The Entertainer

Don’t clap too hard. We’re all in a very old building…!

Said to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th Century by Michael Billington (Chief Theatre Critic of The Guardian), see the famous story of The Entertainer at Curve this August. For the first time since its original premiere in 1957, John Osborne’s classic is given a vibrant new setting and an electric new vision in director Sean O’Connor’s exciting production.

Shane Richie takes on the role of Archie Rice, memorably created both on stage and screen by Laurence Olivier, and is joined by Diana Vickers and the Olivier award-winning, Sara Crowe.

Archie Rice is a junkshop of stereotypical male frailties: someone who hits the bottle a little too hard and dodges taxes a little too often. Despite being a washed-up showman playing the Summer season in 1980’s Britain, he is determined that the show must go on – even if no one is there to see it.

Away from the glamour of Archie Rice’s life in showbiz, home-life is hardly a star-studded affair. As Archie’s dysfunctional family continues to fall to pieces, his son dangerously sails with the Task Force to liberate the Falklands whilst his daughter actively campaigns against the war.

Expect drama, expect scandal, expect a soundtrack of 70s & 80s music and expect a whole load of classic British entertainment.