The show was live streamed The Maltings Theatre auditorium on 27 March and available online until 10 April.
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 now came to The Maltings Theatre as part of the Spring Streaming Season under the direction of Off West End Award winner Matthew Parker who returns to direct for OVO following his ★★★★★ debut with HENRY V.
The production was nominated for an OnComm Award, celebrating excellence in online theatre.
Cast
- Denise: Jilly Bond
- Harry: Chris Pickles
Creatives
- Writer: Stewart Pringle
- Director: Matthew Parker
- Producer: OVO Theatre
- Designer: Simon Nicholas
- Costume: Delga Martineau
- Lighting & Sound: Adam Bottomley
“The play is greatly helped by the light touch direction of Matthew Parker, who lets the play speak for itself”
“First performed at Southwark Playhouse in 2017, and revived by director Matthew Parker as part of the Maltings Theatre’s live-stream season”
“Structurally, the succession of short scenes essentially made up of small talk might not seem so complex but the beauty in the dialogue and particularly through Parker’s direction of it here, is that there is just so, so much unsaid.”
“Two experienced actors – bouncing off each other with sensitivity and conviction… Matthew Parker’s direction is thoughtful”
