Stephen Fry To Play God In Patrick Barlow's STAR CHILD

Patrick Barlow has written and will direct Star Child in aid of The Art Room Charity for one night only at The Almeida Theatre on Sunday 5 December 2010 at 7pm.

By turns hilarious and heart-rending, Star Child is a nativity play like no other. Woven through with myths and beliefs from many cultures, Barlow's play upends the traditional Christmas tale and retells it as a story relevant for now. Mary doesn't want the baby, the holy star goes awol, there's a talking donkey, an over-excited midwife, three wise women and a shepherd with an angel-obsession. Not to mention a disgruntled God who wakes in the nick of time to see the earth facing disaster and a Herod who wages war on the world's children. Star Child is a tale for our times, certain to challenge, move and inspire.

The cast includes Stephen Fry, Henry Goodman, Stephen Mangan, the Marquez Brothers, Natascha McElhone, Bill Paterson, Maggie Steed, Juliet Stevenson, Catherine Tate and Olivia Williams who are accompanied by musicians and children's choir. The Art Room is a charity offering art as therapy to children and young people aged 5-16 who may be at risk of exclusion from school. Employing Psychotherapists, Teachers and Artists, Art is used to raise the young people's self-esteem, self confidence and independence.

Patrick Barlow is Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Brent. His award-winning adaptation of John Buchan's 39 Steps is currently playing in the West End, Broadway and over twenty-eight countries.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Date Sunday 5 December 2010

Door open 6pm, Performance 7.00pm, Reception 8.30pm

Address Almeida Theatre, Almeida Street, Islington, London, N1 1TA

Phone 020 7359 4404 (24 hour) On line www.almeida.co.uk

Tickets £75 (includes a post show champagne reception)

Website www.theartroom.org.uk www.almeida.co.uk

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