THE BELLE'S STRATAGEM Featuring Gina Beck, Jackie Clune & Hannah Spearritt Heads To London

Peter Huntley Productions in association with Red Handed Theatre Company presents 

The Belle’s Stratagem 

by Hannah Cowley. Directed by Jessica Swale.

Designed by Simon Kenny. Lighting Design by Christopher Nairne. 

Featuring: Gina Beck. Jackie Clune. Hannah Spearritt. Maggie Steed. Robin Soans. 

6th September to 1st October 2011 

The first major revival of Hannah Cowley’s play opens for a four week run at Southwark Playhouse on 9 September 2011 with previews from 6 September 2011

One of the greatest hits of the Georgian stage is given its first major London revival in this production, brought to you by the award-winning team behind last year’s hit production of The Rivals starring Celia Imrie.

In a time when women were second-class citizens, a group of wily ladies are determined to get their own way...
When, beautiful Letitia Hardy’s betrothed returns from the Grand Tour convinced that English women are dull, she sets out to gain his love with an ingenious scheme to prove him wrong.
Meanwhile, the jealous Sir George Touchwood arrives in town with his new wife, Lady Frances, in tow. It’s not long before two of London’s most rambunctious wits, Miss Ogle and Mrs Rackett, make it their mission to convert her into a lady of fashion.

Gina Beck

The Belle’s Stratagem will star Gina Beck as Letitia Hardy, Jackie Clune as Miss Ogle, Hannah Spearritt as Lady Frances, TMA Award winner Maggie Steed as Mrs Rackett and Robin Soans as Hardy. The cast is completed by Marc Baylis as Courtall, Holly Blair as Mrs Fagg, Cassandra Bond as Kitty Willis, Samuel Dent as Crowquill, Tim Dorsett as Villers, Mark Fountain as Dick, Jeremy Joyce as Saville, Michael Lindall as Doricourt, Christopher Logan as Flutter, Joseph Macnab as Sir George and Nigel Munson as Silvertongue.

Gina Beck recently starred in The Kissing-Dance (Jermyn Street Theatre) for which she was nominated for an Off West End award for Best Actress. Her previous theatre work includes The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables.

Jackie Clune’s theatre appearances include Mamma Mia! (International tour), Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace), Taboo (the Venue) and Julie Burchill is Away (Soho). Her television work includes The Bill, Waking the Dead and Eastenders. Jackie has also regularly performed stand-up both in London and at the Edinburgh Festival.

Hannah Spearritt

Hannah Spearritt makes her theatre debut in this production. She has most recently been seen in hit TV show Primeval. Other TV and film work includes Miss Marple, Agent Cody Banks 2 and Seed of Chucky. From 1998-2003 Hannah was a member of S Club 7.

Maggie Steed’s stage work includes The Constant Wife (Salisbury Playhouse), Hayfever (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Noises Off (tour) and The History Boys (National Theatre, Tour and Broadway). Film work includes The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and The Painted Veil. Maggie is best known for her work in television series such as Shine on Harvey Moon, Pie in the Sky, Born and Bred and Jam and Jerusalem. Maggie has recently finished filming Stella a new comedy written and starring Ruth Jones

Robin Soans appeared in Red Handed Theatre Company’s hit productions of The Rivals (Southwark Playhouse) and Palace of the End (Arcola Theatre). His other stage work includes Contingency Plan (Bush Theatre) and Coriolanus (Shakespeare’s Globe). His television work includes Waking the Dead, Holby City and Miss Marple.

The Belle’s Stratagem will be directed by Jessica Swale whose previous productions include the widely acclaimed 2010 productions of The Rivals (Southwark Playhouse) and The Palace at the End (Arcola). Other recent credits include Bedlam at Shakespeare's Globe and Winter for Theatre Newfoundland, Canada.

Listings Information

Peter Huntley Productions in association with Red Handed Theatre Company Production

THE BELLE’S STRATAGEM 

By Hannah Cowley. 

Directed by Jessica Swale.

Main House, Southwark Playhouse 

Shipwright Yard
Corner of Bermondsey St. and Tooley St. London SE1 2TF

Nearest Tube: London Bridge

Performances
6 September – 1 October 2011 

Monday to Saturday at 7.45pm 

Saturday matinees at 3.15pm

Box Office
Online www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk (24 hours / no booking fees)
Telephone 020 7407 0234 (no booking fees)

Ticket Prices
£10, £15, £10
‘Airline Style’ pricing. The earlier you book, the cheaper the tickets!

Concessions
Disabled people can bring one companion free of charge. There are no other concessions

Access
Please inform Southwark Playhouse of your access requirements at least 48 hours before you attend the performance by phoning 020 7407 0234.