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Welcome to Michael Friend Productions |
 
   
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The Theatre Production
Company established in 1992, touring productions of Classical and Modern
Plays. Shaw - Wilde - Coward - Feydeau - J.K.Jerome - Ben Travers - D.H.Wilson - Stella Gibbons - Henry James - Brandon Thomas - A.W.Pinero - Robert Shearman - Molière -Fielding - John Ford - Lewis Dixon - Fredrerick Knott - Ayckbourn - Eric Chapple - Hugh Whitemore - Bennett - Genet - Patrick Hamilton - Arthur Schnitzler - J.B.Priestley - Neil Simon - Karoline Leach
Christmas Card  2012 The 21st SEASON includes: THE PRIMROSE PATH by Georges Feydeau EASTER by August Strindberg CANDIDA by Bernard Shaw MAN AND SUPERMANby Bernard Shaw DUET FOR TWO HANDS by Mary Hayley Bell PASSING STRANGERS by Eric Chapple THE CRICKET MATCH from "INTIMATE EXCHANGES" by Alan Ayckbourn See CALENDAR for details ABOUT - Information about earlier seasons - recent productions - and future performances. MORE - Archive information - cast lists - photographs. CALENDAR - Dates for your diary.CONTACT INFO - how to get in touch with MFP - check the availability of plays - email your questions. NEWS - Productions for 2011. HISTORY LINKS
RECENT PRODUCTIONS THE PRIMROSE PATH "This adaptation shows that comedy of manners from 120 years ago can still draw laughs today ... has the audience in stitches as the cast bring out Feydeau's ability to turn the serious into the comic." EMILY WRIGHT Camden New Journal 26th January 2012 " 'Fanny's First Play' gave Shaw the longest theatrical run of his career, in 1911. It resembles 'Pygmalion', in the strength of its female lead and its culture-clash comedy and chimes with current discussions about the origins of social unrest. Shaw used caricature to ridicule what he called the 'dead-as-mutton' English middle class of the time. It's particularly true of thin-lipped Mrs Knox, played with restraint by Lesley-Anne Webb. Albert Clack is memorable as the well-upholstered patriarch Knox, reduced to gibbering idiocy at the idea of losing trade. Beverley Baxter is a delightfully placatory Mrs Gilbey and Graham Dron is funny as 'mollycoddle' son Bobby, newly aware of life's possibilities. Jonas Cemm is a perfectly composed Juggins, the butler-with-a-secret. Fiona McGregor delivers a tour-de-force performance, doubling as the eponymous high-born playwright and the Cockney who captures Bobby's heart. I'd advise all Shavians, and anyone else who likes a good play, to hurry to this charming theatre, attached to the friendly Horseshoe pub in Hampstead." Sheila Cornelius Remotegoat 1 - 9 - 11 GASLIGHT This play has already received thorough coverage and fulsome praise on its out-of-town run, wholly deserved. Do read the notices. I just wanted to add that "Gaslight" really does merit four stars and a jaunt to Hampstead. Never dismiss a show as "taken out of the closet and dusted off", "this old workhorse" or "showing its age". There's a certain theatrical experience that is timeless. Get into the space, feel the vibes, hate him, melt for her. Telly doesn't do it, nor do the pictures, not in the same way. Call it the "look behind you!" factor. "Gaslight" offers it in huge measure, certainly with this cast in this venue. Design : the Pentameters space is cunningly assimilated into the gloomy upstairs lodgings of the Manninghams - Note : not the other way around. And the technical demands of the play are admirably met. How the space contrived to reek of burning coke even as we came in, I've no idea. You've no choice but to enter this world , it's not a nice one, but there's no leaving until there's a resolution. This is not high melodrama - the play dates from the 1930s, after all - nor a whodunnit (who's doing what to whom becames rapidly apparent). It's formulaic, I suppose, and there are contrivances of plot that would be far too much of a stretch, were it not that the immediacy of the psychological drama going on grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. Gripping, in short ... CHRIS BEARNE Remotegoat 27/9/2010WIDOWERS' HOUSES "Michael Friend has revived an effective drama that entertains us with serious and human issues. His talented group gave us strong portrayals. Tim Hilbourne's Cokane was fussy and hectoring to Ben de Halpert's baffled and troubled Dr Trench. Emily Holden was spoilt, sensual and intelligent as Blanche. Her scenes with her maid (a feisty Joanna Forest), rounded out dark sides of her character and gave us a sidelight on the fears of the mistress - servant relationship. Chris Bearne was a formidable and assured Sartorius, though like all of us in thrall to his daughter. J.T. Eaton's Lickcheese made a superb transition from pleading rent-collector to self-made property developer." Noel Ensoll. Stage Corner 07/08/10 YOU NEVER CAN TELL "Little gem of a show" Jonathan Evans Remotegoat 08/07/10 "A delightful play, delightfully played." Aline Waites The Ham and High 08/07/10 INTIMATE EXCHANGES "Remarkably only two performers, Amanda Sterkenburg and Luke Bennett, played all four characters. It must have been exhausting but they made it look easy in a superbly paced and nicely balanced production by Michael Friend." Helen Waddington Thanet Gazette 28/6/10 ARMS AND THE MAN "...Michael Friend has cast brilliantly. Emma Carroll plays Raina with a mixture of hauteur and girlish naughtiness and Bluntschli is played by the very attractive James Harwood who impresses with his air of world weariness and his cynical intelligence. Lane Paul Stewart is a good contrast as the mustachioed braggart, Sergius. The eccentric parents are well portrayed by Dot Smith and Nick Fawcett. Fawcett in particular gives a memorable picture of the blustering, confused military man and Dot Smith has the right blend of charming snobbishness. One of the most important roles in the play is that of Louka- Raina's acerbic and ambitious maid, who is set to marry a millionaire if she can find one. She is pursued, but without much hope by the lumpish servant Nicola played by Stuart Slavicky. This is a well rounded production with good period costumes by Lindsay Michael Hill and shabby genteel set by John Dalton. It is a really wonderful play - showing much of Shaw's genius and wit very charming, very funny and very well done." Aline Waites Remotegoat 19/2/10 "The production by Michael Friend is perfectly cast ... An evening of extreme pleasure" Aline Waites The Hampstead and Highgate Express 23/2/10 "Michael Friend’s production is a delight. Lane Paul Stewart makes the less than heroic Sergius a figure young people today could identify with in his relentless analysis of his failings. Emily Holden is a seductive Louka, while Dot Smith and Nick Fawcett as Raina’s parents bring a touch of humour to their roles". Emma Klein Camden New Journal 4/2/10 MRS WARREN'S PROFESSION "This was a fine and wonderful production of the classic Shaw play Mrs Warrens Profession. Full of great farce and untold secrets - an excellent cast kept us enthralled throughout this masterpiece. Special praise goes to EMILY HOLDEN as the put upon daughter Vivie who knows nothing of her Mothers profession but has had her suspicions since early childhood. A special bond between Father and son (Raymond Daniel-Davies and Max Davies) proved the highlight of the night with a very credible old tart but rich tart performance from (Dot Smith) as the whoring mother... Keith Myers a young Orson Wells lookie - likie gave a controlled and beautifully underplayed Sir George Croft and the rest of the cast were faultless throughout. A very warm welcome from our box office lady come producer Leonie Scott- Mathews who put us all at ease and warmed us up ready for some truly fine spoken dialogue and manners to boot. A simple yet effective set from David Myerscough-Jones and stunning costumes from Lindsay Hall. All in all a worthy and well executed production: well worth seeing." Philip Herbert remotegoat 27-5-2009 "... The two female leads are particularly strong in this excellent production with Emily Holden outstanding as the daughter. Dot Smith is convincing as a self-made woman, refusing to be ashamed of who she is; her quiet dignity is moving ... In Ms Holden there is a talented young actress who could grace any stage in the land." Camden New Journal 21-5-2009 "...(Emily) Holden is a powerful actress who manages to convey the somewhat heartless character without any loss of sympathy. Dot Smith plays the lower class Kitty Warren as a woman who is proud of her lowly roots, the way she has fought to survive and the expensive education she has been able to afford for her daughter. The scene between them as she explains to her daughter why she entered this profession is deeply moving and would give the play a happy ending were it not for further revelations in Act two. ... Definately worth seeing." Aline Waites for Watsonstage.com 14-5-2009 PREVIOUS PRODUCTIONS 2008 has included : The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde Caught by the Tail by Georges Feydeau Review of Caught By The Tail "Hilarious ooh la la la!" by aline waites for remotegoat on 13/04/08 CAUGHT BY THE TAIL at Pentameters Theatre Hampstead until 20/04/08 "Farce is extraordinary things happening to ordinary people" and what is impressive about this production is that the characters are totally honest and never play for laughs. As Fernand, Matt Hebden is handsome and well cast, convincingly romancing both ladies and becoming more and more distraught, as the deception begins to catch up with him. Both the objects of his affection are very attractive and well contrasted. The fiery and passionate Lucette is played by brunette, Emily Holden and the sweet and innocent Vivienne who secretly longs to marry a roue with a murky past is blonde Fiona McGregor. Lesley-Anne Webb plays a Scottish maid who cannot understand the language, so everything has to be repeated to her in a strong Glaswegian accent. Raymond Daniel-Davies is dominant as the crazy foreigner General Irrigua. The unfortunate Fontanet who cannot understand why everyone smells a bad odour when he is around is Nicholas Evans and the pathetic scapegoat Bouzin who takes the rap for every else's misfortunes is played by J.T.Eaton. The characters are without exception well played, very funny and well directed by Michael Friend, who also produces. The 2007 SEASON included: SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER by Oliver Goldsmith MRS WARREN'S PROFESSION by Bernard Shaw MARGATE REPERTORY SEASONS 2006 BLITHE SPIRIT GAME PLAN WE'RE STRANGERS HERE "Michael Friend skilfully directs (Ayckbourn's) black comedy Game Plan...There were many times when the cast had to pause their dialogue to allow the laughter to subside. This is always a sure sign of a great performance from one and all. I don't always leave a theatre wanting more but I certainly did on this occasion." RICHARD SIROT 2005 PRIVATE LIVES WAIT UNTIL DARK INTIMATE EXCHANGES "Michael Friend's direction was slick and polished without being condescending. His cast were a joy to behold as they ensured Coward's script lost none of its original crispness." "Good provincial theatre is a rarity these days, so when it comes along it should be savoured." Richard Sirot, THANET EXTRA ARMS AND THE MAN "Liz Garland gives a top-notch performance as the lovelorn Raina who must chose between the less than loyal Sergius - played by Callum Coates- and her new love, Swiss soldier Bluntschli, portrayed in an equally commanding performance here from James Harwood. Nick Fawcett gives a fine performance too, as the ineffectual Major Petkoff ... Michael Friend's production, which he also directs, is accessible and spledidly staged and acted." THE STAGE THE MISER "Michael Friend's production ... boasts an extravagance of talent. This Henry Fielding version of the Moliere classic is a joyous hoot which rolls along at an engaging pace throughout. Terence Denville plays the tight-fisted Lovegold as a bumbling fool with great panache ... Abbey Norman with her down to earth Cockney tones is particularly effective as Lappet the maid ... Callum Coates is a first-rate Frederick ... With so many deceits and subterfuges, it is sometimes confusing as to who wants to marry who and why. But that is all part of the fun of this well-presented classy little romp." THE STAGE "Rich wit of stylish gem... Fielding displays much of Moliere's deftness and elegance in his own style and is beautifully captured in Michael Friend's stylish, well paced production ... a real sense of ensemble playing, and the fluency, polish and skilfully moderated comedy was a pleasure, exposing the enduring quality of good writing and the value of reviving the classics." SOMERSET COUNTY GAZETTE
"With this production Friend has not so much revived Pygmalion, he has restored it." TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT "…the denouement is all the more effective for the exemplary pacing of Michael Friend's production.. The same actors will go Wilde from Thursday to Saturday, when staging another classic comedy of English social manners, The Importance of Being Earnest. On the evidence of Pygmalion, it should be another night of champagne summer entertainment." YORK EVENING PRESS "Intelligent, thought provoking, and very funny ...Particularly impressive was Roger Ringrose as revolutionary,John Tanner, who loses sight of his emotions whilst putting the world to rights. All the cast were fine, including Elizabeth Jasicki as the manipulating Ann Whitefield, Stephen Israel as the poetic brigand Mendoza, and Ciáran Corsar as the omniscient - and whistling - chauffer Henry Straker. And director Michael Friend has helmed the production with a steady hand". EASTBOURNE HERALD "A stylish adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's epic masterpiece Man and Superman ... Littered with dry, witty, one-liners, many parts of the play, penned in 1900, will ring true with today's audiences and made the play a pleasure to watch ... Tanner, delightfully played by Roger Ringrose ... Impressive performances were put in by all the cast, including Andrew Wheaton as prudish Ramsden, Elizabeth Jasicki as mischievous Ann, Genevieve Swallow as strong Violet, and Simon Jarrett as inoffensive Octavius." WORTHING HERALD
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