NOW PLAYING: CHUMMY BY JOHN FOSTER @ THE WHITE BEAR THEATRE

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How do you counsel someone who wants to kill?

Chummy explores the mind of a serial killer in the moments before his first murder. Desperate to control himself, the mysterious psychopath known only as 'Chummy' pleads with private investigator Jackie Straker to keep his mind from succumbing to its strongest, most evil desire. With nowhere else to turn in fear of getting locked up for his thoughts, Chummy becomes desperate for someone, anyone to stop him killing.

This gripping psychological thriller by BAFTA award-winning writer John Foster (Letters from a Killer, BBC's Omnibus), explores the mind of a serial killer desperate to subdue his impulses without risking his life. With nowhere to turn, this neo-noir is a thrilling story of addiction, obsession and the lack of support that drives people to act on their most secret desires.

Press for Chummy by John Foster:
★★★★ 'An enthralling and chilling tale of murder, misery and inner demons.' - LondonTheatre1
★★★★ 'Psychological food for thought.' - Breaking The Fourth Wall
‘Provocative and edgy. A sleek and polished production.’ - London Pub Theatres
‘Charismatic and inventive.’ - The Reviews Hub

Press for Encompass Productions
★★★★★ West End Wilma ★★★★★ London Unattached ★★★★★ EdFringe ★★★★★ Grumpy Gay Critic ★★★★ Official Theatre ★★★★ Everything Theatre ★★★★ Theatre Bubble ★★★★ The Upcoming ★★★★ Female Arts

Directed by Alice Kornitzer
Written by John Foster
Designed by Michael Leopold
Score & Sound Design by Alex Burnett
Lighting by Owen Pritchard Smith

Production photography by Headshot Toby

CAST:
Jackie Straker - Megan Pemberton
Chummy - Calum Speed
Lucy Edwards / Karen Armitage - Jessica Tomlinson

PERFORMANCES:
23 May – 10 June 2017

Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm
Sundays @ 4pm
Sat matinees @ 3pm (not 27 May)

WHITE BEAR THEATRE
138 Kennington Park Road
London SE11 4DJ

Nearest station:
Kennington – Northern Line
(2 min walk)

Tickets: £15 Concessions: £13

Tickets also available via:
www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk

@EncompassOnline
#Chummy

ANNOUNCEMENT: CHUMMY AT THE WHITE BEAR THEATRE 23 MAY - 10 JUNE

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The police. The law. They know nothing of Chummy.

Someone out there is afraid. Afraid of becoming a murderer. Terrified of killing someone. Anyone. The phone calls keep coming from a pleading man desperate for help. A man desperate for someone to stop him killing.

Private investigator Jackie Striker is hired by an anonymous serial killer for the biggest case of her life. Paid to stop him murdering, Jackie must face the consequences of counselling the mysterious ‘Chummy’ on a dark journey that will push her to her limits.

BAFTA award-winning writer John Foster and critically acclaimed company Encompass Productions present the world premiere of Chummy: a dark and cinematic neo-noir thriller that promises to be an unforgettable theatrical experience.

Reviews and press for Encompass Productions:

‘A talented pool of writers, directors and actors.' ★★★★★ LondonTheatre1‘Theatre, to the point’ ★★★★★ West End Wilma‘Brilliant, innovative. Extraordinary new talent’ ★★★★★ London Unattached★★★★★ EdFringe ★★★★ Official Theatre ★★★★ Everything Theatre

On Little Boy by John Foster, staged by Encompass Productions:
‘Haunts you to the core. Remarkable and unsettling.’ ★★★★★ Grumpy Gay Critic‘Brilliant. A first-class performance.’ ★★★★ Theatre Bubble

On Stasis at the White Bear Theatre:
‘Incredible. Will strike a chord with any viewer. ’ ★★★★ LondonTheatre1
‘Takes theatre to a place it has not yet been.' ★★★★ The Upcoming
‘Superb…evocative. More like this for theatre please.’ ★★★★ Female Arts‘Astonishing new writing. Inspiring, stirring, and gripping.' ★★★★ Grumpy Gay Critic
‘An excellent script and talented actors. Marvellous.’ A Younger Theatre

Directed by Alice Kornitzer                 
Written by John Foster            
Music & Sound by Alex Burnett          
Lighting by Owen Pritchard Smith
Produced by Sofi Berenger & Jonathan Woodhouse
Associate Producer: Róisín Walsh

23 May – 10 June 2017
Tuesday – Saturday
7.30pm
Sundays @ 4pm
Sat matinees @ 3pm (not 27 May)

PRESS NIGHT:
Thursday 25 May, 7.30pm

WHITE BEAR THEATRE
138 Kennington Park Road
London SE11 4DJ
Nearest station:
Kennington – Northern Line
(2 min walk)

Tickets: £15
Concessions: £13

Tickets available via:
www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk
www.encompassproductions.co.uk

PRESS CONTACT:
press@encompassproductions.co.uk

@EncompassOnline
@WhiteBearTheatre
#Chummy

BARE ESSENTIALS REVIEWS ROUNDUP - OUR NEXT PRODUCTION - NEW PRODUCER

Bare Essentials kicked off 2017 with a sell-out run of our 'new beginnings' edition! With a record number of audience in attendance at the Seven Dials Club, check out these lovely reviews from our most successful Bare Essentials yet:

★★★★★ 'This is not a scratch night, these plays are tight and well-rehearsed. If you like your theatre short and to the point, you’re in luck.' - West End Wilma

★★★★★ 'A brilliant innovative platform...extraordinary new talent.' - London Unattached

★★★★ 'The whole night was full of amazing theatre. Absolutely deserve[s] to be seen by wider audiences.'  - Carn's Theatre Passion

'Encompass Productions must be doing magnificently well. Smoothly executed...deftly performed.' - BritishTheatre.com

'A powerful and creative night. It is quite rare to see an evening of new writing which is of such a consistently high standard.' - Kate J Wilson (The Culture Diary)

And once more Bare Essentials was also rated 5* by YPlan users! As always we appreciate all the support and enthusiasm for our work - we can't wait to show you what's next. Speaking of which...

Those who came to Bare Essentials were treated to a the reveal of our next full-length play. As for everyone else, WATCH THIS SPACE!

Finally we'd like to officially welcome award-winning producer Sofi Berenger to the team. Sofi previously worked on Encompass productions Stasis and This is Not a Christmas Play and will be producing our next show coming soon. More info on Sofi below:

Sofi is an Australian producer working in film and theatre production. In addition to her work for Encompass Productions Sofi is also the General Manager at Iris Theatre which has recently won an Off West End award for their production of Treasure Island in 2016 and produces London's Free Open Air Theatre Season at The Scoop at City Hall. For Iris Theatre, Sofi has produced Much Ado About Nothing, Treasure Island and Xmas Factor as well as running their new musical theatre showcase opportunities Workin Process, this year they will produce Macbeth and Hansel & Gretel. Independent credits include: Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope, The Silence of Snow, Noa : Live in Concert (Arts Theatre), An Evening of Webborn and Finn (St James' Theatre), Happy Ending (Arcola Theatre), Romance/Romance (Landor Theatre) and Macbeth (Greenwich Theatre). As a film producer, Sofi has produced award-winning short films such as The Suitcase and The Rusted Heart and produced work for Cornetto, HSBC, World Vision, Live Nation, Top Shop and London's ZSL Zoo. 

IT'S A NEW YEAR AND A NEW DAY FOR BARE ESSENTIALS!

London's best reviewed new writing night returns to the West End with 6 plays focusing on 'new beginnings.' Like drama? Comedy? Everything in between? We've got something for everyone! Get an earlybird discount by using the promo 'BEEARLY' here: bit.ly/YPLANBE

ANNOUNCEMENT KLAXON!

Liam has lots of very special news for you...

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT THIS FESTIVE SEASON...

...and all seasons.

Find out more and please give generously:

www.crisis.org.uk/pages/donate.html
www.shelter.org.uk
www.centrepoint.org.uk

Go behind-the-scenes of one of our first productions by visiting the Stormin' Norman blog.

Official selection of the 2013 Portobello Film Festival

© Encompass Productions

BARE ESSENTIALS REVIEWS ROUNDUP - WHAT'S NEXT FOR EP?

This Summer's Bare Essentials - The 'Best Of' Edition came to a close with a sell-out show (we had to put in extra chairs...) and our biggest audience yet at the Seven Dias Club, in London's West End! Here's what the reviewers had to say...

★★★★★ 'Encompass delivered a fantastic evening. Ultimately, theatre is all about the writing and acting and once again Bare Essentials has delivered that in style.' - LondonTheatre1

★★★★ 'The stunning minimalism presented by Encompass is precisely the kind of theatre London needs more of.' - Pursued by Bears

'Encompass deserve the recognition and applause. A great evening of theatre.' - Hello Emma Kay

Bare Essentials is also rated 5* by YPlan users. It's London's top 'things to do' app so we appreciate the recommendations!

Thanks to the many of you who came, the tremendous reception and feedback encourages us to uphold Bare Essentials' reputation as London's best reviewed new writing night. Think we're going to take a break? Think again! We have started pre-production on our next main house show which at this stage is top secret - but we cannot wait to reveal it when the time comes. And of course we expect another Bare Essentials before the year's end. Until then!