Frome-based professional actors Jack Cray and Hannah Adams are preparing to head off to London with their comedy show, The Chemistry Test, after it was commissioned by one of the West End’s first pub theatres.
The comedy, which will be shown at The Stage Door Theatre on Drury Lane in October, follows the journey of two Artificial Intelligences as they attempt to decode and replicate a romantic connection, with ‘hilariously disastrous’ results.
“Winning a commission in recent years has proven difficult for new theatre work due to funding shortages intensifying the risk versus reward decisions made by venue programmers,” explained Jack, who recently appeared in Fear the Dark at the Frome Festival.
“It took us a while for it to sink in that our work had been chosen to appear in their first ever season. When we rang the producer he said, ‘when I read the script, I thought this is absolutely bonkers, so why not?’”
Hannah has just finished playing a lead role in a new musical based on the life of Beatrix Potter’s brother, Bertie. “We know how competitive it is to get new work commissioned in theatre. That’s multiplied by one hundred when you apply to a venue in London and then again when you’re looking at The West End,” she said.
Joining Jack and Hannah on this creative journey is their esteemed director Reggie, who also happens to be their pet chihuahua.
“The Stage Door Theatre is a dog friendly venue and, as such, a few randomly selected ticket holders will win a meet and greet with Reggie before the show, providing they book before Monday 12th August,” explained Jack. “We approached Reggie for a quote but were quickly overwhelmed by his friendly cuddles and kisses.”
The Chemistry Test is showing at The Stage Door Theatre, above the Prince of Wales Pub on Drury Lane, from 22nd to 26th October at 7.45pm.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.thestagedoortheatre.co.uk, or via the production’s Facebook page ‘The Chemistry Test’. For further information, please contact Jack at jackcray61@gmail.com
