Lockdown Theatre, in association with the Royal Theatrical Fund, presents:

A BIT OF WAITING FOR GODOT

Join us (via ZOOM) for a live table read of Samuel Beckett’s peerless masterpiece – starring three legends of stage and TV: Robert Lindsay, Joanna Lumley and Michael Palin, and directed by Jonathan Church – followed by a live Q&A with the cast and director.

This is a unique opportunity to take part in a one-night-only, once-in-a-lifetime, never-to-be-repeated event. A peek behind the curtain of the theatrical process, in the company of a trio of national treasures:

Robert Lindsay

BAFTA-winning actor, whose credits range from the smash hit Citizen Smith in the Seventies to My Family in the noughties, with a generous sprinkling of award-winning stage roles in between, including Me and My Girl, which won him the Olivier Award in the West End, and a Tony Award when it transferred to Broadway. His TV work has ranged from sitcoms (his first was Get Some In!) to BBC Shakespeare productions, and Stephen Poliakoff dramas Friends and Crocodiles and Gideon’s Daughter. He co-starred in Alan Bleasdale’s GBH along with … Michael Palin, for which he received his BAFTA. He appeared in Ricky Gervais’s Extras as an arrogant, mean-spirited version of himself. Or, as his friends prefer to say: as himself.

Joanna Lumley

From Bond girl in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service to the iconic Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous, Joanna’s glittering career has spanned over four decades, through Purdey in The New Avengers, Sapphire in the cult classic Sapphire and Steel and movies including Tim Burton’s The Corpse Bride and Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street. She has garnered multiple awards, including two BAFTAs and honours (OBE, FRGS and five honorary doctorates). Among her many charity endeavours, she is best known for her tireless support of the Gurkha Justice Campaign.

Michael Palin

Part of the legendary team that created the ground-breaking comedy, Monty Python, Michael went on to create Ripping Yarns with Terry Jones, and appeared in many hit films, including Time Bandits (which he co-wrote with Terry Gilliam), The Missionary (self-penned), and A Fish Called Wanda, which netted him the BAFTA for best supporting actor. He also shared the lead in Alan Bleasdale’s GBH, along with … Robert Lindsay. Latterly, he has concentrated largely on his renowned travel writing and documentaries, from Around the World in 80 Days, to Michael Palin in North Korea. Among a cascade of honours, he received his knighthood in the 2019 New Year’s honours list, is a CBE, and has an asteroid named after him: Asteroid 9621 Michaelpalin.

Jonathan Church

Jonathan Church CBE is currently Artistic Director of Bath Theatre Royal’s Summer Season, Chair of Marlowe Theatre Canterbury and on the Board of the Almeida Theatre. He was Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre (2006-2016); Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre (2001-2006); Associate Director of Hampstead Theatre (1999-2001); Artistic Director of Salisbury Playhouse (1995-1999); Associate Director of Derby Playhouse (1994-1995) and Assistant Director of Nottingham Playhouse (1992- 1994).

Jonathan’s West End Productions as a Director include THE PRICE (Wyndham’s Theatre); HOBSON’S CHOICE (Vaudeville Theatre); TAKEN AT MIDNIGHT (Theatre Royal Haymarket); SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (Palace Theatre); THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI (Duchess Theatre); OF MICE AND MEN (Savoy Theatre and The Old Vic); THE WITCHES (Wyndham’s Theatre); A BUSY DAY (Lyric Theatre); THE LIFE AND TIMES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY (Gielgud Theatre).

Many industries are under threat in these troubled times, but the entertainment industry is facing an existential crisis. We simply don’t know when, or even if, theatres will be able to accommodate audiences safely in sufficient numbers to make productions viable again. Theatres are closing, good theatres, and may never reopen their doors.

We at Lockdown Theatre want to do what we can to help safeguard and preserve our rich national heritage of theatre, and give it as healthy a future as possible, so all funds generated by this production will be donated to The Royal Theatrical Fund (Patron, Her Majesty the Queen).

The Royal Theatrical Fund provides support to all those that have worked professionally in the entertainment industry, the list is endless and includes onstage, backstage, front of house and includes commercial musical theatre dancers, comedians, cabaret artistes, directors, producers. The Fund dispenses more than money; applicants' needs vary and may not just be financial. Those living alone welcome a friendly telephone call a chance to talk and perhaps to unburden their anxieties. A simple telephone call can help to relieve a sense of isolation in these unprecedented times. The Fund also assists with benefit and welfare advice.

Thank you for purchasing a ticket to take part in this unique rendition of Waiting for Godot. All proceeds from this event will be entirely channelled to help those in the industry during this pandemic. Every £ received will go directly to those in the greatest need. Should you wish to further donate to the Royal Theatrical Fund, you can do so at JustGiving.

Join us for an evening of classic comedy and chat. Bring your own wine. No popcorn.