Martin Shaw Will Lead World Premiere of ALONE TOGETHER at Theatre Royal Windsor

Judge John Deed stars Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove will reunite for the first time in a world premiere of the comedy ALONE TOGETHER - a new, witty, tender and thought-provoking play by Windsor-born actor/writer Simon Williams, for a two week run from Monday 7 August – Saturday 19 August 2023 at Theatre Royal Windsor.

Throughout six years and six series of the immensely popular drama series Judge John Deed, the on-screen chemistry between stars Martin Shaw (John Deed) and Jenny Seagrove (Jo Mills) was legendary and attracted close to 9 million viewers for its final episode. Their on-off love affair culminated in one of the greatest romantic cliffhangers in television history and, to this day, no matter what else they might have done, the two stars are relentlessly asked “is Judge John Deed coming back?”.... and it appears the door is still open!

Now Martin Shaw and his co-star Jenny Seagrove both return to the Theatre Royal Windsor in the sparkling new comedy ALONE TOGETHER, with Josh Goulding (Hangman – Broadway, Love And Other Acts of Violence – Donmar Warehouse) making his Windsor debut.

ALONE TOGETHER sizzles as Colin (Martin Shaw) and Angela (Jenny Seagrove) battle together on the verge of their disastrous marriage. And then in a serendipitous moment, Angela meets Jonty (Josh Goulding) on her favourite bench, under the cedar tree in the churchyard and everything starts to unravel…… Three people looking for pathways to excitement, fulfilment and freedom; but what is real and who is real? Was it a chance meeting? What does the young novelist want? And who exactly is manipulating whom - or not? In a world where you can be anyone on social media, can you really escape reality in real life? With secrets to protect and unintended consequences, will they be together alone or ALONE TOGETHER…..

Martin Shaw said: "I love working at the Windsor Theatre Royal, and my old mate Jenny and me just have the most brilliant working relationship. I love the challenge of bringing a new play to life, and in Alone Together  it’s two people trying to find themselves and each other."

Martin Shaw returns to Windsor for the first time since last appearing in The Cherry Orchard (2021). Alongside Judge John Deed he has been Britain’s busiest actor for four decades including, on TV, Inspector George Gently, The Chief, Always and Everyone, Apparitions, Dalgliesh and The Professionals. In the theatre, he has won awards for A Man For All Seasons, An Ideal Husband, The Country Girl and many more.

His co-star Jenny Seagrove returns to Windsor having previously starred opposite Ian McKellen in Hamlet and The Cherry Orchard and in last season’s The Chalk Garden, all under the direction of Sean Mathias. Her film and TV career has included recently Another Mother’s Son and Off The Rails and started with her groundbreaking role as Emma Hart in A Woman of Substance. Her latest starring role in the movie adaptation of Nuala Ellwood’s bestselling novel My Sister’s Bones will be released this autumn.

Author Simon Williams was born in Windsor. His acting career has included lead roles in Upstairs, Downstairs, Don’t Wait Up and Justin Elliott in the long-running Radio 4 series The Archers. An established playwright whose previous plays have enjoyed national and international tours, Simon is the son of Hugh and Margaret Williams, whose comedy The Grass Is Greener, directed by and starring Tom Conti, was presented at Windsor in March.

2023 is Sean Mathias’ third annual summer season at Theatre Royal Windsor. 2021 saw two classics with Ian McKellen (Hamlet and The Cherry Orchard). The 2022 season had two contemporary plays: an innovative new version of Dial M for Murder followed by Enid Bagnold’s The Chalk Garden. This 2023 season focusses on new writing: Frank and Percy starring Roger Allam and Ian McKellen finishes a 6-week run in Windsor on Saturday 22 July, followed by the premiere of Alone Together on Monday 7 August - Saturday 19 August 2023.

Director Sean Mathias said: “An exquisite piece of new writing is so exciting and Alone Together explores the fragility and joy of relationships in all their different forms, and what forges and strengthens bonds between humans, at a time when more than ever, we all need to love and support one another.”

Producer Bill Kenwright said: “Over the past two years, Sean has firmly established the summer season at Theatre Royal Windsor as one of the highlights of the theatrical year. 2021 saw two classics with Ian’s incredible Hamlet and The Cherry Orchard; last year we had two contemporary plays - an innovative new version of Dial M for Murder followed by Enid Bagnold’s The Chalk Garden. Now in 2023, it is wonderful to be exploring two new plays from these exciting playwrights: shining a light on new writing and solidifying Theatre Royal Windsor’s place as the country’s leading unsubsidised regional producing theatre.”

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