Ecstasy Tickets

In 1979 audiences arriving at the Hampstead Theatre witnessed what was then the new play from the acclaimed Mike Leigh – “Ecstasy” – and along with his acclaimed direction the show also featuring performances from the likes of Julie Walters and Jim Broadbent. So it became one of Leigh’s many famous hits with ease and 2011 sees its welcome return, with Leigh returning to the production. With a run at its original home of the Hampstead Theatre to begin with, the show is also set for a brief run at the Duchess Theatre from April to May and with Leigh’s reputation it is likely that audiences will be flocking to pick up theatre tickets whilst they have the chance.

Mike Leigh is not only one of the most acclaimed voices in the theatrical world, he is also a renowned film director of movies like “Another Year”, “Vera Drake”, “Topsy-Turvy” and more. His work has been noted for its unique style – with kitchen-sink realism the term that many choose to describe his pieces – and this has been apparent onscreen and in plays like “Abigail’s Party”, “Bleak Moments”, “Smelling a Rat” and “Two Thousand Years”, among an abundance of others.

And with “Ecstasy” audiences witnessed Leigh at one of his best moments, crafting a piece that is of its time and looks distinctly relevant in today’s climate of public sector cuts and economic gloom. Set in the late 1970s just after the Winter of Discontent, “Ecstasy” follows four characters that come together in a bed-sit in Kilburn and share in their frustrations. One of them is Jean, who is already living in Kilburn at the start of the production and works as a garage attendant. She is soon joined by Len, plus Dawn, Mick and their children, and together they indulge in their drunken and frustrated anger.

The show is set to appear on the stage of the Duchess just ahead of “Butley”, which appears later in the year. The show is also one of two opportunities that audiences will have to witness the work of Mike Leigh on the stage in 2011 – with a new play set to open at the National Theatre as the year progresses.

“Ecstasy” will makes its way to the West End’s Duchess Theatre for a run that begins on Tuesday 12th April 2011 and continues to Saturday 28th May 2011.