What’s on at Hampstead Theatre
Free tickets for ‘big, ambitious, heart on the sleeve’ Canary

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and Beautiful Thing writer Jonathan Harvey makes his triumphant return to the stage with Canary, opening at Hampstead Theatre on 19 May. ‘A big, ambitious heart on the sleeve play that really sings.’ – Lyn Gardner

In 1960s Liverpool, two lovers hide in the closet, then are forced to go their separate ways.

While pits close and dole queues grow, a couple of runaways find Heaven in 1980s London.

In 2010, despite civil partnerships and an equal age of consent, the paparazzi chase a love story that could tear a family apart.

Laced with surreal touches and pitch-black humour, Canary is an unflinching story about love, honesty, and being brave enough to sing out.

Jonathan Harvey is a multi award-winning writer who established his reputation with Beautiful Thing, his play-turned-film for which he received an Olivier Award nomination and the John Whiting Award. Hampstead Theatre premiered his plays Out in the Open and Swan Song. As a screen writer, his credits include Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, Coronation Street, and the recent cult series Beautiful People.

Contains scenes and images of a sexual nature, nudity and adult language.

Andersen’s English
Until 8 May

Celebrated children’s writer Hans Christian Andersen arrives, unannounced, for a stay at Gad’s Hill Place in the Kent marshes – home to Charles Dickens and his large, charismatic family.

To the lonely and eccentric guest, the members of Dickens’ household seem to live a life of unreachable bliss. But with his broken English, Andersen doesn’t at first see the storms brewing within the family: undeclared passions, a son sent to fight in India, and a growing strangeness at the heart of Dickens’ marriage.

Andersen’s English is a haunting new play, rich in characters and touched with a wistful humour.

Max Stafford-Clark directs a cast including Niamh Cusack (Heartbeat, Always and Everyone), David Rintoul (Pride and Prejudice) and Danny Sapani (Out of Joint’s world touring Macbeth).

Box Office: 020 7722 9301 / www.hampsteadtheatre.com

Where we are

Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 3EU

How to get here

Tube: Swiss Cottage or Finchley Road. Train: Silverlink Metro to Finchley Road and Frognal or South Hampstead. Bus: C11, 13, 31, 46, 82, 113, 187 and 268.