Show Archive: The Knowledge

  1. Home
  2. Show Archive
  3. The Knowledge
The Knowledge
Set against the backdrop of the harsh economic times of 1979, The Knowledge is based on the iconic 1979 TV film comedy, written by Jack Rosenthal, and follows the hilarious struggles of four Londoners as they attempt to better themselves by attempting the fearsome “Knowledge” - the process of becoming a London black cab driver. Standing between them and the coveted Green Badge is the eccentric Mr. Burgess, the examiner. Also known as “The Vampire”, he is on an obsessive mission to maintain standards.

The Knowledge cast includes of Steven Pacey as Mr Burgess, Celine Abrahams as Brenda, James Alexandrou Gordon, Jenna Augen as Val, Louise Callaghan as Miss Staveley, Ben Caplan as Ted, Michael Chance as Arab Tourist, Alice Felgate as Janet and Fabien Frankel as Chris.

Acclaimed actress and writer Maureen Lipman is to direct this world stage premiere. The rest of the creative team is made up of Nicolai Hart-Hansen (Set Design), Jonathan Lipman (Costume Design),  Leigh Porter (Lighting Design) and Andrew Johnson (Sound Design).


The Knowledge "has a period charm and authenticity that makes it worth hailing... director Maureen Lipman keeps the engine ticking over nicely & there's a fab debut from Fabien Frankel."
Georgina Brown, The Mail on Sunday 

"Fine ensemble acting, it's an enjoyable ride"
The Sunday Times

“The play retains the wit and lightness of Rosenthal’s writing”
The Guardian

★★★★ 
"Jack Rosenthal’s well-loved film has been adapted by Simon Black into theatrical shape and retains all the dry gentle wit, empathy and humane sweetness of the man. It isn’t a storming, life-changing play, but it is an honest slice of life and in the second hour, surprisingly satisfying. I was going to take the Tube afterwards, but took a cab instead. In tribute."
Libby Purves, Theatre Cat
 
"A period piece, given a charming new lease of life in Maureen Lipman's well-acted, rather delightful production"
 Paul Taylor in The Independent

★★★★ 
"The whole - often hilarious - evening moves along at a terrific pace, it's a fine, funny night in the theatre, and a touching requiem for a London that sadly feels long gone"
Whatsonstage

★★★★★
"A riveting celebration of London and the legendary institution that are black cabs"
Theatrebubble
 
★★★★★
"Simon Block’s beautifully smooth stage adaptation of Jack Rosenthal’s 1979 television masterpiece. Steven Pacey’s Mr Burgess has to be an Olivier Award candidate. He alone is worth the ticket price."
Theatre Monkey
 
"Enjoyable and pioignant, this is a play not just about 'The Knowledge' but about wisdom and self-knowledge — possibly even harder to acquire."
The Financial Times

"An enjoyable tribute both to the talents of its creator and a section of the workforce we too often take for granted"
Time Out
 

The whole - often hilarious - evening moves along at a terrific pace, it's a fine, funny night in the theatre, and a touching requiem for a London that sadly feels long gone

Whatsonstage ★★★★

A gorgeous period piece - if you love Seventies culture, you’ll love this show

Jonathan Baz ★★★★

With Uber cars and rickshaws clogging streets of London, this production is timely

Broadway World ★★★★

Simon Block’s beautifully smooth stage adaptation of Jack Rosenthal’s 1979 television masterpiece

Theatre Monkey ★★★★★

A great comic evening out. Hail it while you can!

Spy in the Stalls ★★★★★

An honest slice of life and in the second hour, surprisingly satisfying. I was going to take the Tube afterwards, but took a cab instead. In tribute

Theatre Cat ★★★★

Well-acted, rather delightful production

The Independent

Now Playing

Stiletto

Book Now
Stiletto
In Italy during the 18th century, an average of 5,000 boys were castrated annually. Almost exclusively, they came from poor families. Their treble voices intact, castration promised those who survived a chance to earn fame and fortune by singing female roles in the opera. A few made it, but most didn’t and were swept aside.

Stiletto, a new musical with Music and Lyrics by three-time Grammy nominee, Oscar and Golden Globe nominee Matthew Wilder (Disney’s Mulan), Book by double Olivier Award nominee Tim Luscombe (Noël Coward’s Easy Virtue, Terrence Rattigan’s The Browning Version and Harlequinade), is set in Venice, Europe’s opera capital.

During the winter of 1730-31, Venice is a city bristling with opportunity where fortunes can be made but life is cheap. A city of lustre and intrigue with plenty of chances of success for Marco, who was castrated as a child to retain his perfect voice. Opera stars being the rock stars of their day, Marco is on course to be an 18th-century Jagger or Bowie, to snag a powerful patron and play leading roles.

In a busy square he meets Gioia, confident, strong willed...and supremely talented. But despite her musical gifts, being the daughter of an African slave, there’s no chance for her to fulfil her dreams. Marco recognises her talent and, sensing that they are both outsiders as well as sharing a love for music, they fall in love.

In an attempt to get her on stage, Marco introduces Gioia to society and his patron, the Contessa Azzurra, but at the end of the evening, a body lies dead and Gioia is hauled off to prison. To free her, Marco must overcome the demons of his past and the morally corrupt forces of the present.


Creatives:
Music & Lyrics: Matthew Wilder
Book: Tim Luscombe
Director: David Gilmore
Staging Consultant: Anthony Van Laast
Musical Director: Jae Alexander
Orchestrator: Simon Nathan
Set Designer: Ceci Calf
Costume Designer: Anna Kelsey
Lighting Designer: Ben Ormerod   
Sound Designer: Andrew Johnson
Casting: Neil Rutherford
Executive Producer: Guy Kitchenn
Produced by Patrick Bywalski for the Robert Stigwood Organisation and Steven M. Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions Limited.
More Info