UK Premiere of INDECENT, Starring Alexandra Silber & More, Will Re-Open Menier Chocolate Factory

The Menier Chocolate Factory returns to live performances in September, reopening with the European première of Paula Vogel's Tony Award-winning Indecent - the production was in previews at the time of national lockdown in March 2020.

Opening in the company's new smaller studio space, The Mixing Room, is the world première of Brian & Roger - A Highly Offensive Play inspired by their hit podcast Brian & Roger, written and performed by Harry Peacock and Dan Skinner. Artistic Director of the Menier David Babani directs the production opening in October.

December sees the return of the previously announced much-anticipated production of Alan Bennett's Habeas Corpus, directed by Patrick Marber.

David Babani said today, "We couldn't open with any other production - Indecent was days into previews when we had to shut down in March last year, and we were determined to reunite our brilliant company of actors and share Rebecca's beautiful production with audiences here in the UK; the themes of which could not be more timely and prescient for the moment we find ourselves in. It's also a joy to also be able to reschedule Habeas Corpus which sees Patrick Marber return to the theatre after his recent success with Travesties. Opening our new smaller studio space, The Mixing Room, is the stage première Brian & Roger - A Highly Offensive Play, bringing a much-needed dose of comedy to our audiences."

Patrons with existing bookings for Indecent and Habeas Corpus should contact the box office to rebook for the new performance dates.

Box Office: 020 7378 1713 (£2.50 transaction fee per booking)

Website: www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1.50 transaction fee per booking)

INDECENT
By Paula Vogel

Cast: Cory English - The Middle (Male); Beverley Klein - The Elder (Female); Finbar Lynch - The Stage Manager; Molly Osborne - The Ingenue (Female); Peter Polycarpou - The Elder (Male); Alexandra Silber - The Middle (Female); Joseph Timms - The Ingenue (Male); Merlin Shepherd - The Clarinettist; Anna Lowenstein - The Violinist, and Josh Middleton - The Accordionist

Director: Rebecca Taichman; Choreography: David Dorfman; Set Design: Riccardo Hernandez; Costume Design: Emily Rebholz; Lighting Design: Christopher Akerlind; US Sound Design: Matt Hubbs; UK Sound Design: Jonathan Everett; Projection Design: Tal Yarden; Music: Lisa Gutkin & Aaron Halva; Music Supervision: Lisa Gutkin; Music Direction: Merlin Shepherd

3 September - 27 November
Press Night: 13 September at 8pm

A seminal work of Jewish culture or an act of traitorous libel? Indecent explores the origins of the highly controversial play The God of Vengeance by Sholem Asch. We follow the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it in this deeply moving play accompanied by a small live klezmer band.

BRIAN & ROGER - A Highly Offensive Play

Written and performed by Harry Peacock and Dan Skinner
Director: David Babani; Set and Costume Design: Robert Jones
Lighting Design: Paul Anderson; Sound Design: Gregory Clarke

22 October - 18 December
Press night: 1 November at 8pm

Brian and Roger met at a support group for recently divorced men. Roger was attending because he was genuinely grieving the loss of his marriage. Brian was instructed to attend by his solicitor if he wanted to dodge paying alimony. Roger is in need of guidance and support, which Brian willingly supplies. Both are starting again. Both are finding it hard. One of them is nice.

Described as 'Best British comedy happening right now' (Daily Telegraph), the original podcast Brian & Roger was written and performed by Harry Peacock and Dan Skinner. It was produced by Marc Haynes and Joel Morris for Great Big Owl.

HABEAS CORPUS

By Alan Bennett
Director: Patrick Marber; Set and Costume Design: Richard Hudson
Lighting Design: Richard Howell; Music and Sound Design: Adam Cork

3 December 2021 - 26 February 2022
Press night: 13 December at 8pm

The antics of the Wicksteed home are a darkly satirical merry-go-round in Alan Bennett's Habeas Corpus. Family, friends and the quest for sexual pleasures of the body ("corpus") are the ruling passions in this farcical comedy of ill-manners. Through an escapade of mistaken identities and carnal encounters, one motto holds fast: "He whose lust lasts, lasts longest."