A HAMPSTEAD THEATRE WORLD PREMIERE

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

By Richard Bean
Directed by Richard Wilson & Terry Johnson

Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes with an interval

He talks about going to Switzerland, to that place where you pay them to kill you… And I say “go! It’ll do you good. Broaden your horizons…you’ve never been abroad!

Main Stage

26 Oct - 25 Nov 2023

Box Office: 020 7722 9301

Details

★★★★ 'entertaining, poignant' The Telegraph
★★★★ 'moving' 'bittersweet comedy' Daily Mail


 After sixty years of marriage, happily settled into their retirement village in Yorkshire, Jack and Florence have elevated bickering almost to the status of high art. That said, they’re otherwise getting along fine with the support of a cousin and the hilarious interventions of the man known locally as ‘Rhubarb Eddie’. But will their anxious son, shuttling between London and LA, and their errant daughter, contemplating a move to Australia, leave them to live out their days in peace? 

Richard Bean’s uproarious new comedy tackles the prickly problem of dealing with ageing parents who just don’t want to be dealt with! Writer of the international smash-hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors, Bean returns to Hampstead after successes with Kiss Me and In the Club.  Work elsewhere includes Jack Absolute Flies Again (National Theatre), Young Marx (Bridge) and Made in Dagenham, The Musical (Adelphi).

Richard Wilson (Peggy For You) and Terry Johnson (Prism) both return to Hampstead Theatre to co-direct this production. 

To Have and To Hold is a Hampstead Theatre Next Decade commission.

We are grateful to Ken and Lin Craig for kindly supporting this production.

Cast

Artistic team

WRITER

RICHARD BEAN

Co-DIRECTORs

RICHARD WILSON & TERRY JOHNSON

DESIGNER

JAMES COTTERILL

LIGHTING

BETHANY GUPWELL

SOUND

JOHN LEONARD

CASTING

ROBERT STERNE CDG

ASSISTANT DIRECTORS

JOS VANTYLER & CHARLOTTE CONQUEST

 

COMPANY STAGE MANAGER

MICHAEL DENNIS

DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER

DAVID PURDIE-SMITH

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

BENEDICT RATTRAY

Cast

News

LISTEN TO LAUREN GUNDERSON ON BBC RADIO 4’S START THE WEEK

Posted on 29 September 2023

Playwright Lauren Gunderson spoke to BBC Radio 4 Start The Week’s about interrogating our relationship with Artificial Intelligence in her new play anthropology, which opened on the Main Stage on 7 September.

A CUP OF TEA WITH EWAN MILLER

Posted on 29 September 2023

We caught up with actor Ewan Miller to talk acting highlights, dream roles, and Octopolis, which runs Downstairs until 28 October.

NINETEEN GARDENS CASTING ANNOUNCED

Posted on 28 September 2023

Magdalena Miecznicka is set to make her playwriting debut at Hampstead Theatre with Nineteen Gardens, an intimate two-hander directed by Alice Hamilton and starring Olivia Le Andersen and David Sturzaker.

PLAQUE HONOURING THE FOUNDER OF HAMPSTEAD THEATRE UNVEILED

Posted on 20 September 2023

A plaque honouring the inspirational founder of Hampstead Theatre has been unveiled at the theatre in north London.

COMPETITION: WIN TWO AND A PAIR OF TICKETS FOR TO HAVE TO HOLD

Posted on 5 September 2023

Coming to see anthropology? You can be in with a chance to win tickets to our next Main Stage show

HAMPSTEAD THEATRE ANNOUNCES FULL SEASON OF EIGHT NEW PRODUCTIONS

Posted on 18 May 2023

Hampstead Theatre today announces a full season of eight new productions beginning on 7 September 2023 and running until 16 March 2024.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH INTERVIEWS GREG RIPLEY-DUGGAN

Posted on 18 May 2023

When funding was withdrawn, all seemed lost for the off-West End venue – but now star names are stepping in to save it.

Tickets

A limited number of £10 tickets will be released at a later date.

 

Previews

Full Price: £25/£35/£45 

Under 30s/Students: £10 

Access ½ price 

Groups: For every 9 tickets get the 10th free 

*Ages 60+ 

 

Monday – Saturday 

Full price: £35/£45/£55  

Under 30s/Students: £10 

Access ½ price 

Seniors*: (matinees only): £26/£36/£46

Groups: For every 9 tickets get the 10th free 

 

All prices are subject to change. Book early for the best price. 

 

Content Warnings

CONTENT WARNINGS - to have and to hold

This production contains strong language.

Minor references to suicide, murder and bereavement.

Please note that our content warnings evolve as the production does throughout rehearsal and previews, so there may be changes made between booking and attending the theatre. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about specific themes or concerns, please call the Box Office on 020 7722 9301 or email boxoffice@hampsteadtheatre.com

Video and Image Gallery

MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE) & ALUN ARMSTRONG (JACK) Photo by Marc Brenner MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE) & ALUN ARMSTRONG (JACK)Photo by Marc Brenner
MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE) Photo by Marc Brenner MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE)Photo by Marc Brenner
MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE) & CHRISTOPHER FULFORD (ROB) Photo by Marc Brenner MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE) & CHRISTOPHER FULFORD (ROB)Photo by Marc Brenner
CHRISTOPHER FULFORD (ROB), MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE) & HERMIONE GULLIFORD (TINA) Photo by Marc Brenner CHRISTOPHER FULFORD (ROB), MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE) & HERMIONE GULLIFORD (TINA)Photo by Marc Brenner
MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE) & RACHEL DALE (PAMELA) Photo by Marc Brenner MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE) & RACHEL DALE (PAMELA)Photo by Marc Brenner
Alun Armstrong (Jack) Photo by Marc Brenner Alun Armstrong (Jack)Photo by Marc Brenner
MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE) Photo by The Other Richard MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE)Photo by The Other Richard
CHRISTOPHER FULFORD (ROB) & RACHEL DALE (PAMELA) Photo by The Other Richard CHRISTOPHER FULFORD (ROB) & RACHEL DALE (PAMELA)Photo by The Other Richard
Alun Armstrong (Jack) Photo by Marc Brenner Alun Armstrong (Jack)Photo by Marc Brenner
Richard Bean (Writer) Photo by Marc Brenner Richard Bean (Writer)Photo by Marc Brenner
Adrian Hood (Eddie) Photo by Marc Brenner Adrian Hood (Eddie)Photo by Marc Brenner
Rachel Dale (Pamela) & Hermione Gulliford (Tina) Photo by Marc Brenner Rachel Dale (Pamela) & Hermione Gulliford (Tina)Photo by Marc Brenner
Richard Wilson (Director) Photo by Marc Brenner Richard Wilson (Director)Photo by Marc Brenner
TERRY JOHNSON (DIRECTOR) Photo by The Other Richard TERRY JOHNSON (DIRECTOR)Photo by The Other Richard
ALUN ARMSTRONG (JACK) Photo by Marc Brenner ALUN ARMSTRONG (JACK)Photo by Marc Brenner
ADRIAN HOOD (EDDIE) & MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE) Photo by Marc Brenner ADRIAN HOOD (EDDIE) & MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE)Photo by Marc Brenner
HERMIONE GULLIFORD (TINA) & CHRISTOPHER FULFORD (ROB) Photo by Marc Brenner HERMIONE GULLIFORD (TINA) & CHRISTOPHER FULFORD (ROB)Photo by Marc Brenner
MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE), CHRISTOPHER FULFORD (ROB) & ALUN ARMSTRONG (JACK) Photo by Marc Brenner MARION BAILEY (FLORENCE), CHRISTOPHER FULFORD (ROB) & ALUN ARMSTRONG (JACK)Photo by Marc Brenner
ALUN ARMSTRONG (JACK) Photo by Marc Brenner ALUN ARMSTRONG (JACK)Photo by Marc Brenner