2-25 September
Sex, power and consent will be in abundance in the first of this autumn’s theatre highlights at Rose Theatre Kingston. Leopards are an original Rose production and will get its world premiere on 2 September. An exciting cast with Martin Marquez and Saffron Coomber star in Kingston until 25 September.
And it’s worth making a note in your diary about The Seven Pomegranate Seeds, also a Rose Theatre original production, which is on from 4 to 20 November.
Alys Metcalf’s Leopards also opens Artistic Director Christopher Haydon’s inaugural season at Rose Theatre. There is much to look forward to this autumn at Rose Theatre.
Our Editor went to see Leopards during the first week: “I was gripped by the intense duologue right from the start. Niala was brilliantly played by Saffron Coomber and the same must be said by Martin Martiquez’ performance as Ben. I’m not able to say much more without giving it away so you will just have to go and see it yourself!”
Introducing Martin Marques
Martin can list impressive stage work from a number of well known theatres including the Donmar Warehouse, The National and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. He most recently starred as Nathan Detroit in Sheffield Theatre’s production of Guys & Dolls and in Josie Rourke’s revival of Sweet Charity at the Donmar playing Vittorio Vidal. Prior to this, Martin appeared in the UK tours of Still Alice and Headlong’s This House. Martin is perhaps best known for his role as Gino Primirola in the BBC comedy drama Hotel Babylon and as Paul in the sitcom The Job Lot. Lately, he has appeared in the E4 comedy Dead Pixels, series 2 of The Crown and the BBC’s Decline and Fall.
Introducing Saffron Coomber
Saffron’s recent theatre credits include Emilia (West End), for which she was nominated for ‘Best West-End Debut’ at The Stage Debut Awards 2019, Sonnet Sunday (Globe) and A New and Better You (Yard Theatre). Her television credits include: Small Axe (BBC/Amazon), The Deceived (Channel 5), Strike: Lethal White (BBC), EastEnders (BBC), Holby City (BBC) and as Sapphire Fox in Tracy Beaker: Series 1 – 3 (BBC). Films include Electricity (Stone City Films) and Dustbin Baby (BBC). Most recently, Saffron appeared in the live-streamed production of A Cold Supper Behind Harrods, alongside David Jason, Stephanie Cole and Anton Lesser.
What’s it about?
Sex, power and consent – can we ever atone for the sins of our past? When Niala arranges to meet celebrated charity leader Ben in the bar of a London hotel for career advice, their evening unfolds into something far less professional. As the weather closes in and secrets start to surface, the consequences of their choices leave them nowhere to hide. Leopards is a new play about the image we construct of ourselves and explores what it truly means to be good.
Writer Alys Metcalf
Alys Metcalf’s other plays include You Only Live Forever at Soho Theatre, Reel Life at Ustinov Studio Theatre Royal Bath and Unearthed, which was chosen as one of the Guardian Readers’ Favourite Plays of 2015 and played the Arcola and a UK Tour. She is currently developing several films and TV sitcoms and dramas, and is a member of the BBC Comedy Room
Director Christopher Haydon
Leopards is directed by Christopher Haydon, designed by Lily Arnold, with sound design by Gareth Fry and lighting design by Colin Grenfell. Asha Jennings-Grant is the intimacy director and Amber Sinclair-Case the assistant director.
Leopards is produced by Rose Theatre together with the Olivier Award-winning Francesca Moody Productions, who brought us the must loved Fleabag and also Baby Reindeer and Shedinburgh, in association with Emmy Award-winner Kater Gordon (Mad Men) and Popcorn Group. Christopher Haydon makes his Rose directorial debut.
Please note: The theatre has made the decision, in the interest of audience safety and comfort, to keep audiences socially distanced for both plays, until further notice.
https://www.rosetheatre.org/whats-on/leopards
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You may also enjoy reading more about this autumn art and culture in our What’s On section
