The National Theatre production of Alan Bennett’s Untold Stories,  featuring the two autobiographical recollections Hymn and Cocktail Sticks, will transfer to the Duchess Theatre in London’s West End from 22 March 2013 for a twelve week run with a press night on 2 April.   Alex Jennings repeats his highly-praised performance as Bennett in both pieces. 

 

Hymn is a touching memoir of music in childhood, with words by Alan Bennett and an evocative score by George Fenton.  It is directed by Nadia Fall.

 

Cocktail Sticks is directed by Nicholas Hytner and revisits some of the themes and conversations of Alan Bennett’s memoir A Life Like Other People’s.  A son talks to his dead father as his mother yearns for a different life.  It’s funny, tender and sad. 

 

NT Associate Alex Jennings’ many appearances at the National include Collaborators, The Habit of Art, Present Laughter, The Alchemist, Stuff Happens, His Girl Friday, The Relapse and The Winter’s Tale (for which two roles he won the 2001 Evening Standard Award for Best Actor), Albert Speer and My Fair Lady at Drury Lane (Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical).

 

Untold Stories is designed by Bob Crowley, with lighting by Tom Snell; sound design for Hymn is by Mike Walker and for Cocktail Sticks by John Leonard.