The Hope Theatre Presents FOUL PAGES

It's 1603, the plague is ravaging London, scattering the court to the rural countryside of Wiltshire and delaying the coronation of the soon to be King James I. While actors rehearse, despite backstage squabbles and sexual politics, Shakespeare and the Countess of Pembroke struggle with the rewrites of As You Like It', which must appeal to the new king's merciful nature and seduce him into releasing the condemned Sir Walter Raleigh.

Following five critically acclaimed and award-winning in-house productions, The Hope Theatre (Fringe Theatre of the Year nominee, The Stage Awards 2016) presents the world premiere of this outrageous insight into theatrical mayhem during in a period of regal and political transition. Foul Pages is a fruity farce full of scandalous secrets, backstage betrayals and lusty liaisons. You think you know your Shakespeare?... Think again!

Foul Pages is written by Robin Hooper (Ex Literary Manager of the Royal Court and Paines Plough) and directed by Matthew Parker (The Hope's Off West End award-winning Artistic Director). The production follows Matthew's hugely successful stagings of Lovesong of The Electric Bear (winner of 2 Off West End Awards; transferred to West End 2015), Sea Life (4 Off West End Award nominations), Steel Magnolias (Winner of 2 Break A Leg Critics Choice Awards inc Best Off West End Production), Her Aching Heart (Best Play, Spy In The Stalls Awards and 3 Off West End Award nominations) and Brimstone and Treacle (2 Off West End Award nominations and 3 Break A Leg Nominations).

The award winning Hope Theatre is little theatre with big ideas. The theatre nurtures and develops new producing models, working with exciting companies to present a mix of new writing, lost gems from well-known writers, re-polished classics and innovatively staged musicals.

Although The Hope Theatre receives no public subsidy, it was the first Off West End venue to open with a house agreement with Equity, the UK's largest performers union, to ensure a legal wage for all actors, stage managers and box office staff working at the theatre.

Matthew Parker was named Best Artistic Director at the Off West End Awards 2017 for his work at The Hope in 2016.

Foul Pages is part of the 2018 winter/spring season which also includes My Gay Best Friend (9 - 27 January) written and performed by Louise Jameson and Nigel Fairs, Moments and Empty Beds written by Julia Cranney and directed by Kate Treadell (30 January to 17 Ferbruary) and Our Big Love Story written by Stephanie Silver and directed by Calum Robshaw (20 March - 7 April).

Box Office: 0333 666 3366
www.thehopetheatre.com

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