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

RAVE REVIEWS FOR STASIS AT THE WHITE BEAR THEATRE!

BUY TICKETS

LISTEN TO THE SOUNDTRACK PREVIEW

**** LondonTheatre1 **** The Upcoming **** Female Arts 

**** Grumpy Gay Critic **** I Am Boards

UNTIL 25 APRIL 2015

WHITE BEAR THEATRE, KENNINGTON, LONDON

Entering their fifth anniversary year Encompass Productions present the world premiere of Stasis at the White Bear Theatre, Kennington for two weeks from 14 April 2015.

How far are you willing to go to say you’re sorry? 

Stowaway Ren is on a Union spacecraft. Mission uncertain. What is for sure, is that she shouldn’t be there. With the whole crew in stasis and only a hologram and the ship’s computer for company, Ren must cope with isolation and depleting oxygen whilst trying to find her way home.

 An intimate and bold new vision from Emily Holyoake and Encompass Productions, Stasis is a thrilling science fiction drama with a ‘spellbinding narrative saturated with imagination, sincerity, and humour’ (Impact – preview).

Reviews and press for 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
'Incredibly impressive. Astonishing new writing.' **** Grumpy Gay Critic
'A  classic piece of sci fi. Wonderful.' **** I Am Boards 
'I was totally invested. An excellent script and talented actors. Marvellous.' A Younger Theatre 
'Utterly credible. You really should see Stasis.' Glass Magazine

Naomi Stafford as 'Ren' in Stasis

Encompass are a London-based theatre and production company that have been making bold and visually arresting new work since 2010. They explore the psychological and emotional, drawing from cinematic influences to tell stories through heightened reality. Their mission: to challenge, move and entertain.

Directed by Liam Fleming
Produced by Jonathan Woodhouse & Liam Fleming
Written by Emily Holyoake
Designed by Sarah Buller
Music and sound by Alex Burnett
Lighting by Owen Pritchard Smith
Associate Producer: Rachael Owens


Press releases/touring/feature requests: press@encompassproductions.co.uk

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Naomi Stafford – Ren

Naomi trained as an actor and graduated from the Poor School in 2012. She also gained a first class degree in Maths from the University of Leeds. She tours regularly with the award-winning Bootworks Theatre Company with A Little Box of Horrors and La Boite Noire. She has also appeared in more classical theatre; as Dunyasha in The Cherry Orchard and Olga in The Parasite, an adaptation of Turgenev’s A Poor Gentleman. Most recently she had the pleasure of working with Roundhouse Radio, recording two new radio plays; Tiger and The First Day of the Rest of Your Life. Naomi is the co-founder of The Watermark Collective; a company of actors who provide a bespoke script reading service for new writing of screen, stage and radio.

Ceridwen Smith – The Hologram

Ceridwen trained at Drama Centre London, which included work at Shakespeare’s Globe, London and the Vakhtangov Institute, Moscow.  Since graduating, her work has included Venice Preserv'd (Spectators' Guild); The Wind in the Willows (Lord Chamberlain's Men); The Girl With No Heart (National tour with Sparkle and Dark); Audience with the Ghostfinder (Etcetera); Olga’s Room (Arcola); Rhinegold (The Yard);  Mervyn Peake’s Noah’s Ark (Blue Elephant); The Clockmaster (National tour with Sparkle and Dark) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Cochrane). 

Scarlet Sweeney – The Computer (voice)

Theatre credits: As Ye Sow (Pleasance, Edinburgh – Nominated Best Actress by The Stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Awards for Acting Excellence), The Ruth Ellis Show (George Wood Theatre), Blood Wedding (Waterloo East Theatre), Potholes (Theatre 503), Love Vs Hate; Wounds (Tristan Bates Theatre), St George’s Day (New Diorama Theatre), 7 Year Itch (Barbican), Le Justes (Cockpit Theatre – in French/co-directed), Grand Guignol (Etcetera Theatre), Revenge of the Grand Guignol (Courtyard Theatre), We Are Scorned (Bloomsbury Theatre), The Censor (BAC), Mariana Pineda (Arcola Theatre), All Together Now (Barbican), In Camera (Rosemary Branch), Jocasta (Chelsea Arts Theatre), Coffee Cigarettes & Paranoia (King’s Head Theatre). Film: Mother (Contra Image), Keith and Val (Beckton Alp Cinema).

STASIS AT THE WHITE BEAR THEATRE 14 - 25 APRIL

BUY TICKETS

LISTEN TO THE SOUNDTRACK PREVIEW

14 - 25 APRIL 2015

 WHITE BEAR THEATRE, KENNINGTON, LONDON

Entering their fifth anniversary year Encompass Productions present the world premiere of Stasis at the White Bear Theatre, Kennington for two weeks from 14 April 2015.

How far are you willing to go to say you’re sorry?

Stowaway Ren is on a Union spacecraft. Mission uncertain. What is for sure, is that she shouldn’t be there. With the whole crew in stasis and only a hologram and the ship’s computer for company, Ren must cope with isolation and depleting oxygen whilst trying to find her way home.

An intimate and bold new vision from Emily Holyoake and Encompass Productions, Stasis is a thrilling science fiction drama with a ‘spellbinding narrative saturated with imagination, sincerity, and humour’ (Impact – preview).

Reviews and press for Encompass Productions:

‘Guaranteed to strike a chord. Impressive...original.’ The Stage

‘Pitch-perfect. Intelligent, stimulating and heartfelt. The sheer beauty blew me away.’ ★★★★★EdFringe Review

‘Accomplishes something original...see this show.’ ★★★★ LondonTheatre1

‘A highly dramatic show with big ideas. Encompass are ones to watch.’

Everything Theatre

‘Visually stunning...genuinely moving and thought provoking.’

A Younger Theatre

‘High quality acting and equally impressive directing panache. A breath of fresh air.’

Theatre Bubble

‘Raw, edgy, with distinctive eloquent performances. Terrific direction...this is real theatre.’ John Foster (BAFTA award-winning writer)

Encompass are a London-based theatre and production company that have been making bold and visually arresting new work since 2010. They explore the psychological and emotional, drawing from cinematic influences to tell stories through heightened reality. Their mission: to challenge, move and entertain.

Directed by Liam Fleming                    

Produced by Jonathan Woodhouse & Liam Fleming

Written by Emily Holyoake
Designed by Sarah Buller

Music and sound by Alex Burnett

Lighting by Owen Pritchard Smith

Associate Producer: Rachael Owens

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Naomi Stafford – Ren

Naomi trained as an actor and graduated from the Poor School in 2012. She also gained a first class degree in Maths from the University of Leeds. She tours regularly with the award-winning Bootworks Theatre Company with A Little Box of Horrors and La Boite Noire. She has also appeared in more classical theatre; as Dunyasha in The Cherry Orchard and Olga in The Parasite, an adaptation of Turgenev’s A Poor Gentleman. Most recently she had the pleasure of working with Roundhouse Radio, recording two new radio plays; Tiger and The First Day of the Rest of Your Life. Naomi is the co-founder of The Watermark Collective; a company of actors who provide a bespoke script reading service for new writing of screen, stage and radio.

Ceridwen Smith – The Hologram

Ceridwen trained at Drama Centre London, which included work at Shakespeare’s Globe, London and the Vakhtangov Institute, Moscow.  Since graduating, her work has included Venice Preserv'd (Spectators' Guild); The Wind in the Willows (Lord Chamberlain's Men); The Girl With No Heart (National tour with Sparkle and Dark); Audience with the Ghostfinder (Etcetera); Olga’s Room (Arcola); Rhinegold (The Yard);  Mervyn Peake’s Noah’s Ark (Blue Elephant); The Clockmaster (National tour with Sparkle and Dark) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Cochrane). 

Scarlet Sweeney – The Computer (voice)

Theatre credits: As Ye Sow (Pleasance, Edinburgh – Nominated Best Actress by The Stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Awards for Acting Excellence), The Ruth Ellis Show (George Wood Theatre), Blood Wedding (Waterloo East Theatre), Potholes (Theatre 503), Love Vs Hate; Wounds (Tristan Bates Theatre), St George’s Day (New Diorama Theatre), 7 Year Itch (Barbican), Le Justes (Cockpit Theatre – in French/co-directed), Grand Guignol (Etcetera Theatre), Revenge of the Grand Guignol (Courtyard Theatre), We Are Scorned (Bloomsbury Theatre), The Censor (BAC), Mariana Pineda (Arcola Theatre), All Together Now (Barbican), In Camera (Rosemary Branch), Jocasta (Chelsea Arts Theatre), Coffee Cigarettes & Paranoia (King’s Head Theatre). Film: Mother (Contra Image), Keith and Val (Beckton Alp Cinema).

STASIS TICKETS NOW ON SALE! - BARE ESSENTIALS REVIEW ROUNDUP

BUY TICKETS

14 - 25 APRIL 2015

 WHITE BEAR THEATRE, KENNINGTON, LONDON

Entering their fifth anniversary year Encompass Productions present the world premiere of Stasis at the White Bear Theatre, Kennington for two weeks from 14 April 2015.

How far are you willing to go to say you’re sorry?

Stowaway Ren is on a Union spacecraft. Mission uncertain. What is for sure, is that she shouldn’t be there. With the whole crew in stasis and only a hologram and the ship’s computer for company, Ren must cope with isolation and depleting oxygen whilst trying to find her way home.

An intimate and bold new vision from Emily Holyoake and Encompass Productions, Stasis is a thrilling science fiction drama with a ‘spellbinding narrative saturated with imagination, sincerity, and humour’ (Impact – preview).

Reviews and press for Encompass Productions:

‘Guaranteed to strike a chord. Impressive...original.’ The Stage

‘Pitch-perfect. Intelligent, stimulating and heartfelt. The sheer beauty blew me away.’ ★★★★★EdFringe Review

‘Accomplishes something original...see this show.’ ★★★★ LondonTheatre1

‘A highly dramatic show with big ideas. Encompass are ones to watch.’

Everything Theatre

‘Visually stunning...genuinely moving and thought provoking.’

A Younger Theatre

‘High quality acting and equally impressive directing panache. A breath of fresh air.’

Theatre Bubble

‘Raw, edgy, with distinctive eloquent performances. Terrific direction...this is real theatre.’ John Foster (BAFTA award-winning writer)

Encompass are a London-based theatre and production company that have been making bold and visually arresting new work since 2010. They explore the psychological and emotional, drawing from cinematic influences to tell stories through heightened reality. Their mission: to challenge, move and entertain.

Directed by Liam Fleming                    

Produced by Jonathan Woodhouse & Liam Fleming

Written by Emily Holyoake
Designed by Sarah Buller

Music and sound by Alex Burnett

Lighting by Owen Pritchard Smith

Associate Producer: Rachael Owens

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Naomi Stafford – Ren

Naomi trained as an actor and graduated from the Poor School in 2012. She also gained a first class degree in Maths from the University of Leeds. She tours regularly with the award-winning Bootworks Theatre Company with A Little Box of Horrors and La Boite Noire. She has also appeared in more classical theatre; as Dunyasha in The Cherry Orchard and Olga in The Parasite, an adaptation of Turgenev’s A Poor Gentleman. Most recently she had the pleasure of working with Roundhouse Radio, recording two new radio plays; Tiger and The First Day of the Rest of Your Life. Naomi is the co-founder of The Watermark Collective; a company of actors who provide a bespoke script reading service for new writing of screen, stage and radio.

Ceridwen Smith – The Hologram

Ceridwen trained at Drama Centre London, which included work at Shakespeare’s Globe, London and the Vakhtangov Institute, Moscow.  Since graduating, her work has included Venice Preserv'd (Spectators' Guild); The Wind in the Willows (Lord Chamberlain's Men); The Girl With No Heart (National tour with Sparkle and Dark); Audience with the Ghostfinder (Etcetera); Olga’s Room (Arcola); Rhinegold (The Yard);  Mervyn Peake’s Noah’s Ark (Blue Elephant); The Clockmaster (National tour with Sparkle and Dark) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Cochrane). 

Scarlet Sweeney – The Computer (voice)

Theatre credits: As Ye Sow (Pleasance, Edinburgh – Nominated Best Actress by The Stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Awards for Acting Excellence), The Ruth Ellis Show (George Wood Theatre), Blood Wedding (Waterloo East Theatre), Potholes (Theatre 503), Love Vs Hate; Wounds (Tristan Bates Theatre), St George’s Day (New Diorama Theatre), 7 Year Itch (Barbican), Le Justes (Cockpit Theatre – in French/co-directed), Grand Guignol (Etcetera Theatre), Revenge of the Grand Guignol (Courtyard Theatre), We Are Scorned (Bloomsbury Theatre), The Censor (BAC), Mariana Pineda (Arcola Theatre), All Together Now (Barbican), In Camera (Rosemary Branch), Jocasta (Chelsea Arts Theatre), Coffee Cigarettes & Paranoia (King’s Head Theatre). Film: Mother (Contra Image), Keith and Val (Beckton Alp Cinema).

BARE ESSENTIALS - REVIEWS AND PHOTOS

Bare Essentials recently had its most successful run to date with four performances at the Take Courage Theatre at the legendary Amersham Arms, New Cross. On the last night we moved downstairs to the main space which completely filled up with a sell-out audience! Our regular series of new writing events received a number of excellent reviews, see some choice quotes below alongside production photos:

'Build A Wall' by Cary Pepper

'Letting Go' by Rhea MacCallum

'High quality acting and equally impressive directing panache. A breath of fresh air on the fringe circuit.' ★★★★ Theatre Bubble

Read full review >>

'I'll Take a Dozen Accountants...with Sprinkles' by Matt Hanf

'Friend Roulette' by Adam Lowe

'Theatre at its most nude and impactful. Another astonishing achievement. Miss the next Bare Essentials at your peril.' ★★★★ Grumpy Gay Critic

Read full review >>

'The Maltese Walter' by John Minigan

'Little Boy' by John Foster

'Encompass Productions has proved again that all one needs for interesting theatre is a great script, a room and actors that are willing to give it their all.' ★★★★ Female Arts

Read full review >>

BAFTA-winning writer John Foster - whose work 'Little Boy' was met with unanimous praise - also shared his thoughts on the night as well as his experience of working with Encompass for a second time on Bare Essentials:

'A very rigorous and creative process which makes Bare Essentials very different from the average scratch night...[it] is sustained at another level and provides a proper professional production of a very high standard.' 

Read more thoughts from John Foster here >>

We'd like to thank everyone who made this the biggest and best Bare Essentials yet - look out for the next event in June, and see you at Stasis at the White Bear Theatre in next month!

Team Encompass for Bare Essentials February 2015!

THIS IS NOT A CHRISTMAS PLAY NOW PLAYING! - NEW TRAILER AND ARTWORK!

BUY TICKETS

9 DECEMBER - 4 JANUARY 2015

TOP SECRET COMEDY CLUB, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON

A farcical tribute to the festive season without shoving eggnog down your throat, this is the ultimate alternative Christmas story!

“Home invasion, The Virgin Mary and Chinese Food. The Holy Trinity of Christmas.”

It’s Christmas Day, but David refuses to acknowledge this fact. Along with his best friend and professional layabout Tim he is on a mission to win his ex-girlfriend back, but will she even show-up? As an amusing assortment of strange characters turn up at their door, the pair soon discovers that turkey isn’t the only thing on the menu…

This is Not a Christmas Play is a story about friendship on the most famous day of the year but without all the clichés of the Christmas season. Funny and heartfelt, the play takes us through a few hours in the life of one stressed individual and his well-meaning friend as Christmas is forced upon them in more ways than one!

@EncompassOnline                            #ThisIsNotAChristmasPlay

Reviews and press for Encompass Productions:

Life in a Sketchbook, at the Top Secret Comedy Club:

‘Fresh...funny and fast-paced. A true delight to watch.’ ★★★★ Official Theatre

‘Incredibly witty...strong and intriguing. Funny and engaging performances.’ 

★★★★ Female Arts

‘Clever. Poignant...hilarious. Honest laughter and genuine entertainment.’

A Younger Theatre

Other press and quotes:

"A highly dramatic show with big ideas. Encompass are ones to watch."

Everything Theatre

"Raw, edgy, with distinctive eloquent performances. Terrific direction...this is real theatre." 

John Foster (BAFTA award-winning writer)

‘West-End potential...beautifully done. There should be more theatre like it.’

Backstage Pass

Encompass are a London-based theatre and production company that have been making bold and visually arresting new work since 2010. They explore the psychological and emotional, drawing from cinematic influences to tell stories through heightened reality. Their mission: to challenge, move and entertain.

Directed by Jonathan Woodhouse                    

Associate Director: Rachael Owens

Produced by Jonathan Woodhouse, Liam Fleming & Rachael Owens

Designed by Sarah Buller

Music by Alex Burnett

Stage Manager: Sofi Berenger

Publicity design by: Brian Fairbairn >>
Photography by: Adam Bennett >>

SHOW INFORMATION

Venue: Top Secret Comedy Club, Covent Garden

Address: 170a Drury Lane, London WC2B 5PD

Station(s): Covent Garden/Holborn (5 min walk)

Dates and times: 

9 December – 4 January 2015

Tuesdays – Sundays

6.30pm doors – 6.45pm start

Saturday performance @ 3pm

NO performances: 24 - 29 December, 31 December, 1 January

Tickets: £12 (£10 concessions) from www.thetopsecretcomedyclub.co.uk

Website: www.encompassproductions.co.uk

Twitter: @EncompassOnline #ThisIsNotAChristmasPlay

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EncompassOnline

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

DAVID - MATTHEW LEIGH

Matthew trained at the MMU School of Theatre in Manchester. His theatre credits include The Cardinal in The Duchess of Malfi, Vindici in The Revenger’s Tragedy, Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival, and Prince Albert in new revolutionary play 1848. He also starred in the record-breaking crowdsourced feature film 50 Kisses, independent action thriller The Window Seat, and 5-star Edinburgh show Lethal Injection, which was nominated for an Amnesty International award. He likes Christmas, but has gone off tinsel… 

TIM - JORDAN KOUAME

Jordan trained with Chickenshed Theatre and Fourth Monkey Theatre Company (London & Edinburgh) . His latest credits include Yang Sun in The Good Person Of Szechwan (Trinity Buoy Wharf) Arthur Philip in Our Country's Good (Trinity Buoy Wharf) Long John Silver in Treasure Island (The Space/Ed Fringe) Rupert in Can’t Stay Away/Harlequin's 22 Misfortunes (The Space/Ed Fringe). other credits include Joe in Come On Down To My Kitchen, Sexisto in Lysistrata (Chickenshed Studio Theatre) Philip/Freddy in Noises Off, Oberon Fairy in Shakespeare’s Island (Rayne Theatre), James in Sniper (Take Courage Theatre).

MARY - ALICE COLES

Alice trained at National Youth Theatre, Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre, and graduated from Birmingham School of Acting last year. Latest credits include Miranda in Tempestory (The Tempest) Birmingham Rep/Hotel Theatro at the International Classical Theatre Festival Almagro and The Cherry Orchard (Dog Orange Theatre).  Credits include 100 Word Plays and Foot/Mouth (Soho Theatre), Merry War (Birmingham Rep/Hotel Theatro). Film credits include Girl in Black Pond, lead in She Moved Through The Fair feature film (Pendennis/Makinov Films), lead in Inchbald (Cavendish Fante Picture Company).

CLIVE - JAMES UNSWORTH

James graduated Goldsmiths College  in 2009 with a BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre. He has enjoyed an extensive theatre career starring at the National Theatre, Soho Theatre and Riverside Studios. Also he is a experienced voiceover artist working frequently for Big Finish on their Doctor Who, Dark Shadows and Dorian Gray series. He is also a trained screen and stage fighter, past work includes The Roual Opera House, Warner Brothers, Universal studios and Marvel Studios.

Notable Credits:

Theatre: Talthybius in WOMEN OF TROY(Theatro Technis), Glen in PASS IT ON (National Theatre), Fabrice in NUDE WITH VIOLIN (Upstairs at the Gatehouse), Sgt. Reg Drummond in PRIVATES ON PARADE (Greenwich Theatre), Williams in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST (Lost Theatre) and The Doctor in SHANKED (New Wimbeldeon  Theatre)

Audio: James Vane in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, Julian in DOCTOR WHO: LOVE AND WAR, Redmund Van Buren/Son of the Dark Lord/Brett Hawker in DARK SHADOWS SERIES

TV & Film: Stunt fighter in Otello (Royal Opera House), Cinderella (Disney 2015), Simon Boccanegra (BBC & Royal Opera House), Kick Ass Series (Web), Cash Collectors (TBA), Avengers: Age of Ultron (Marvel 2015)

THIS IS NOT A CHRISTMAS PLAY - ON SALE NOW!

Encompass Productions presents

BUY TICKETS

The world premiere of This is Not a Christmas Play comes to the Top Secret Comedy Club, Drury Lane for a limited four week festive season from 9 December 2014. A farcical tribute to the festive season without shoving eggnog down your throat, this is the ultimate alternative Christmas story!

“Home invasion, The Virgin Mary and Chinese Food. The Holy Trinity of Christmas.”

It’s Christmas Day, but David refuses to acknowledge this fact. Along with his best friend and professional layabout Tim he is on a mission to win his ex-girlfriend back, but will she even show-up? As an amusing assortment of strange characters turn up at their door, the pair soon discovers that turkey isn’t the only thing on the menu…

This is Not a Christmas Play is a story about friendship on the most famous day of the year but without all the clichés of the Christmas season. Funny and heartfelt, the play takes us through a few hours in the life of one stressed individual and his well-meaning friend as Christmas is forced upon them in more ways than one!

@EncompassOnline                            #ThisIsNotAChristmasPlay

Reviews and press for Encompass Productions:

Life in a Sketchbook, at the Top Secret Comedy Club:

‘Fresh...funny and fast-paced. A true delight to watch.’ ★★★★ Official Theatre

‘Incredibly witty...strong and intriguing. Funny and engaging performances.’ 

★★★★ Female Arts

‘Clever. Poignant...hilarious. Honest laughter and genuine entertainment.’

A Younger Theatre

Other press and quotes:

"A highly dramatic show with big ideas. Encompass are ones to watch."

Everything Theatre

"Raw, edgy, with distinctive eloquent performances. Terrific direction...this is real theatre." 

John Foster (BAFTA award-winning writer)

‘West-End potential...beautifully done. There should be more theatre like it.’

Backstage Pass

Encompass are a London-based theatre and production company that have been making bold and visually arresting new work since 2010. They explore the psychological and emotional, drawing from cinematic influences to tell stories through heightened reality. Their mission: to challenge, move and entertain.

Directed by Jonathan Woodhouse                    

Associate Director: Rachael Owens

Produced by Jonathan Woodhouse, Liam Fleming & Rachael Owens

Designed by Sarah Buller

Music by Alex Burnett

Stage Manager: Sofi Berenger

Publicity design by: Brian Fairbairn >>
Photography by: Adam Bennett >>

SHOW INFORMATION

Venue: Top Secret Comedy Club, Covent Garden

Address: 170a Drury Lane, London WC2B 5PD

Station(s): Covent Garden/Holborn (5 min walk)

Dates and times: 

9 December – 4 January 2015

Tuesdays – Sundays

6.30pm doors – 6.45pm start

Saturday performance @ 3pm

NO performances: 24 - 29 December, 31 December, 1 January

Tickets: £12 (£10 concessions) from www.thetopsecretcomedyclub.co.uk

Website: www.encompassproductions.co.uk

Twitter: @EncompassOnline #ThisIsNotAChristmasPlay

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EncompassOnline

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

DAVID - MATTHEW LEIGH

Matthew trained at the MMU School of Theatre in Manchester. His theatre credits include The Cardinal in The Duchess of Malfi, Vindici in The Revenger’s Tragedy, Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival, and Prince Albert in new revolutionary play 1848. He also starred in the record-breaking crowdsourced feature film 50 Kisses, independent action thriller The Window Seat, and 5-star Edinburgh show Lethal Injection, which was nominated for an Amnesty International award. He likes Christmas, but has gone off tinsel… 

TIM - JORDAN KOUAME

Jordan trained with Chickenshed Theatre and Fourth Monkey Theatre Company (London & Edinburgh) . His latest credits include Yang Sun in The Good Person Of Szechwan (Trinity Buoy Wharf) Arthur Philip in Our Country's Good (Trinity Buoy Wharf) Long John Silver in Treasure Island (The Space/Ed Fringe) Rupert in Can’t Stay Away/Harlequin's 22 Misfortunes (The Space/Ed Fringe). other credits include Joe in Come On Down To My Kitchen, Sexisto in Lysistrata (Chickenshed Studio Theatre) Philip/Freddy in Noises Off, Oberon Fairy in Shakespeare’s Island (Rayne Theatre), James in Sniper (Take Courage Theatre).

MARY - ALICE COLES

Alice trained at National Youth Theatre, Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre, and graduated from Birmingham School of Acting last year. Latest credits include Miranda in Tempestory (The Tempest) Birmingham Rep/Hotel Theatro at the International Classical Theatre Festival Almagro and The Cherry Orchard (Dog Orange Theatre).  Credits include 100 Word Plays and Foot/Mouth (Soho Theatre), Merry War (Birmingham Rep/Hotel Theatro). Film credits include Girl in Black Pond, lead in She Moved Through The Fair feature film (Pendennis/Makinov Films), lead in Inchbald (Cavendish Fante Picture Company).

CLIVE - JAMES UNSWORTH

James graduated Goldsmiths College  in 2009 with a BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre. He has enjoyed an extensive theatre career starring at the National Theatre, Soho Theatre and Riverside Studios. Also he is a experienced voiceover artist working frequently for Big Finish on their Doctor Who, Dark Shadows and Dorian Gray series. He is also a trained screen and stage fighter, past work includes The Roual Opera House, Warner Brothers, Universal studios and Marvel Studios.

Notable Credits:

Theatre: Talthybius in WOMEN OF TROY(Theatro Technis), Glen in PASS IT ON (National Theatre), Fabrice in NUDE WITH VIOLIN (Upstairs at the Gatehouse), Sgt. Reg Drummond in PRIVATES ON PARADE (Greenwich Theatre), Williams in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST (Lost Theatre) and The Doctor in SHANKED (New Wimbeldeon  Theatre)

Audio: James Vane in THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, Julian in DOCTOR WHO: LOVE AND WAR, Redmund Van Buren/Son of the Dark Lord/Brett Hawker in DARK SHADOWS SERIES

TV & Film: Stunt fighter in Otello (Royal Opera House), Cinderella (Disney 2015), Simon Boccanegra (BBC & Royal Opera House), Kick Ass Series (Web), Cash Collectors (TBA), Avengers: Age of Ultron (Marvel 2015)