Theatre

Theatre

“Writing for the stage is the most exciting discipline and where I am most at home. It's live, it's risky and it's challenging. Attending rehearsal is such a privilege, not in order to protect my work but to find out what I've written - good actors will show me what my play is about.” - RE

“Writing for the stage is the most exciting discipline and where I am most at home. It's live, it's risky and it's challenging. Attending rehearsal is such a privilege, not in order to protect my work but to find out what I've written - good actors will show me what my play is about.” - RE

“Writing for the stage is the most exciting discipline and where I am most at home. It's live, it's risky and it's challenging. Attending rehearsal is such a privilege, not in order to protect my work but to find out what I've written - good actors will show me what my play is about.” - RE

“Entertaining Angels”

‘I’ve poured two hundred thousand cups of tea, made four thousand six hundred medium-sized quiches and personally baked two tons of light crust pastry. And for what?’

As a clergy wife Grace has spent a lifetime on best behaviour. Now, following the death of her husband Bardolph, she is enjoying the new-found freedom of being able to do and say exactly as she pleases.

But the return of her eccentric missionary sister, Ruth, together with some disturbing revelations forces Grace to confront the truth of her marriage.

Set in a classic English vicarage garden complete with a grass-banked stream and willow, the play is filled with sharp-edged comedy and probing wit.

"A very English comedy with some real emotion … scratch the surface and you’ll find interesting undercurrents rippling the water … adultery, divorce and deception interestingly handled all, are just some of the problems that writer Richard Everett beds down among well-received jokes … this is a sure-fire hit.”

"A very English comedy with some real emotion … scratch the surface and you’ll find interesting undercurrents rippling the water … adultery, divorce and deception interestingly handled all, are just some of the problems that writer Richard Everett beds down among well-received jokes … this is a sure-fire hit.”

London Evening Standard

London Evening Standard

London Evening Standard

London Evening Standard

London Evening Standard

Theatre | Culture

Theatre | Culture

Theatre | Culture

history…

The stage play “Entertaining Angels” began life by opening the main season at The Chichester Festival Theatre and playing to a record-breaking 26,000 people in just over 3 weeks.

The original production starred Penelope Keith, Benjamin Whitrow, Polly Adams, Caroline Harker and Abigail Thaw.

It was produced by Michael Codron and directed by Alan Strachan, with a magical set designed by Paul Farnsworth which had real grass and flowers, and an actual stream flowing across the apron stage! Several forms of flying wild life hatched out during the run!

Following the sell-out UK national tour playing to over 100,000 people, this much-acclaimed play has been published and performed all over the world including Switzerland, Israel, South Africa and New Zealand, and has enjoyed great success with amateur companies with over 200 productions…and counting!

"Demons'

Psychological drama.
First produced at the Zimmertheater, Heidelberg for a 4 month run, then a successful limited run of 20 performances in Lithuania, and most recently at The Ice Factory studio theatre, Teignmouth in an acclaimed production by The Teignmouth Touring Theatre Company.

Social media responses:
“Demons” had its UK premiere at The Ice Factory Studio Theatre last night and what an incredibly powerful piece it is … an intense experience left a number of people virtually speechless at the end. But boy was it worth it!”

“An exceptional piece of theatre that spoke directly to the emotions.”

“A wonderful piece of writing. Richard Everett has crafted a fascinating study of loss, blame and the power of forgiveness.”
“Richard Everett’s magnificent drama of bereavement was all I had come to expect.”

PLOT SUMMARY:
Hannah is a young mother grieving over the death of her little boy killed by a drunk driver. She has been on anti depressants for a year and her marriage to Leo is under severe strain.

When Hannah’s psychotherapist Carla, suggests that visiting the convicted driver in prison might help her to ‘replace the monster with the man’ Hannah angrily dismisses the idea. But when her husband Leo confesses to a foolish one-night stand with another woman, Hannah changes her mind about the prison visit.

Confronting Daniel, the convicted man, proves to be a shocking encounter, not least because the last thing Daniel wants is her pity – he feels guilty enough without her trying to show him compassion.

Leo is also deeply wounded by his wife appearing to forgive the man who killed their child but unable to forgive him for a momentary indiscretion. Little by little everyone’s story reveals that while everyone was in their own way responsible for what happened that tragic day, no one was actually to blame. Blame, or the lack of it, is the thing that Hannah has to painfully come to terms with.

If you are interested in this play please

PLOT SUMMARY:
Hannah is a young mother grieving over the death of her little boy killed by a drunk driver. She has been on anti depressants for a year and her marriage to Leo is under severe strain.

When Hannah’s psychotherapist Carla, suggests that visiting the convicted driver in prison might help her to ‘replace the monster with the man’ Hannah angrily dismisses the idea. But when her husband Leo confesses to a foolish one-night stand with another woman, Hannah changes her mind about the prison visit.

Confronting Daniel, the convicted man, proves to be a shocking encounter, not least because the last thing Daniel wants is her pity – he feels guilty enough without her trying to show him compassion.

Leo is also deeply wounded by his wife appearing to forgive the man who killed their child but unable to forgive him for a momentary indiscretion. Little by little everyone’s story reveals that while everyone was in their own way responsible for what happened that tragic day, no one was actually to blame. Blame, or the lack of it, is the thing that Hannah has to painfully come to terms with.

Interested in this play? please

PLOT SUMMARY:
Hannah is a young mother grieving over the death of her little boy killed by a drunk driver. She has been on anti depressants for a year and her marriage to Leo is under severe strain.

When Hannah’s psychotherapist Carla, suggests that visiting the convicted driver in prison might help her to ‘replace the monster with the man’ Hannah angrily dismisses the idea. But when her husband Leo confesses to a foolish one-night stand with another woman, Hannah changes her mind about the prison visit.

Confronting Daniel, the convicted man, proves to be a shocking encounter, not least because the last thing Daniel wants is her pity – he feels guilty enough without her trying to show him compassion.

Leo is also deeply wounded by his wife appearing to forgive the man who killed their child but unable to forgive him for a momentary indiscretion. Little by little everyone’s story reveals that while everyone was in their own way responsible for what happened that tragic day, no one was actually to blame. Blame, or the lack of it, is the thing that Hannah has to painfully come to terms with.

If you are interested in this play please

"DEMONS is a thrilling, stirring and wise play about mourning, guilt, and responsibility …

"Terrific world-premiere of Richard Everett’s impressively intimate play

Mannheimer Morgen & Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung

"Beautifully written- The Scotsman

"Beautifully written- The Scotsman

"Beautifully written- The Scotsman

"Beautifully written- The Scotsman

"Richard Everett’s play is thought-provoking .. as humorous as insightful.- The Stage

"Richard Everett’s play is thought-provoking .. as humorous

as insightful.- The Stage

"Richard Everett’s play is thought-provoking .. as humorous as insightful.- The Stage

"Richard Everett’s play is thought-provoking .. as humorous as insightful.- The Stage

"Bursting with Hilarious put-downs and one-liners- Metro

"Bursting with Hilarious put-downs and one-liners- Metro

"Bursting with Hilarious put-downs and one-liners- Metro

"Bursting with Hilarious put-downs and one-liners- Metro

"Beautifully written- The Scotsman

"Richard Everett’s play is thought-provoking .. as humorous as insightful.- The Stage

"Bursting with Hilarious put-downs and one-liners- Metro

"Four Play"

Comedy. First performed 2006 Edinburgh Festival

When Floyd and Kate invite their best friends Hugo and Sophie round for dinner to help them sort out their marital problems, private and well-intentioned arrangements are made for the couples to meet individually and talk more.

Within a few short scenes the play jumps ahead in time to the two couples meeting again having swapped partners the year before.

The play then traces how this came about and becomes a patchwork of time and incidents.

As the denial and self-deception unfolds and the almost farcical attempts by the couples to explain why they are spending so much time with their best friend’s husband/wife increase, the play jumps back and forth in time.

Eventually the evening of the four of them meeting again in a restaurant progresses revealing a number of surprises. The play’s final scene takes us back to the very first time that Floyd and Kate introduced Hugo to Sophie – and echoes of the very first scene of the play resound.

If you are interested in this play please

If you are interested in this play please

If you are interested in this play please

Interested in this play? please

If you are interested in this play please

“Present from the past”
(AKA hindsight)

Family comedy drama.

Published by Samuel French

First produced as ‘Hindsight’ at the Watermill Theatre Newbury. Later national UK tour. Now regularly performed by amateur companies.

Samuel French Publications plot summary:

Frances, Howard and Rachel have always believed that their father, David, died in a boating accident when they were children .. but the truth is somewhat different.

When the three adult siblings gather to clear out the house of their recently deceased mother, long-hidden secrets are revealed.

But none of the skeletons to tumble from their collective closets is more tangible or more shocking than David, their father, arriving with the news that the house is, in fact, now his.

Questions of inheritance, personal justice, forgiveness and acceptance are raised by this sharply-observed and unsparing play, the differing reactions of David’s offspring to the various revelations being, in turn, hilarious, dramatic and moving.

"A brilliantly crafted script - undoubtedly one of most entertaining pieces of theatre I have ever seen. Made you think, made you laugh and left me wanting to read everything ever written by Everett.

- Wokingham Times

"A brilliantly crafted script - undoubtedly one of most entertaining pieces of theatre I have ever seen. Made you think, made you laugh and left me wanting to read everything ever written by Everett.

- Wokingham Times

"A brilliantly crafted script - undoubtedly one of most entertaining pieces of theatre I have ever seen. Made you think, made you laugh and left me wanting to read everything ever written by Everett.

- Wokingham Times

"A brilliantly crafted script - undoubtedly one of most entertaining pieces of theatre I have ever seen. Made you think, made you laugh and left me wanting to read everything ever written by Everett.

- Wokingham Times

"A brilliantly crafted script - undoubtedly one of most entertaining pieces of theatre I have ever seen. Made you think, made you laugh and left me wanting to read everything ever written by Everett.

- Wokingham Times

"An adroit piece of writing .. the twists and turns are effectively plotted and the balance of comedy and seriousness subtly shifted.

- The Guardian

"An adroit piece of writing .. the twists and turns are effectively plotted and the balance of comedy and seriousness subtly shifted.

- The Guardian

"An adroit piece of writing .. the twists and turns are effectively plotted and the balance of comedy and seriousness subtly shifted.

- The Guardian

"An adroit piece of writing .. the twists and turns are effectively plotted and the balance of comedy and seriousness subtly shifted.

- The Guardian

"An adroit piece of writing .. the twists and turns are effectively plotted and the balance of comedy and seriousness subtly shifted.

- The Guardian

“hand Over Fist”

Comedy drama set in the 1990’s.
Published by Samuel French

First produced Theatre Royal Windsor and toured. Later produced at The Watermill Theatre, Newbury and The Contra Kreis Theatre in Bonn, Germany. Regularly performed by amateur companies.

Samuel French Publications writes ..“Angus returning home to convalesce after a serious heart attack brought on, wife Connie believes, by City job stress, finds a less than peaceful household.

Sid and Garry, archetypal British builders, are endeavouring to finish a kitchen extension whilst eyeing up a loft conversion; son Philip conducts a 24 hour shares dealership, sniffing coke to keep him going, and inept brother Roger and his long-suffering wife Gwen, bring their never-ending financial problems round to the house. Angus is anxious to return to work but this is vetoed by Connie. In his defence Angus insists that carrying on is the easy option – stopping is far more stressful!

This poignant and sharply observed study of contemporary mores has enjoyed successful productions at Windsor, on tour, and The Watermill Theatre, Newbury as well as being translated and produced abroad.”

First produced Theatre Royal Windsor and toured. Later produced at The Watermill Theatre, Newbury and The Contra Kreis Theatre in Bonn, Germany. Regularly performed by amateur companies.

Samuel French Publications writes ..“Angus returning home to convalesce after a serious heart attack brought on, wife Connie believes, by City job stress, finds a less than peaceful household.

Sid and Garry, archetypal British builders, are endeavouring to finish a kitchen extension whilst eyeing up a loft conversion; son Philip conducts a 24 hour shares dealership, sniffing coke to keep him going, and inept brother Roger and his long-suffering wife Gwen, bring their never-ending financial problems round to the house. Angus is anxious to return to work but this is vetoed by Connie. In his defence Angus insists that carrying on is the easy option – stopping is far more stressful!

This poignant and sharply observed study of contemporary mores has enjoyed successful productions at Windsor, on tour, and The Watermill Theatre, Newbury as well as being translated and produced abroad.”

"A play with some grit to it … the balance is absolutely right..

- The Times

"A play with some grit to it … the balance is absolutely right..

- The Times

"A play with some grit to it … the balance is absolutely right..

- The Times

"A play with some grit to it … the balance is absolutely right..

- The Times

"A play with some grit to it … the balance is absolutely right..

- The Times

"I don’t know if Everett consciously based his play on Jonson but it has the stamp of a Jacobean comedy

- Financial Times

"I don’t know if Everett consciously based his play on Jonson but it has the stamp of a Jacobean comedy

- Financial Times

"I don’t know if Everett consciously based his play on Jonson but it has the stamp of a Jacobean comedy

- Financial Times

"I don’t know if Everett consciously based his play on Jonson but it has the stamp of a Jacobean comedy

- Financial Times

"I don’t know if Everett consciously based his play on Jonson but it has the stamp of a Jacobean comedy

- Financial Times

“Close to the wind”

Comedy drama

Published by Samuel French

First produced Theatre Royal Windsor. Later enjoyed a 3 month run at the main comedy house Theatre Am Kurfurstendamm, Berlin. Regularly performed by amateur companies.

Samuel French Publications writes ..“Gerry believes his twenty three year marriage is all right, but Kate feels differently.

Their lives have been a series of distractions – first home, children, second home – but now the children are going, Kate feels useless and wonders if it all hasn’t been a terrible mistake.

Returning home after a disastrous and abandoned visit to the theatre, hi-jacked by Gerry’s lively mother, Mary, Gerry and Kate attempt to salvage the evening at a local restaurant – but it just makes a bad evening out into a worse one.

Daughter Louise and her boyfriend Julian are key players in this comedy of marital mishap and mid-life crisis, as are Mary and her beau, Roy.

However, the end of this amusing and highly perceptive play finds Gerry and Kate caught on the sofa for all the world themselves like mischievous teenagers.”

“happy event”

Comedy/Farce
Published by Samuel French

First produced Theatre Royal Windsor. Later The Royal Theatre, Northampton and national UK tour. Also Theatre am Dom in Koln, Germany. Regularly performed by amateur companies.

Samuel French Publications writes ..“Jane Harbottle is expecting the unexpected happy event of the title, but she is nervous about breaking the news to her husband Peter because it could prevent his forthcoming job promotion and posting to Saudi Arabia.

Choosing the right moment is crucial so Jane prepares a quiet dinner to prepare the way. But Jane has unwisely confided in her friend Stella who, with her husband Mike, is delighted with the news and determined to celebrate at the first available opportunity.

To make matters worse, the Harbottles’ scatter-brain neighbour Polly thinks she too is pregnant and then confuses the issue further by telling Peter that Stella is also having a baby.

Meanwhile, Grigore, a Greek business colleague of Peter’s, with little English but plenty of zest, arrives all too willing to celebrate anything and is soon very smitten with Polly.

First produced Theatre Royal Windsor. Later The Royal Theatre, Northampton and national UK tour. Also Theatre am Dom in Koln, Germany. Regularly performed by amateur companies.

Samuel French Publications writes ..“Jane Harbottle is expecting the unexpected happy event of the title, but she is nervous about breaking the news to her husband Peter because it could prevent his forthcoming job promotion and posting to Saudi Arabia.

Choosing the right moment is crucial so Jane prepares a quiet dinner to prepare the way. But Jane has unwisely confided in her friend Stella who, with her husband Mike, is delighted with the news and determined to celebrate at the first available opportunity.

To make matters worse, the Harbottles’ scatter-brain neighbour Polly thinks she too is pregnant and then confuses the issue further by telling Peter that Stella is also having a .

Meanwhile, Grigore, a Greek business colleague of Peter’s, with little English but plenty of zest, arrives all too willing to celebrate anything and is soon very smitten with Polly.

As Grigore gets higher, and Polly dafter, Peter struggles with a sprained ankle and a secret of his own .. small wonder that Jane starts throwing the antique dinner service around.

Will the comic chaos settle down long enough for the truth to emerge in this delightfully funny and well-constructed comedy of misunderstandings?”

As Grigore gets higher, and Polly dafter, Peter struggles with a sprained ankle and a secret of his own .. small wonder that Jane starts throwing the antique dinner service around.

Will the comic chaos settle down long enough for the truth to emerge in this delightfully funny and well-constructed comedy of misunderstandings?”


As Grigore gets higher, and Polly dafter, Peter struggles with a sprained ankle and a secret of his own .. small wonder that Jane starts throwing the antique dinner service around.

Will the comic chaos settle down long enough for the truth to emerge in this delightfully funny and well-constructed comedy of misunderstandings?”

As Grigore gets higher, and Polly dafter, Peter struggles with a sprained ankle and a secret of his own .. small wonder that Jane starts throwing the antique dinner service around.

Will the comic chaos settle down long enough for the truth to emerge in this delightfully funny and well-constructed comedy of misunderstandings?”