NIGEL SLATER'S TOAST
by Nigel Slater, dramatised by Henry Filloux-Bennett
PRODUCTIONS
Rob Kendall (Dad), Gena McCrystal (waitress), Jem Clack (Nigel) and Georgina Pearson (Mum). Photo: Ben Frazer
Tue 28 March - Sat 1 April 2023 at 7.30pm
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Sheep Street, Northampton NN1 3NL
CAST & CREW
Nigel Jem Clack
Georgina Pearson Mum, Janice, Mrs E, Ad 2, Miss A, Doreen
Rob Kendall Dad, Savoy Chef
Gena McCrystal Waitress, Flinch 2, Peggy, Aunt Elvie, Joan
Ben Harnaman Josh, Flinch 1, Warrel, Uncle Len, Ad 1, Sam, Stuart
Director Ben Knight
Stage Manager Clare Brittain
Sound & Lighting Robert Vaughan
Set Design & Construction Mark Mortimer
Costumes Pam Mann
Properties Rob Kendall
Radish provider Maggie Holland
Poster & programme cover Meryl Couper
Programme Barbara Floyer
Website Martin Borley-Cox
Booking Manager Elizabeth Allan
Box Office Sue Howes
Hospitality Manager Maggie Holland
Front of House & Refreshments Masque Theatre members
Photo gallery
Review
Paul Warren-Roberts
This well written account of Nigel Slater's early life, his family background and his ultimate love of cooking was immediately established from excellent direction by Ben Knight.
The young Slater, as performed by Jem Clack, was imaginative, energetic and totally believable.
Georgina Pearson, Gena McCrystal, Rob Kendall and Ben Harnaman completed the cast. All actors are seasoned performers, with the exception of Ben Harnaman, and with good direction it was clear that each actor was well equipped and at ease in their multiple roles, each entering and exiting seamlessly with their cooking products or other accessories.
A perfect, controlled performance from Georgina Pearson as the mother, as with Gina McCrystal in their many roles and a perfect stern father by Rob Kendall trying hard to get the boy Slater to act more like a 'man'.
Ben Harnaman's gardener and other roles also spot on. No weak link.
The very clever staging worked well for this production, the director moving his cast in the acting area to its fullest despite there only being a small permanent constructed set. It would be interesting to see this performed on a proscenium stage.
A well performed and directed performance, excellent stage management and sound throughout. Performing in the round and the constraints of a large area and height and actors not understanding the necessity for good projection can provide problems however, compliments to the direction, the actors' perfect projection, no sight lines or sound problems.
In this play it is essential that every word is heard in order to appreciate Slater's early life problems at home, his relationship with his father, his early life in the kitchen with his mother and ultimate love of cooking and most importantly his adult sexuality. A perfect production.
Compliments to the Masque Theatre, director, cast and all involved. A thoroughly enjoyable evening entertainment.
Ben Harnaman (Josh) and Jem Clack (Nigel). Photo: Ben Frazer
Preview
Ben Knight | director
The story is told through the tastes and smells that Nigel grew up with, from making the perfect sherry trifle to waging a war over cakes.
Five actors (3 male/2 female) take on this bold, physical and fluid interpretation of Nigel Slater’s ‘Toast’ playing a total of 25 characters as this award winning biographical play which charts Nigel growing up in the 1960s and 70s.
Nigel Slater is well known for nearly 20 cookbooks published since 1992. He's also appeared in TV series such as Nigel Slater's Real Food Show on Channel 4 in 1998 and A Taste of My Life on BBC One in 2006. His autobiography Toast was published in 2004 and became a best-seller. It was turned into a drama, starring Freddie Highmore and Helena Bonham Carter in 2010 and broadcast on BBC One. This stage version was commissioned by The Lowry in Salford in 2018.
Masque Theatre's production is directed by Ben Knight
