Twenty-Thousand Streets Under the Sky Q&A at Southwark Playhouse

Twenty-Thousand Streets Under the Sky Q&A at Southwark Playhouse

If you have heard of British writer Patrick Hamilton (1904-1962), it’s most likely through his plays Rope and Gas Light, or their film versions. Or perhaps his 1941 novel Hangover Square.

In between those more famous works, Hamilton penned a trilogy of London-set novels – The Midnight Bell (1929), The Siege of Pleasure (1932) and The Plains of Cement (1934) – collectively known as Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky, which now leaps from page to stage care of Troupe Theatre.

Adapted by Simon Reade, who also adapted Christopher Isherwood’s A Single Man for the company, Twenty Thousand Streets takes place in and around a seedy London pub, where a daisy chain of unrequited love is laying waste to broken souls.

Middle-aged man of means Mr Eccles is in love with young barmaid Ella, who is in love with her aspiring-writer co-worker Bob, who is love with alluring prostitute Jenny, who is in love with the bottle.

Can any of them break free – whether from class, loneliness or addiction – to make a real connection?

Following Friday night’s performance, I was joined by Troupe founder and producer Ashley Cook, director Matthew Iliffe, and cast members Rosalind Lailey, Alex Bhat, Lucy Gray and Emily Beck to discuss the legacy of Patrick Hamilton and the rise of the flawed but human anti-hero in drama.

Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky runs at Southwark Playhouse Borough until 17 October 2026.

Q&A video

With thanks to Nina Studer.

Q&A photos

With thanks to Darren Ross.

On social media

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Southwark Playhouse (@swkplay)