The Kitchen Tickets

With a tradition of welcoming some acclaimed and stand-out shows to its stage, the Olivier National Theatre remains true to form as “The Kitchen” is added to its Autumn line-up from September 2011. With a famous script from the renowned playwright Arnold Wesker and performances from some familiar faces to the National Theatre it will be one of many shows to appear here that will leave a lasting impression on members of the audience. Following up other productions this year such as “The Cherry Orchard” with Zoe Wanamaker and during a time in which other famous plays are returning to the capital – such as Jez Butterworth’s “Jerusalem” – it proves that London is still the best place to catch some unbeatable shows.

“The Kitchen”, as one might expect, is set in a kitchen. But not just any kitchen; this is a busy kitchen in a high profile West End location in the 1950s where the pressure is rising and an array of personalities and nationalities attempt to get to the end of the day. Whether it is the flirting of staff or the demands of customers this is a bustling location and among it all is young cook Peter (Tom Brooke), who is full of spirit and also managing to have an affair with a married waitress called Monique. It was penned in 1957 and premiered at the Royal Court in 1959.

Tom Brooke is one of the cast members appearing in the production and he arrives on the back of various stage, television and film credits. In the London theatre world he was previously seen in shows like “Jerusalem” at the Apollo Theatre and “I am the Wind” at the Young Vic Theatre. Meanwhile, his screen credits include “The Boat that Rocked”, “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason”, “The Libertine”, “Foyle’s War” and “Rock and Chips”.

His co-star Neale Barry also has an abundance of credits, from the Terry Gilliam film “The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus” to television shows such as “The Bill” and “Footballers Wives”. His stage credits include “Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads” at the National Theatre and other shows like “The Gods Weep”.

“The Kitchen” begins its run at the Olivier National Theatre on Wednesday 7th September 2011 (with previews from Wednesday 31st August 2011)  and continues to Sunday 6th November 2011.