Acclaimed Shakespearean actor and founder member of Edward Hall’s Propeller ensemble company Tony Bell brings his first solo play, the “hilarious and moving” Man in the Rain, to London’s Brockley Jack Theatre.
“Come to Daddy. No, not to Mummy, to Daddy. That’s it. Knees bent. Best foot forward.”
Alan and Dorothy have great plans for Tony, their miracle baby. He’s going to conquer the world, as soon as they’ve found the right recipe.
Cocooned in Seventies suburbia, Tony thinks he plays drums like Keith Moon, football like Bobby Charlton, and warbles like Donny Osmond. Meantime, Dorothy teaches him radical feminism while Alan serenades with Gilbert and Sullivan.
A hippy guru awakens Tony to the joys of free love and an acting coach propels him into the West End until family secrets catch up with him. This poignant, funny play explores how parents and children navigate their differences and asks why some choose to perform and others choose to watch.
Man in the Rain is written and performed by Tony Bell, directed by Caroline Faber and presented by Quiet Light. It comes to London’s Brockley Jack Theatre after success on tour.
Tony Bell has been an actor for over thirty years, with roles in The Crown and Coronation Street. He is a founder member of Propeller Shakespeare ensemble, touring globally to New York, Manila and Milan. This is his first solo play and he is delighted to open so close to his new home.
Following the 70-minute performance at 7.30pm on Tuesday 26 November 2024, I’ll talk to Man in the Rain‘s writer and star Tony Bell. Any questions? Join us!
Reviews for Tony Bell:
“Totally captivated in this hilarious and moving Man In The Rain. Tony Bell is such a funny, physical, versatile actor equally comfortable playing Shakespeare, panto Dame, or singing Gilbert and Sullivan” – Sue Odell, CDG Casting
“The keynote is provided by Bell’s superbly decrepit Feste who combines fiddling and fooling” – Guardian
“Bell is a wonderfully louche Autolycus, got up like an addled glam rock star” – The Telegraph
“Bell steals the show as Bottom with his Pythonesque spin on the character that alludes to several of Eric Idle’s and Graham Chapman’s characterisations” – Mark Young, BBC
