24]
gollark: Ah, but if we move the UK there, people can *work* in Switzerland and *shop* in the UK!
gollark: Well, I guess we'd better move the UK to Switzerland.
gollark: Meanwhile, I don't know what the UK's mean or median wages are.
gollark: Er, no it is.
gollark: Your mental age is 2.

References
  1. "Barking in Essex, New Play to Star Lee Evans and Sheila Hancock, Heads to West End's Wyndham's Theatre". playbill.com. Playbill. 30 November 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  2. "Theatre review: Barking in Essex is a crude, relentless mockery of stupidity and materialism". The Independent. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  3. "Keeley Hawes in Barking in Essex, Bush's Disgraced". whatsonstage.com. Whats on Stage. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  4. "Barking in Essex". timeout.com. Time Out. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  5. "Clive Exton". The Guardian. 21 August 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  6. "Lee Evans and Sheila Hancock star in new stage comedy". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. 30 November 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  7. "Barking in Esses About The Show". delfontmackintosh.co.uk. Delfont Mackintosh Theatres. Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  8. "Keeley Hawes and Lee Evans star in Essex farce about dysfunctional crime family". The Standard. 17 May 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  9. "Keeley Hawes, Karl Johnson and More Join Cast of BARKING IN ESSEX". westend.broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  10. "Day 1 of rehearsals". twitter.com. Twitter. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  11. "Lee Evans and Sheila Hancock to star in Barking in Essex". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  12. "Lee Evans – 'I really wanted to get back into theatre'". whatsonstage.com. Whats on Stage. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  13. "Keeley Hawes quit play 'after rows with co-star Sheila Hancock'". The Telegraph. The Telegraph. 29 December 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  14. "West End play Barking in Essex". barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk. Barking & Dagenham Post. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  15. "Barking in Essex is a crude, relentless mockery of stupidity and materialism". The Independent. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  16. "Montserrat Lombard: from Ashes to Ashes to Barking in Essex". swresident.co.uk/. SW Resident. 18 September 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  17. "Barking in Essex, Wyndham's Theatre, London". express.co.uk. Daily Express. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  18. "Further casting announced for Barking in Essex starring Lee Evans and Sheila Hancock". westendframe.com. West End Frame. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  19. "Good Evans! Barking in Essex splits the crits". whatsonstage.com. Whats on Stage. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  20. "Those who like their comedy black, blue and raucous will love this foul-mouthed farce, argues Charles Spencer". The Telegraph. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  21. "Barking in Essex – review". The Guardian. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  22. "Barking in Essex, Wyndham's Theatre - theatre review". London Standard. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  23. "Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2013: Book of Mormon voted Best Night Out in London". London Evening Standard. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  24. "Full List: Winners of the 2014 WhatsOnStage Awards". whatsonstage.com. Whats on Stage. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
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