-
It’s the early 1960’s. Charlie and Harry are hairdressers in Brixton and have been together for 20 years. Quick humour and dreams keep them afloat but same-sex relationships are illegal and Charlie has been arrested in a pub while sitting on a man’s knee. Simmering underneath the banter and hilarious mockery, Charlie anxiously awaits a court summons and Harry has his own troubles – his hair is rapidly falling out, a disaster for a hairdresser.
Running through this laugh-out loud comedy is the sadness of those unable to live openly because the law and the public condemn them to an undercover life. Change may be in the air but, for these two, it might as well be a hundred years away. Staircase is a clarion call for a more accepting and generous society; for a world where people can be who they are in their hearts; where love is love and that love is championed in all its forms.
Staircase is supported by the Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation and the John S. Cohen Foundation.
“Stylish, witty and worthy of view. Fabulous!” Boyz
“The acting is executed with a brilliant and intelligent understanding of the characters’ dilemma.” The Spectator
“Evocation of those ancient shames and crushing minority lonelinesses reminds us why Pride marches were needed and still are.. Southwark is always, always worth the trip.” Theatre Cat
“A first-rate revival of a play that with its ostensible shock-value in aspic, reveals subversions and a clever structure so unsettling we should all look in the mirror and wince.” Fringe Review
“Staircase is a salutary reminder of our recent history. Not to be missed!” LGBT Poet Laureate
Recommended for those aged 14+.
-
Creative Team
Director
Tricia ThornsSet Designer
Alex MarkerCostume Designer
Emily StuartLighting Designer
Neill BrinkworthSound Designer
Dominic BilkeyProducer
Graham CowleyPoster Design
Jon BradfieldPoster Photography
Philip GammonCast
Paul Rider
John Sackville -
Production Photos by Phil Gammon
-
Covid FAQs
What extra measures do you have in place?We are strongly encouraging mask-wearing and have increased cleaning of our communal and front of house areas. This includes anti-bacterial fogging of seats and touch points. We have hand sanitising stations at regular intervals through the building.
We will not be using paper tickets, instead just requiring audience members to show us their confirmation email (one per booking) either on their phone or via a print-out if that’s easier.
We are not enforcing social distancing in the theatre or bar.
What happens on the day?We recommend arriving for your performance at least twenty minutes before it’s scheduled to start.
We will be opening the house and beginning audience entry half an hour before the show.
There will be many hand sanitizing points throughout the building for you to use.
When you reach the front of the queue you will be asked for your full name and transaction reference, which is a six-digit number noted in your confirmation email. If you don’t have a smartphone to display this info on, please make a note of it elsewhere. There are no paper tickets or e-tickets for this show – instead we will be checking you in off a list of bookings.
On your way into the theatre you’ll be able to order a drink (card payments only.) This will be delivered to you at your seat.
At the end of the show, you will be led out by a member of staff through the backstage area, rather than the bar, to keep the one-way system in place. You are then more than welcome to come back in through the front door to join us for a post-show drink in our socially-distanced bar.
How will the cast be socially distancing or will they be in each other’s ‘bubble’?Cast members are in the same bubble, which allows for the production to go ahead without social distancing. The company (director, stage management, technical team) are operating around the venue with strict social distancing measures.
What happens if the show cannot go ahead?We will be operating under government advice, so if we are unable to continue performances, we will of course be issuing full refunds to all bookers. On 22 February it was announced that live indoor theatre can go ahead with social distancing from 17 May which is great news but, of course, we will be closely monitoring government advice in case that changes.
If we find that we are unable to go ahead with the performance, we will contact you as soon as possible via email. Please make sure that we have your most up to date contact information, so you don’t miss anything.
What will happen if I book tickets but then have to self-isolate or have symptoms?If you have to self-isolate or have symptoms then we will refund your tickets. You should not attend the theatre. Please email or call to let us know and we will issue a direct refund.
Can I sit with friends?You can sit with people who are in your bubble or household. Please only book tickets with people who you are living with or have formed a support bubble with. If you are not in the same household or bubble then we ask that you book tickets separately so that you have a perspex/see-through screen between you when you are in the auditorium and maintain at least 1m distance during your visit.
I am coming on my own. Can I buy a single ticket?Of course! You can do this via the website as usual. This just means that you will have a perspex/see-through screen on either side of you.
I am in a wheelchair. Can I still come to the newly configured auditorium?Yes, definitely. We have wheelchair spaces which you can book in the usual way online or you can give us a call on 020 7407 0234 and we will sort your booking for you.
Do I have to wear a mask?Yes, we ask all audience members to wear a mask. The exception is if you can’t wear a mask for health reasons in which case you should download and print a card here to explain to anyone who asks why you are not wearing one. Because government advice around wearing masks may change we will include a ‘current advice email’ 24 hours before performances and will update our website with information on the day too.
We know some of you don’t use email or have a smart phone – if this is the case then please give us a ring to let us know and we’ll arrange for someone to call you the day before your visit to advise on current government guidance and how it relates to your visit to the Playhouse.
Can I order a drink?Yes – we will be taking drinks orders from you in the queue to go in, and delivering them to your seat.
What’s the sitch with returns?We are not selling returns – we won’t be selling any tickets on the door, and will be stopping ticket sales for the day at 5pm (or 12.30pm for matinees.) If a show is sold out the best thing to do is keep checking the website to see if any seats open up.
If you need to return your ticket due to self-isolating or local lockdowns, give us a ring on 020 7407 0234 and we’ll give you a refund. Otherwise, our normal refund/transfer policy applies.Will your toilets be open?Yes, our toilets will be open before, during and after your visit to us. You will notice that there will be fewer cubicles – this is for social distancing purposes. To avoid congestion toilets will remain open throughout the performance and audience members will be permitted to leave the theatre and re-enter at any point.
Will the bar be open as usual on performance days?Yes – the bar is open from 2 hours before the first show of the day, so 5.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 1pm on Tuesday and Saturday.
There will be table service in place and we’ll be asking patrons to only sit with people in their household/bubble. You can book a table by clicking here.
How should I travel to you?You can travel to us however you like but if you are coming via public transport we ask that you wear a mask (unless you are exempt). There is a bicycle rack outside the theatre if you are cycling. Unfortunately we do not have a car park but there is an NCP car park 10 mins walk away on Kipling Street. There is information on that here. If you’re coming by Uber or taxi, you can be dropped off right outside the front of the theatre on Newington Causeway.
How often do you clean the space and toilets?We already have a strict cleaning schedule in place for our bar and front of house areas, including The Little theatre space. This will be extended to include a deep cleaning of The Large theatre space before and after every single performance including wiping down seats and spraying them daily with a special anti-bacterial spray which remains active on upholstery between 5-7 days (your seat will remain dry though!). Toilets are cleaned regularly every 2-3 hours and deep cleaned every evening after the show and every morning/afternoon before the show. We have a full risk assessment which we will share on the website nearer the time and also have copies of in the venue.
I have a question that you haven’t answered. How can I ask it?No problem! Just email one of our friendly box office wizards on boxoffice@southwarkplayhouse.co.uk and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.