Bhaskar, Fletcher & Cunnffe Join the Rose Theatre's DUMB SHOW

British actor, writer and comedian Sanjeev Bhaskar will play Barry in the Rose Theatre's next home-grown production, Dumb Show, which opens on April 1st.

Joe Penhall's black comedy tells the story of Barry, aka ‘Mr Saturday Night' a TV comedian and presenter, who has never quite been able to grasp the celebrity lifestyle he so desperately craves. So when two corporate bankers lure him with the promise of serious money and the perks of fame, he greedily takes the bait. But celebrity comes at a price and Barry becomes the victim of a major tabloid sting.

Dumb Show explores society's obsession with celebrity, the manipulation and re-writing of truth and the exploitation of misery for entertainment.

Sanjeev Bhaskar, best known for his work in Goodness Gracious Me and the host of The Kumars at No. 42 (BBC) has recently been on stage at the Palace Theatre, London in Spamalot (2008).

Sanjeev will be joined by Dexter Fletcher, star of Hotel Babylon (BBC), Band of Brothers (HBO) and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Dexter will play tabloid journalist, Greg alongside Emma Cunniffe, who will play Liz. Emma has recently been on stage in Amongst Friends (Hampstead Theatre) and The Entertainer (The Old Vic). Emma also starred in the television series The Lakes (BBC).

Stephen Unwin is Artistic Director of the Rose. His recent productions include The Winslow Boy, Miss Julie and Treasure Island. Stephen foundEd English Touring Theatre, during which time he directed almost thirty productions of new and classical work for the company both on tour and in the West End.

Winner of the Evening Standard, Olivier and Critics Circle awards for Best Play, Joe Penhall is the writer of Blue/Orange which ran at the National Theatre and subsequently in the West End. He has also written the screenplay for the new major film release, The Road.

The Rose Theatre, Kingston began as an idea in 1986 by local Councillors and residents of Kingston. The shell of the Rose was built by St George PLC as part of a planning agreement with the Royal Borough of Kingston for the Charter Quay residential and commercial development. The agreement did not include the completion / fit out of the venue. The architects Blundell, Thompson and Hargreaves were appointed in 2004 to further develop the original designs for the venue.

Sir Peter Hall became the Director of the Rose in 2003 and developed the vision for the theatre, which included an ambition for a resident ensemble repertoire theatre company. Peter Hall directed a short season in the unfinished auditorium in 2004 which included As You Like It. This season, billed as the ‘In the Raw' season, also included productions of Henry V and A Woman Killed with Kindness presented by Northern Broadsides, and a community play Don Juan in Kingston.

The completed Rose Theatre, Kingston opened its doors for the first time to the public on 16 January 2008 with a new production of Uncle Vanya, directed by Peter Hall, presented by English Touring Theatre and with a cast that included Nicholas Le Prevost, Neil Pearson and Ronald Pickup. 

For more information, visit: www.rosetheatre.org.uk.