Helene Hanff News

In an age of Instant Messenger, Snapchat and Twitter, many of us may have never experienced the quiet thrill of receiving a handwritten, personal letter. 84 Charing Cross Road is James Roose-Evans' adaptation of Helene Hanff's charming and very personal book of letters. It goes back to a time when people not only hand wrote correspondence, but had to buy their books from a physical bookshop, rather than clicking to purchase them online. The story is an account of the New York playwright's own twenty-year relationship with the manager of Marks & Co. bookshop, conducted entirely through letters.

When I was approached by Cambridge Arts Theatre to direct a revival of 84 Charing Cross Road, I was hazily familiar with the title (probably due to the film version starring Anthony Hopkins), but I knew nothing of the story or the stage version.

Cambridge Arts Theatre today presents James Roose-Evans' adaptation of Helene Hanff's novel 84 Charing Cross Road, in collaboration with Lee Dean and Salisbury Playhouse. The cast includes  Stefanie Powers (Helene Hanff) and Clive Francis (Frank Doel). Fiona Bruce (Mrs Todd), Loren O'Dair (Megan/Maxine), William Oxborrow (Mr Martin), Samantha Sutherland (Cecily Farr) and Ben Tolley (Bill Humphries/Alvin). The production opens at Darlington Hippodrome on Wednesday 23 May before touring to Wolverhampton, Malvern, Richmond, Oxford and finishing at Cambridge Arts Theatre on 30 June.

Cambridge Arts Theatre today announces a new UK tour of James Roose-Evans' adaptation of Helene Hanff's novel 84 Charing Cross Road, in collaboration with Lee Dean and Salisbury Playhouse. Richard Beecham directs Stefanie Powers as Helene Hanff and Clive Francis as Frank Doel. The production opens at Darlington Hippodrome today 23 May before touring to Wolverhampton, Malvern, Richmond, Oxford and finishing in Cambridge Arts Theatre on 30 June.

Cambridge Arts Theatre today announce full casting for James Roose-Evans' adaptation of Helene Hanff's novel 84 Charing Cross Road, in collaboration with Lee Dean and Salisbury Playhouse. Joining the previously announced Stefanie Powers (Helene Hanff) and Clive Francis (Frank Doel) are Fiona Bruce (Mrs Todd), Loren O'Dair (Megan/Maxine), William Oxborrow (Mr Martin), Samantha Sutherland (Cecily Farr) and Ben Tolley (Bill Humphries/Alvin). The production opens at Darlington Hippodrome on Wednesday 23 May before touring to Wolverhampton, Malvern, Richmond, Oxford and finishing at Cambridge Arts Theatre on 30 June.

Adapted from Helene Hanff's best-selling book, 84 Charing Cross Road has been delighting audiences since it's premiere in 1981. A tender and heart-warming take of transatlantic friendship, this bittersweet comedy is based on the extraordinary true story of the remarkable relationship that developed over 20 years between a vivacious New York writer and a London bookseller. Through their exchange of humorous and often intimate correspondence a snapshot of Britain from the post-war 1940's to the swinging 60's is revealed, alongside a touching human story that still resonates today.

Cambridge Arts Theatre today announces a new UK tour of James Roose-Evans' adaptation of Helene Hanff's novel 84 Charing Cross Road, in collaboration with Lee Dean and Salisbury Playhouse. Richard Beecham directs Stefanie Powers as Helene Hanff and Clive Francis as Frank Doel. The production opens at Darlington Hippodrome on Wednesday 23 May before touring to Wolverhampton, Malvern, Richmond, Oxford and finishing in Cambridge Arts Theatre on 30 June.

Wolverhampton has announced three new shows. On Sale Dates For New Season: Friends of the Grand - 10am Monday 19 February 2018, General Public - 10am Wednesday 21 February 2018

Here's a small selection of photos from the opening night of Cambridge Arts Theatre's current production, 84 Charing Cross Road, starring Stefanie Powers and Clive Francis (playing until 17 Sept). 

Hollywood and Broadway legend, Stefanie Powers, stars as Helene Hanff in a major new production of 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD at Cambridge Arts Theatre, alongside Clive Francis as Frank Doel, reprising the role he played to critical acclaim in 2015.

Hollywood and Broadway legend, Stefanie Powers, stars as Helene Hanff in a major new production of 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD at Cambridge Arts Theatre, alongside Clive Francis as Frank Doel, reprising the role he played to critical acclaim in 2015.

Today Frontier Theatre Productions announces the full cast for its first production of Marguerite Duras' The Lovers of Viorne in a translation by Barbara Bray, opening on 4 May, with a preview on 3 May, and running until 21 May.  James Roose-Evans directs Charlotte Cornwell (Claire), Kevin Trainor (Interrogator) and Martin Turner (Pierre Lannes).

The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival has awarded Charles Leipart as the winner of the 2016 Best One-Act Play Contest.  His winning play "Cream Cakes In Munich" will be given a staged reading as part of the festival and the play will be published in Bayou Magazine.

Frontier Theatre Productions' Artistic Director James Roose-Evans today announces the company's first show - a production of Marguerite Duras's The Lovers Of Viorne which runs from 3 - 21 May at The Theatre Room, Frontier's new 55 seat chamber theatre in their headquarters at 6 Frederick's Place.  Roose-Evans directs Charlotte Cornwell as Claire with full casting to be announced shortly. 

A cast of familiar musical theatre performers is announced today to join LES MISERABLES star Mandy Holliday, returning to the West End in a new version of Hans Christian Andersen's famous folk tale, THE TINDERBOX.

Ray Cooney, Dame Judi Dench, Mike Leigh, Sir Ian McKellen, Vanessa Redgrave and Juliet Stevenson are among the notable patrons of a new UK theatre company founded 'to create theatre for the Third Age.'

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre has announced full casting for Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, which begins rehearsals today, Monday 11 May. Celebrated as one of the most important plays of the nineteenth century, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre have commissioned a new version by Torben Betts to mark the 120th Anniversary of Chekhov's original play. The Seagull will run at the iconic theatre from 19 June - 11 July.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre has announced full casting for Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, which begins rehearsals today, Monday 11 May. Celebrated as one of the most important plays of the nineteenth century, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre have commissioned a new version by Torben Betts to mark the 120th Anniversary of Chekhov's original play. The Seagull will run at the iconic theatre from 19 June - 11 July.

Casting for Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's 2015 production of J.M Barrie's Peter Pan has today been announced, with lead casting for The Seagull and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers also confirmed. The season opens for previews on 15 May.

The Crazy Coqs at the Brasserie Zedel, Piccadilly, has announced its March 2015 programme, featuring Billy Stritch (March 3-5), Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch (March 6 & 7), Janie Dee (March 10-14), Roulston & Young (March 17-19), Bobby Crush (March 20 & 21) and Claire Martin & Joe Stilgoe (March 24-28). Scroll down for details!