Thirty Years of Theatre
A timeline of Jenny’s work
2019
Man in the White Suit
Man in the White Suit played Bath Theatre Royal from 6 September until 21 September 2019. It then transferred to Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End on 8 October 2019.
Theatre poster for The Man in the White Suit
2018
Dracula
Jenny’s first play as a writer - an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Dracula opened at Everyman Cheltenham on 28 September before touring nationally until 1 December 2018. The show was seen by over 34,000 people of which 12,000 were under 25.
“I spent 9 months on this adaptation – whittling away the script like a carving to get to the essentials. By the end of the tour I felt that there were still improvements to be made both to the text and the production… and so it goes but what a thrill it was.”
Pressure
David Haig’s D-Day thriller opened at Cambridge Arts Theatre on 1 February, touring nationally until 24 March 2018. Pressure then transferred into the West End at the Ambassadors Theatre for a limited run in Summer 2018.
“Pressure’ was a pleasure. What a gloriously kind and generous company of actors. ”
David Haig in the West End theatre poster for Pressure
Phil Daniels in the theatre poster for Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde on tour
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Adapted by David Edgar. Opened at Rose Theatre Kingston on 9 February and then toured nationally until 19 May 2018. The show played to over 35,000 people.
“Having wooed Phil Daniels for this role and taken him for tea at the Ritz to see if he could rise to the role of Jekyll! … I discovered Phil to be one of the most hard working, conscientious actors I have worked with … humble, funny and a great company man ”
2017
Anita and Me
Adapted by Tanika Gupta. Opened at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on 14 February and then toured nationally until 1 April 2017.
“What a pleasure to have a show reach the audience for which it was written … a triumph at Wolverhampton and an extraordinary experience to sit amongst an audience in Edinburgh that I had never seen there for any other show. ”
The poster for Anita and Me featuring the image of Meera Syal as a young girl.
2016
A Tale of Two Cities
Adapted by Mike Poulton. Opened at Royal & Derngate Northampton on 13 September and then toured nationally until 26 November 2016.
“A handsome production that was a technical challenge for us on tour. I was always moved by it, though - Joseph Timms was special. ”
Of Mice and Men
Opened at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on 4 February and toured nationally until 28 May 2016. The show played to over 50,000 people.
“To be able to place Dudley Sutton, aged 83 in the role of Candy was a privilege and a joy... and he had to cope with a different dog actor each week on tour – which he did with love and skill.
Dudley was an artist on stage – and though his memory was failing - his ability to improvise remained undiminished. He held the stage and drew us in to a world of his imagination… and Steinbeck’s. Thank you Dudley for a memorable tour. ”
Dudley Sutton in a publicity photo for Of Mice and Men. Photo: Shaun Webb
2015
Brave New World. Photo: Manuel Harlan.
Brave New World
Brave New World was directed by James Dacre and adapted by Dawn King. It opened at Royal & Derngate Northampton on 4 September and then toured nationally until 5 December 2015.
A View from the Bridge
Opened at Theatre Royal Nottingham on 4 March and toured nationally until 2 May 2015. The show played to 15,000 people.
Jonathan Guy Lewis as Eddie Carbone. Photo: Manuel Harlan.
2014
Regeneration
Directed by Simon Godwin, this adaptation by Nicholas Wright opened at Royal & Derngate Northampton on 29 August and then toured nationally until 29 November 2014. The show played to 25,000 people.
The cast of Regeneration. Photo: Manuel Harlan.
Brassed Off. Photo: Nobby Clark.
Brassed Off
Opened on at York Theatre Royal on 14 February and then toured nationally until 14 June 2014. The show played to over 50,000 people.
Jenny organised a short film project with former mining communities across the UK, sharing their stories about their lives and experiences during the 1984 Miners’ Strike. The film was broadcast at the National Coal Mining Museum’s Miners’ Gala on 22 June 2014.
In April 2015, Jenny visited Cuba with Anne Scargill, co-founder of Women Against Pit Closures and ex-wife of Arthur Scargill.
“Producing Brassed Off and playing to full houses at the Bradford Alhambra theatre was a reminder that as with Anita & Me, when the subject matter of our dramas are relevant to our audiences they will participate.
Our mission with the Touring Consortium as supported by the Strategic Touring Fund was to reach out to culturally marginalised communities. This production and its participation of local brass bands did just that.”
2013
To Sir with Love
Adapted by Ayub Khan Din. Opened at Royal & Derngate Northampton on 10 September and then toured nationally until 30 November 2013. The show played to over 25,000 people.
The cast of To Sir with Love. Photo: Nobby Clark.
Matthew Kelly and Ansu Kabia in a publicity photo on the set of To Sir with Love
“Producer Mark Goucher, who had commissioned Ayub Khan Din to adapt this book, suggested this project to me and I grasped it with enthusiasm. The story of E R Braithwaite recently de-mobbed from the British Airforce and unable to get a job as an electrical engineer for which he was qualified - drove him to the East End of London where he was employed as a teacher in a progressive school run by an extraordinary Headmaster.
A true story.
E R Braithwaite aged 99, attended our world premiere at Royal & Derngate Northampton and received a standing ovation. Quite a night! The project also inspired Lindy Hop dance competitions around the UK, 50s make up and fashion nights drew audiences to these events and from there to see the show. To Sir with Love was presented as part of Black History Month at Wolverhampton and sold out on opening night.”
2012
Amy Dawson in the role of Anne in The Diary of Anne Frank, 2012. Photo: Nobby Clark.
The Diary of Anne Frank
Directed by Nikolai Foster. The Diary of Anne Frank opened at York Theatre Royal on 17 February and then toured nationally until 26 May 2012.
“A pleasure to work with the inspired and inspiring Nikolai Foster – despite the adaptation being a bit lumpy - the story continues to hit home. …. And it is a story that reaches young audiences. It bridges cultural gaps – and I was proud to present this production in Bradford.”
2011
To Kill A Mockingbird
Opened at York Theatre Royal on 14 February and then toured nationally until 21 May 2011. The show was seen by over 65,000 people.
“This story continues to pack a punch and I’ve produced it three times. Memories surfaced again, of Richard Johnson arriving to a meeting dressed as Gregory Peck - who played ‘Atticus’ for us in 1996 … twice, however, we have presented Duncan Preston in the role – once in 2006 and once in 2011.”
Duncan Preston in the role of Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird. Photo: Karl Andre.
Theatre poster for Slava’s Snow Show at the Royal Festival Hall, London.
Slava’s Snowshow
Opened at Royal Festival Hall on 17 December 2011 and played until 8 January 2012.
“Slava’s Snowshow is pure theatre. A privilege to have been involved with the show and very exciting to be able to join in the last performance at the Royal Festival Hall. The atmosphere backstage during the show is as close to a Zen experience as I’ve ever had.”