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Our Reading Of
went extremely well, and we've already received this response from John Theocharis, a former BBC Radio Drama Producer.
"Most enjoyable. Most entertaining. Well-made, intriguing, eloquent. The text sounds appropriately literate, but also natural and convincing. Attractively and wittily performed, even as a reading. A nicely paced one too. Just a few belly laughs, but lots of amused faces in the audience smiling and laughing noiselessly throughout it. Charmingly wordy, but I'm sure it can be shortened for a stage performance to good effect and without loss of substance, or indeed charm. Quite a feat, eventually, for the actors to memorise all those long speeches. It should work on the airwaves too, but it may have to be compressed so drastically that some of its essential flavour may be lost, and its credibility weakened. Many thanks for inviting me. So glad I came."
Following the success of our production of Golden Opportunities, by Eugène Scribe, Jane Nightwork Productions was very proud to present another of Scribe's neglected masterpieces, translated by author and journalist Anthony Curtis.
Although today Scribe is best remembered for his work on Verdi's Operas, during his lifetime he experienced huge success writing over 400 plays and libretti. Prior to a full production, Jane Nightwork Productions brings to life in a rehearsed reading Scribe's vibrant, comic, play exploring the chains of love and obligation that link or bind us.
Principal cast members included Roger Ringrose and Sioned Jones, who are currently appearing in Howard Brenton's Never So Good (about Harold Macmillan) at the National Theatre. Further information about Chains can be found here.
Another forthcoming production from Jane Nightwork is At My Mother's Knee: Love, War and Death.
They are three linked plays with Roger Ringrose as Michael Smith.
WAR AND SOLDIERS
Throughout history, women have found their way to the battlefront; not only as traders, wives and tarts but as combatants. How did they get away with it…? What were they doing there?
LOVE, QUESTION MARK
Picking winners: is a pin as good as a plan?
MY HEART
Michael is waiting by the ’phone for the call which could change his life.
We’ve just started exploratory rehearsals, and we hope to delight you with a dish of virtuoso theatre. Robert Gillespie will direct. Please keep checking this site as our plans develop.
Last Autumn we had great success with 
"Robert Gillespie’s well-oiled production carries off the Wildean, absurdist comedy beautifully. Impressive performances abound, particularly from Sioned Jones as Dorbeval’s not-quite-dutiful wife, and Roger Ringrose as the boorish, status obsessed oaf." - Time Out"
Like Noël Coward, Scribe hides a message under gift-wrapped froth. Robert Gillespie's production is suitably stylish...Max Digby plays Poligni, quite rightly, as a consummate ditherer, and there is sprightly support from Oliver Chopping as an open-hearted artist and Fliss Walton as the moderately merry widow." - The Guardian
"What is particularly impressive, and consistently fascinating, is its blend of the standard confections of romantic comedy rivalries, confusions, misunderstandings and concealments, with an utterly unsentimental acknowledgement that wealth can be at least as much of a driving force, and at least as fulfilling a goal, as love." - The Financial Times
"Curtis admits that this adaptation attempts to retain the spirit of the piece rather than a surgical translation and coupled with tight direction from Robert Gillespie and spirited performances this work, from the most prolific playwright in history, proves a worthy showpiece from an often overlooked author." - The Stage
For more information on previous plays, including Making Dickie Happy, Sex, Death and A Baked Swan, and Oedipus: A Double Bill, please click here.
Previous Productions
For further information on our previous productions, please click on the appropriate link.
Golden Opportunities
Sex, Death and A Baked Swan
Making Dickie Happy
Passion Play
Oleanna
My Heart