The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Star returns to the stage in live show from London venue
Andrew Scott stars in a new play written for him which is being livestreamed from the Old Vic in London. Three Kings by Stephen Beresford will be presented on the theatre’s stage for five performances only from September 3 to 5 with the empty auditorium as a backdrop.
The play tells of Patrick, who is eight years old when his absent father returns unexpectedly. In a brief but memorable encounter, he sets Patrick the challenge of The Three Kings.
Years later, recalling that meeting and the revelations that followed, Patrick traces the events of his father’s life, taking the audience on a journey of grandiose plans, aching disappointments and audacious self delusion.
By turns, comical and heartbreaking, Three Kings is about fathers and sons, the gifts and burdens of inheritance, and the unfathomable puzzle of human relationships.
Andrew Scott rose to fame in his role as Moriarty in the hit BBC One show Sherlock. He further endeared himself to the nation as the ‘hot priest’ in the second series of the BBC comedy drama Fleabag. Scott’s stage work has been widely acclaimed.
Artistic director Matthew Warchus said: “I am hugely grateful to Stephen for writing this play specially for the Old Vic: In Camera series and to Andrew for agreeing to perform it.
“Their generous support of The Old Vic at this critical time and their spirit of adventure in joining us in this crucial fundraising experiment is enormously appreciated.”
Old Vic: In Camera is both a bold creative experiment and also crucial in raising funds for the much-loved venue for its audiences, surrounding schools and communities, staff, crew and its myriad writers and performers now the theatre’s usual streams of revenue have dried up.
Tickets are priced from £10 to £40. A limited number will be available at each price band and whilst all ‘seats’ offer the same view - from the comfort of your own home - the theatre is asking audiences to give what they can to help support the theatre in return for access to this tunique experience.
Those planning to watch together on the same device only need to book a single ticket and the organisers are encouraging group bookers to consider chipping in together to buy a single ticket to support The Old Vic.
The theatre is an independent registered charity in receipt of no regular public subsidy that has thrived pioneering a model of selfsustainability in the arts. It contributes artistically to the cultural life of the nation whilst also delivering flagship education and community programmes to 10,000 young people each year. Significant support is urgently needed if it is to emerge from this crisis still able to provide entertainment and social benefits from the historic building, which has been a beacon of creative adventure for over two centuries.
A spokesperson said: “We hope that audiences will join with creatives to support this new series and feel excited to be part of a live theatre community once again.”
Visit oldvictheatre.com to book or for more information about the show.