Naveed Khan (Death on the Nile) and Kellie Shirley (In The Long Run) will lead the cast of Parlour Song, a major revival of Jez Butterworth’s play at Greenwich Theatre this May.
The darkling comic production about madness and melancholy in suburbia returns to the London stage for the first time since 2009.
Set in leafy suburbia, Parlour Song follows the story of demolition expert Ned (Khan) and his seemingly perfect life in the English countryside. Outwardly his life is entirely unremarkable, but things
slowly start to unravel from half a year of no sleep, to missing objects, and Ned’s irrational fear
of his attractive wife Joy.
Joy (Shirley) is a woman who tolerates her husband of 11 years while longing for escape from life in
their new estate.
Jeremy Edwards (The Locke Inn) completes the cast as Dale.
British playwright Butterworth is best known for Jerusalem, which portrayed modern British life through the character of Johnny ‘Rooster’ Byron, a charistmatic, rebellious figure living on the fringes of society.
His work is characterised by its rich language, sharp wit, and a blend of mythic and contemporary elements. His plays often delve into the tensions between personal freedom and societal constraints, and his work continues to be a major influence in contemporary theatre.
Parlour Song is directed by James Haddrell, in collaboration with designer Emily Bestow and lighting designer Henry Slater.
The show plays Greenwich Theatre from Thursday, May 2 – Saturday, May 24. Tickets: https://greenwichtheatre.org.uk/
Top image: Parlour Song artwork (supplied)