• Joanna Murray Smith

    16 Jul 2008

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    Before it has even opened, new comedy The Female Of The Species has hit the headlines care of an outburst from Germaine Greer. Matthew Amer talks to playwright Joanna Murray Smith and finds there is more to her than feminist baiting. Read more


The Female Of The Species

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Showing at: Vaudeville Theatre

Box Office: 0844 412 4663

Age: General

Genre: Play

Sub Genre: Comedy

Dame Eileen Atkins plays a feminist literary giant taken hostage by a fan with a grudge in farcical new comedy, The Female Of The Species.

Margot Mason is on a deadline. When an uninvited fan arrives unexpectedly at her home, followed by her family and friends, Margot's feminist world begins to spiral hilariously out of control.

Atkins's previous stage work includes The Sea, There Came A Gypsy Riding and Honour, in which she starred opposite her The Female Of The Species co-star Anna Maxwell Martin. On screen, her film credits include Cold Mountain, The Hours and Gosford Park, while on television she starred opposite Judi Dench in Cranford.

Maxwell Martin is one of British theatre's brightest talents, appearing recently in productions such as Cabaret, His Dark Materials and The Coast Of Utopia. Television credits include Poppy Shakespeare, Bleak House and North And South.

The Female Of The Species playwright Joanna Murray Smith is arguably Australia's leading playwright. Her work was first seen in London when the National Theatre staged Honour in 2003. Subsequently Murray Smith has Bombshells staged at the Arts in 2004 and Scenes From A Marriage produced at the Belgrade theatre, Coventry earlier this year.

For more about The Female Of The Species read the First Night Feature or The Big Interview with Joanna Murray Smith.

 

Performance Details

  • previews from: 10 Jul 2008
  • opening night: 16 Jul 2008
  • closing: 04 Oct 2008

show times: Tue-Sat 19:30, mats Wed & Sat 14:30

ticket prices: £22.50-£47.50

duration: 1h30

 

cast: Eileen Atkins, Paul Chahidi, Anna Maxwell Martin, Con O'Neill, Sophie Thompson, Sam Kelly

author: Joanna Murray-Smith

director: Roger Mitchell

sound: Matt McKenzie

lighting designer: James Whiteside

designer: Mark Thompson

producer: David Richenthal, Mary Beth O'Connor, Nica Burns and Max Weitzenhoffer

 

map: View Map

address: Strand, London, United Kingdom, WC2R 0NH

nearest tube: Charing Cross (200m) Embankment (300m)

nearest bus: 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 68, 7A, 91, 139, 176

nearest train: Charing Cross (100m)

parking: Westminter City Council car park at Spring Gardens (Trafalgar Square). NCP at Drury Lane.

air conditioned: Yes

 

Assisted Performance Booking Information

Access Booking: Tel: 020 7836 7969

Accessible Facilities Venue Information

discounts: Discounts are available for all disabled theatregoers and their companions, but vary depending on the current production.

limited mobility: Stall aisle seats and boxes have the most leg room. Book early if you wish to sit in these seats.

access description: There is a step of approx. 5cm then 2 sets of double doors opening into the foyer. Box Office counter on right. Staircases are all highlighted and have handrails on both sides. Stalls are 6 steps down from the foyer. 27 steps up to the Dress Circle (3 steps between rows). Upper Circle 54 steps up from foyer, though very narrow. Auditorium open 30 mins before performance.

hearing impaired: No facilities at present.

guide dogs policy: Guide dogs are allowed in the auditorium and boxes and staff can dog-sit at foyer cloakroom or management office by prior arrangement with the management.

wheelchairs: There are no spaces for wheelchair users in the auditorium and you are asked not to bring a motorised wheelchair. Transfer seating available to any aisle seat on left-hand side of Stalls – down 6 steps from foyer. Alternatively, access the Dress Circle through a side EXIT door on Lumley Court. Please notify a member of staff at the Box Office if you wish to use this entrance. No access to toilets from this level. 1 shallow step immediately inside door and 2 further steps to the left to row A. Box C up 2 fairly steep steps to the right, 74cm in width. Entrance to the box is 56cm wide – so it would be necessary to transfer to a moveable seat inside the Box from this entrance. The theatre is licensed to accommodate 2 wheelchair users per performance. Wheelchair users must bring a non-disabled companion.

toilets: Women’s 6 steps down from foyer, through 56cm wide door with cubicles. Men’s urinals 12 steps up from foyer. Men’s toilets 25 steps up from foyer.

disabled toilets: Adapted toilets to the right of the Stalls entrance.

legroom: Access guides available on request.

bars: Drinks brought to disabled customers in the auditorium. Dress Circle bar 22 steps up from the foyer with moveable seats. Further bar at Upper Circle level.

Dame Eileen Atkins stars in The Female Of The Species (photo: Manuel Harlan)

Dame Eileen Atkins stars in The Female Of The Species (photo: Manuel Harlan)

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