'Rookery Nook' -The Great British Farce At The Menier - Another Hit!

The next production at the Menier Chocolate Factory is to be a very rare revival of a very old Ben Traver's farce by the name of 'Rookery Nook'.



First staged at the Aldwych Theatre in 1926, it is one of those traditional farces so loved by theatre audiences back in the war years.
It had a 2 year run originally and up until the 80s was always being performed at some rep theatre in the UK.
It was last performed in the West End with a very starry cast including Maureen Lipman at the Shaftesbury in 1986. The production got rotten reviews and closed after 9 weeks.
Prior to that it was at Her Majestys Theatre in 1976 with Dora Bryan, again in a very short lived run.

In 1972 it was turned into a musical called 'Popkiss', named after its leading character, Gerald Popkiss.
It opened at the Globe theatre (now The Geilgud) and in the true tradition of the subjects luck, closed after just 65 performances.


Not quit sure why the Menier have chosen such an odd play but maybe time wil tell and it could possibly turn the plays fate around.

I only saw the production at Her Majestys as it one of my favorite actresses in it, Dora Bryan. I remember it was a bit of a chore!

'Rookery Nook' plays 16th April thru 20th June and is directed by Terry -'LaCage Aux Folles'-Johnston.

Updated On: 5/1/09 at 09:27 AM

Thats what I was thinking Bob, a strange choice you agree.
(Menna Trussler did it in rep for John Chilvers at Swansea Grand in 1979!!!)

She as had a great career and her 'Gypsy ' was one of the highlights.
Do you remember how that production of 'Gypsy' got into trouble with the council because they put banner posters all over the front of the theatre reading 'Live Strippers On Stage!' -the dirty mac brigade come in their hundreds but left disappointed lol.

Updated On: 3/10/09 at 09:53 AM

This is a very unknown quantity to do, no doubt the Menier will rub its golden duster over it and it be a huge hit.

Me and My Girl was an old hit and had a very successful revival!

God I remember the Shaftesbury production- but I had totally mixed it up in my mind with the glorious revival of When We Are Married, which I loved.

I've never heard Popkiss as a score- any "hits"?

PS Big digression but who else would like The Tall Guy to be a musical?

Not really Weez, no.
'Dealers Choice' was its only transfer of a non musical production. despite most of its other plays getting OK reviews they were pretty average and soon forgotten.
I'm still tying to puzzle out where they chose 'Rookery Nook'?
Mr Johnston does have a very soft spot for old school English humour/ farce so I guess it was his choice

Dev, both 'Rookery Nook' and When We Were Married' were staged under the 'Theatre Of Comedy banner that produced so many productions of old and new work in the 1980's. 'When We Were Married' played the Whitehall Theatre for 9 months 1986. I also remember that production for the simple reason it was the first time I saw Liz smith on stage.
The Theatre Of Comedy did some great productions like but also some real stinkers like 'An Italian Straw Hat' and the dreadful 'A Friend Indeed'. The nitail play they produced was Ray Cooneys farce ' Run For Your Wife' which he wrote especially for them and then went on to run in the West End for 9 years.
The Shaftesbury was for a long while renamed The Shaftesbury Theatre Of Comedy' but I noticed that they took the last part down when they installed the 'Hairspray' signs 2 years ago.

Updated On: 3/11/09 at 05:52 AM

Slap!!!!

Jeez! Not the most exciting of casts if they want to make a hit of this one! Great to see Lynda Baron back on stage but thats about it.

The Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/5251904/Rookery-Nook-Menier-Chocolate-Factory-review.html

The FT
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/f36362fe-35a5-11de-a997-00144feabdc0.html

This will be in the West End before the end of summer I'm sure.
It could even follow 'a Little Nigh Music' into the Garrick if its planned extension doesn't happen.

The amazing Lynda Baron alone will be worth the ticket price!

Updated On: 5/1/09 at 06:57 AM

Cor Blimey Guv'nor...

Neil Stuke
Edward Baker Duly and
Mark Hadfield as well.

And, yes, I can see where they're going with the idea of a golf club being hidden down someone's trousers.

Updated On: 5/2/09 at 11:43 AM