The Maltings Theatre and The Jack Studio Theatre present TRESTLE; A bittersweet comic drama about later life, love and community. And bananas.
“We’re not here forever. You’ve got to take a chance from time to time. Sometimes you’ve got to see something you like and grab hold. Don’t let it go.”
Harry feels like life is beginning to tick down, his autumn years spent quietly caring for the community he loves. Denise thinks life begins in retirement and she’s dancing like she’s still at high school. When their paths cross at the village hall, their understanding of the time they have left changes irrevocably. What do community, growing old, and falling in love really mean? And who gets to decide anyway?
TRESTLE is a warm hearted, funny and moving look at two retired people brought together each week as they fold away a trestle table in their community hall.
Winner of the Papatango New Writing Prize, TRESTLE premiered at Southwark Playhouse, London in 2017 and was live streamed from The Maltings Theatre in April 2021 (OnComm award nomination for outstanding online theatre). The production transfers to London for the first time since its premiere under the direction of Off West End Award winner Matthew Parker.
The 2021 production was nominated for 4 OFFIE Awards: Best Production, Best Director (Plays) for Matthew Parker, Lead Performance in a Play: Jilly Bond and Lead Performance in a Play: Timothy Harker.
It was also a Finalist for Best Production at the London Pub Theatre Awards 2021.
Cast
- Denise: Jilly Bond
- Harry: Timothy Harker
Creatives
- Writer: Stewart Pringle
- Producer: The Maltings & The Jack Studio Theatre
- Director & Choreographer: Matthew Parker
- Designer: Simon Nicholas
- Costume: Delga Martineau
- Lighting & Stage Management: Laurel Marks
Matthew Parker’s direction is astute and enables the two characters to build their friendship whilst never touching
In director Matthew Parker’s capable hands (the) details sing and the connection between the actors fizzes from the stage
Touching, funny and completely credible… Matthew Parker has directed it all briskly and lovingly
Quite simply, Trestle is beautiful, moving and full of life. Within a short amount of time I am fully invested in its characters’ lives, loves and experiences
There's plenty of comedy wrought from the oddish couple, with lovely performances to enjoy from Jilly Bond and Timothy Harker, including a bravura dance routine
A bittersweet, believable production
There are some amusing and witty moments in this play that director Parker has brought out in this flowing production
Under the direction of Offie-winning Matthew Parker, Jilly Bond and Timothy Harker give enjoyable performances as the two retired denizens of a small Yorkshire village around which the tenderly comic story revolves
Trestle is beautifully written, and wonderfully performed by Jilly Bond and Timothy Harker under the direction of Matthew Parker
Combined with strong writing, direction and performances, this makes for a thoroughly enjoyable (and slightly emotional) evening of entertainment
