SPARKS Opens Next Month at Old Red Lion Theatre
It's raining in the Midlands. Again. It won't stop. Someone's standing in it. They're shivering. They're cold. They're waiting for someone they haven't seen in a very long time. They've got a rucksack full of alcohol. And a fish.
A brand new play about abandoned responsibilities, what we choose to remember and what we thought we'd forgotten, Sparks is by turns hilarious and deeply moving.
Sparks is an explosive world premiere by Simon Longman, winner of the Channel 4 Playwright's Scheme and recent writer in residence at Pentabus Theatre. His most recent production Milked gained critical success at the Soho Theatre and on national tour.
Sparks reunites Simon with director Clive Judd after their earlier award-winning collaboration, Why I Don't Like the Sea. For Clive, Sparks follows his acclaimed revival of David Halliwell's Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs at the Southwark Playhouse and the world premiere of Rob Hayes's This Will End Badly at the Edinburgh Fringe. Clive previously directed the much-celebrated production of Captain Amazing by Alistair McDowall. He has recently worked on projects with the Live Theatre in Newcastle, Pentabus Theatre and the Birmingham REP.
The leading roles of Jess and Sarah will be played by Sally Hodgkiss and Sophie Steer, with each actor rehearsing both parts and performing them on alternate nights. We think it's going to be very exciting to see what each of our brilliant performers brings to two very different characters, and for that reason there will be a second press night on Friday 13th November to enable critics to see the production both ways round if they wish - or indeed for anyone who is simply unable to attend on the Thursday.
Venue: Old Red Lion Theatre, Islington
Performance Dates: 10th November-5th December
Main Press Night: Thursday 12th November
Additional Press Night: Friday 13th November
Videos
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G4 Christmas 2026 - Westminster Central Hall Central Hall Westminster (12/11-12/11) |
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G4 Christmas 2026 - Norwich Cathedral Norwich Cathedral (12/17-12/17) |
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10cc's Graham Gouldman at Cadogan Hall - London Cadogan Hall (10/29-10/29) |
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Watford Philharmonic Society Orchestral Concert 2026 St Luke's Church (6/20-6/20) |
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That'll Be The Day Corn Exchange Theatre (6/10-6/10) |
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Count Arthur Strong - And it''s Goodnight from Me! King's Hall (4/21-4/21) |
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The 1960s Variety Talent Show with The Zoots The Princess Theatre and Arts Centre (9/12-9/12) |
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Sophie Duker and Cecily Hitchcock (Work in Progress) Tabard Theatre (6/01-6/01) |
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Fawlty Towers Weekend 06/06/2026 Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel (6/06-6/07) |
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Disney''s Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert - Live to Film Bradford Live (12/01-12/01) |
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