Dahling You Were Marvellous & Purgatory
6 Aug 2025 - 9 Aug 2025
TROUPE 22 THEATRE COMPANY
A double bill of Electrifying theatre
Book now - or miss the next generation of comedy gold. Directed by Bethanie Hayes and Aaron Hayes
ABOUT THE SHOW
Troupe 22 Theatre Company give their take on two comedic masterpieces by Steven Berkoff, a pioneer of expressionism and physical, stylised, 'heightened' theatre that breaks boundaries and gets 'in the audiences' faces' with bold, expressive language, physicality, and vibrant characters. Troupe22 meets 'Berkovian' theatre to form this unique style of comedy in their interpretation of these two plays.
Play 1: Purgatory
Directed by Bethanie Hayes & Aaron Hayes, written By Steven Berkoff
Synopsis:
John, a classically trained Shakespearean actor, is moving into a run-down, dishevelled apartment block, which due to his noble artistic integrity, is all he can afford. Run by the straight-talking, no-nonsense landlady Betty, who is not impressed by John's Shakespeare and theatre spiel, and just wants a tenant that won't cause any fuss, and doesn't want any 'weirdos'. While unpacking, John finds solace in reciting the words of his beloved Shakespeare, which pricks the ears of his neighbouring flatmate, Sarah, who, when she introduces herself to John and expresses how deeply moved and affected she was by his beautiful poetry, takes his breath away, and in Sarah he sees a vision of Heaven in this 'Purgatory'.
Cast:
John Ben Rath (7th & 9th)
John Harrison Booth (6th & 8th)
Sara Elizabeth Rose
Betty Chloe Ray
Ted Myles Lovell
Play 2: Dahling You Were Marvellous
Directed by Bethanie Hayes & Aaron Hayes, written By Steven Berkoff
Synopsis:
The lights come down on a night of rousing theatre performances in London's West End, and the fabulous casts of larger-than-life, flamboyant actors, eccentric directors, producers & wannabes, burst into the nearby highly exclusive restaurant for celebratory drinks and merriment! Echoes of "Dahling you were marvellous!" fill the air, with huge hugs and kisses of adoration all round, while behind their backs tearing apart each other's performance. As glasses of sparkling champagne flow around the room, actors become increasingly obsessive over their performances, desperate for validation and recognition from the directors, producers, critics on the other tables, all vying for their attention by any means. Clumps of pompous producers become increasingly passionate about their next big ego projects, and their 'God-given' right to create 'artistic disasters'. We gain an insight into the world of a 'showbiz watering hole', where behind the glamour and 'Dahling' greetings, the place is full of superficiality, vanity, insecurity and pretentiousness, in this play of chaotic hilarity.
Cast
Linda Anna Fey
Steve Jordyn Linklater
Sid Fenella Hale Watkins
Sycophant Summer Stringfellow
Brick Sot A
Sir Michael Myles Lovell
Tart - Georgia Bryson
Producer Tully Klein
Sir Michaels Assistant Agnieszka Wieclawska
Terry Adams Jack Gregson
Billy Paige Wilson-Lawrence
Fat Producer Francesca Woods
Producer Secretary Jade Vertannes
Morris Welder Hawa Sesay
Would-Be Producer Felix Maramba
Sloany Female Celine R Chapius
Garry Aaron James
The Bar Manager Chloe Cheung
3 Sisters Chloe Cheung, Jade Vertannes, Agnieszka Wieclawska
Dicky Tong - Premo Miriki
The Barman - Adam Wadge
Italian Man - Gianlorenzo Neri
Various Ensemble Characters / Guests Multiple cast members sharing roles.
Creative Team
Director & Producer - Bethanie Hayes(stage-name Elizabeth Rose)
Director & Producer - Aaron Hayes (stage-name Aaron James)
Producer Assistant - Francesca Woods
Producer Assistant - Abbey Devoy
Technician / Lighting Designer - Amalia Cohan
TROUPE 22 THEATRE COMPANY
www.troupe22.co.uk [https://www.troupe22.co.uk/]