A HAMPSTEAD THEATRE WORLD PREMIERE
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD
By Richard Bean
Directed by Richard Wilson & Terry Johnson
Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes with an interval
He talks about going to Switzerland, to that place where you pay them to kill you… And I say “go! It’ll do you good. Broaden your horizons…you’ve never been abroad!
Main Stage
26 Oct - 25 Nov 2023
Box Office: 020 7722 9301
★★★★ 'entertaining, poignant' The Telegraph
★★★★ 'moving' 'bittersweet comedy' Daily Mail
After sixty years of marriage, happily settled into their retirement village in Yorkshire, Jack and Florence have elevated bickering almost to the status of high art. That said, they’re otherwise getting along fine with the support of a cousin and the hilarious interventions of the man known locally as ‘Rhubarb Eddie’. But will their anxious son, shuttling between London and LA, and their errant daughter, contemplating a move to Australia, leave them to live out their days in peace?
Richard Bean’s uproarious new comedy tackles the prickly problem of dealing with ageing parents who just don’t want to be dealt with! Writer of the international smash-hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors, Bean returns to Hampstead after successes with Kiss Me and In the Club. Work elsewhere includes Jack Absolute Flies Again (National Theatre), Young Marx (Bridge) and Made in Dagenham, The Musical (Adelphi).
Richard Wilson (Peggy For You) and Terry Johnson (Prism) both return to Hampstead Theatre to co-direct this production.
To Have and To Hold is a Hampstead Theatre Next Decade commission.
We are grateful to Ken and Lin Craig for kindly supporting this production.
Artistic team
WRITER
RICHARD BEAN
Co-DIRECTORs
RICHARD WILSON & TERRY JOHNSON
DESIGNER
JAMES COTTERILL
LIGHTING
BETHANY GUPWELL
SOUND
JOHN LEONARD
CASTING
ROBERT STERNE CDG
ASSISTANT DIRECTORS
JOS VANTYLER & CHARLOTTE CONQUEST
COMPANY STAGE MANAGER
MICHAEL DENNIS
DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER
DAVID PURDIE-SMITH
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
BENEDICT RATTRAY
Cast
JACK
ALUN ARMSTRONG
FLORENCE
MARION BAILEY
PAMELA
RACHEL DALE
TINA
HERMIONE GULLIFORD
ROB
CHRISTOPHER FULFORD
EDDIE
ADRIAN HOOD
LISTEN TO LAUREN GUNDERSON ON BBC RADIO 4’S START THE WEEK
Playwright Lauren Gunderson spoke to BBC Radio 4 Start The Week’s about interrogating our relationship with Artificial Intelligence in her new play anthropology, which opened on the Main Stage on 7 September.
A CUP OF TEA WITH EWAN MILLER
We caught up with actor Ewan Miller to talk acting highlights, dream roles, and Octopolis, which runs Downstairs until 28 October.
NINETEEN GARDENS CASTING ANNOUNCED
Magdalena Miecznicka is set to make her playwriting debut at Hampstead Theatre with Nineteen Gardens, an intimate two-hander directed by Alice Hamilton and starring Olivia Le Andersen and David Sturzaker.
PLAQUE HONOURING THE FOUNDER OF HAMPSTEAD THEATRE UNVEILED
A plaque honouring the inspirational founder of Hampstead Theatre has been unveiled at the theatre in north London.
COMPETITION: WIN TWO AND A PAIR OF TICKETS FOR TO HAVE TO HOLD
Coming to see anthropology? You can be in with a chance to win tickets to our next Main Stage show
HAMPSTEAD THEATRE ANNOUNCES FULL SEASON OF EIGHT NEW PRODUCTIONS
Hampstead Theatre today announces a full season of eight new productions beginning on 7 September 2023 and running until 16 March 2024.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH INTERVIEWS GREG RIPLEY-DUGGAN
When funding was withdrawn, all seemed lost for the off-West End venue – but now star names are stepping in to save it.
A limited number of £10 tickets will be released at a later date.
Previews
Full Price: £25/£35/£45
Under 30s/Students: £10
Access ½ price
Groups: For every 9 tickets get the 10th free
*Ages 60+
Monday – Saturday
Full price: £35/£45/£55
Under 30s/Students: £10
Access ½ price
Seniors*: (matinees only): £26/£36/£46
Groups: For every 9 tickets get the 10th free
All prices are subject to change. Book early for the best price.
CONTENT WARNINGS - to have and to hold
This production contains strong language.
Minor references to suicide, murder and bereavement.
Please note that our content warnings evolve as the production does throughout rehearsal and previews, so there may be changes made between booking and attending the theatre. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about specific themes or concerns, please call the Box Office on 020 7722 9301 or email boxoffice@hampsteadtheatre.com