Alphabetical Order

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A provincial newspaper office in the 1970s – and another day of chaos in the the cuttings library. Files all over the floor, phones left ringing. And where is Lucy, the librarian…? Her life (when she finally arrives), and the lives of the journalists who take refuge in her muddled retreat, turn out to be as confused as the library itself. Into this comfortable little world steps Lesley, Lucy’s new assistant. She’s young, bright, and she wants system and order. She wants things to change.

Michael Frayn began his career as a reporter on the Guardian, where he became a columnist in 1959 before moving to the Observer from 1962 to 1968. Now known for his success as a novelist and playwright, his plays include Clouds (Hampstead Theatre 1976), Donkeys’ Years (1976), Make and Break (1980), Noises Off (1982), Benefactors (1984), Copenhagen (1998), Democracy (2003) and Afterlife (2008).

Christopher Luscombe directs at Hampstead Theatre for the first time. He most recently directed The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare's Globe and his production of Alan Bennett’s Enjoy transfers to the Gielgud Theatre in January.

Alphabetical Order was first produced at Hampstead in March 1975. It transferred to the West End and won the Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy.

• Cast
• Penelope Beaumont: Nora
• Michael Garner: Wally
• Gawn Grainger: Arnold
• Jonathan Guy Lewis: John
• Chloe Newsome: Lesley
• Imogen Stubbs: Lucy
• Ian Talbot: Geoffrey
• Creative Team
• Michael Frayn: Writer
• Christopher Luscombe: Director
• Janet Bird: Designer
• Tim Mitchell: Lighting Designer
• Fergus O'Hare: Sound Designer

Performance Details

Venue - Auditorium

• April: 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 (3pm), 25 (7:30pm), 27, 28, 29, 30
• May: 1, 2 (3pm), 2 (7:30pm), 4, 5, 6 (2:30pm), 6 (7:30pm), 7, 8, 9 (3pm), 9 (7:30pm), 11, 12, 13 (2:30pm), 13 (7:30pm), 14, 15, 16 (3pm), 16 (7:30pm)

Click date for performance times and details.

Please note that latecomers may not be admitted.

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