David Starkey, James Rhodes and Ruby Wax Headed for Greenwich's 'Talking Heads' Series, Beginning Today

Historian David Starkey, concert pianist James Rhodes and comedian Ruby Wax will complete Greenwich Theatre's programme of talking heads in October and November, in the wake of the sold-out success of Germaine Greer's The Disappearing Woman on July 2.

Rhodes' talk on the battles resulting from his troubled childhood, mixed with humour, searing honesty and inspiring piano performances will be today, October 17; Starkey's on Magna Carta on Thursday, October 29; and Wax's on her Sane New World on Sunday, November 8.

"All the talks will be followed by Q&A sessions and are bound to be lively," said James Haddrell, the theatre's Artistic & Executive Director. "This programme of talks shows that theatre buildings are special in bringing people together, not just for performances but also as places to share experiences. At a time when more and more leisure activity is driven by the internet, the explosion of television channels available to us, and the potentially isolating social media revolution, opportunities to meet and listen to people sharing their knowledge, their own stories and their views about the world are more special than ever.

"David Starkey will specifically be talking about the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta. He's incredibly popular on television and usually quite controversial, so I think we can expect a stimulating evening."

Ruby Wax is a well-known and popular comedian but not everyone will know that she's got an MA from Oxford University. "She talks very entertainingly but also very insightfully about mental health and how to face the world," said Haddrell.

"James Rhodes went to the Supreme Court and successfully fought an injunction which had previously prevented him talking about his very difficult childhood and the battles he had to overcome. He counts Stephen Fry and Benedict Cumberbatch among his fans and supporters and is an inspirational speaker as well as an incredible pianist."

"We hope with this programme that we will see a range of views of the world from distinctive characters who will inspire people to take a fresh look a their own lives as well as others. We're expecting people who usually come to be entertained by a play or a musical to enjoy these nights, and we're also hoping that people who are naturally drawn to talks like these will cross over and come to our shows as well."

*James Rhodes, Saturday, October 17; David Starkey, Thursday, October 29; Ruby Wax, Sunday, November 8.

For more information, visit www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk.

Funded by Royal Greenwich, Greenwich Theatre is one of London's foremost Off-West End theatres, presenting a year round programme of drama, musicals and family theatre. It is one of the country's leading supporters of young and emerging theatre makers, currently supporting 20 young artists and companies in everything from production and tour management to script development and marketing.

Since launching an artist support programme in 2011, Greenwich Theatre has enabled new theatre-makers to present their work around London and the UK, as well as in Dublin, Madrid and New York.

The Theatre plays a vital role in the cultural life of the local community, running a free open-access teenage choir with funding from Youth Music UK, alongside a programme of adult education provision including older people's performance sessions, puppetry classes and choral theatre training.

The Theatre is also a significant developer and programmer of theatre for children and families, and founder and co-producer of the annual Greenwich Children's Theatre Festival, part of the Royal Greenwich Festivals.

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