Opera Double Bill 
Full details TBC 

Puccini's Gianni Schicchi Directed and Designed by Paula Chitty.  
Puccini’s comic masterpiece, Gianni Schicchi.A death, a will and a scheming family.  An hour of comic fun, set to a sublime score.  It includes Puccini’s glorious aria ‘O Mio Babbino Caro’ (Theme from the film Room with a View) An entertaining and accessible opera. Staged and sung in English

Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana Directed by John Heath 

Cast and orchestra - Information to follow 
Leaflet design Paula Chitty
Produced by SACO

 Irrational  presents a refreshing and reflective night of orginal songs by John Knowles | Ed Coan | Zak Stinchcombe  and Abbie Gathard at The Hub on Verulam, St Albans.Four great guitarists present their own music | Comtemporary Folk | Rock | Ballards | Pop and Reggae.

One Night | Four troubadours | Multiple song journeys. 

There are any number of evenings and places in St. Albans you can listen to bands and solo artists singing covers of well-known songs. But there’s no complete evening in the city where you can listen to original songs by local singer/songwriters. 

Until now.Irrational Theatre plugs – or rather unplugs – this gap, kicking-off on Tuesday 12 November | 7.30 at The Hub on Verulam. 5 Verulam Road. St Albans. Herts AL3 4DA, a wonderfully intimate space, but seating is limited, so early booking is advised for this welcome addition to the St. Albans’ music scene. 

Songwriters John Knowles, Ed Coan, Zak Stinchcombe and Abbie Gathard will take the audience on a journey through their individual songwriting lives. Expect well-observed songs of life, love and loss – and well, you’ll have to come along to hear what else is in store.

Leaflet Design Paula Chity

Play by David Hendon 
Directed by Paula Chitty.  
Performed by Elizabeth George.   
Produced by Irrational Theatre

A meditation on motherhood, Hendon’s writing is first class in this surprising, shocking and heart wrenching monologue, brought to life theatrically by director Paula Chitty and actress, Elizabeth George. 

A finalist at The Kenneth Branagh Award in 2017 where it was hailed a triumph Sardines Magazine - A Triumph, someone sat behind me and said we should have stood to applaud and I agree. It’s impossible to untangle the roles of writer, director and actor in achieving the outcome but that’s what great theatre is all about, the structure is overlaid with beautiful dialogue.

Leaflet design Paula Chitty

 Irrational  presents a refreshing and reflective night of orginal songs by John Knowles | Ed Coan | Zak Stinchcombe at The Hope and Anchor | London N1. Three great guitarists present their own music | Comtemporary Folk | Rock | Ballards | Pop and Reggae.

One Night | Three troubadours | Multiple song journeys. 


Kicking-off on Wednesday 25 Sept 2024 at The Hope and Anchor. London's most famous live music venue. ( www.hopeandanchor.info )

Songwriters John Knowles, Ed Coan and Zak Stinchcombe will take the audience on a journey through their individual songwriting lives. Expect well-observed songs of life, love and loss – and well, you’ll have to come along to hear what else is in store.

Leaflet Design Paula Chity

Based on the book by Lisa Stubbs.  
Produced by Lily and Bear Productions 
Adapted for the stage by Paula Chitty | Direction and Production design by Paula Chitty. | Music by Jill Priest. | Arranged by David Forbes. | Animation by Matt Sandbrook. | Audio-visual operation John Anderson and Eddie Stephens  Cast: Lily – Eleanor Rosser-Smyth and Valeria Perboni | Bear – Ross Hobson | Puppet operation and narration – Katy Bingham-Best. 

LILY AND BEAR   PARK THEATRE 200 | TIMES HERE https://parktheatre.co.uk/event/lily-and-bear/

Gustav Holst’s The Idea
Discover the delight of this little known, family fun, theatrical operetta, which is undertaking its UK premier this year. The Prime Minister has had an Idea….
This early and tuneful composition by English composer Gustav Holst is an unexpected far throw from his best known orchestral suite The Planets. Holst’s collaboration with his 22 year old contemporary of The Royal College of Music Fritz B Hart fuses a sharp, witty and satirical libretto, Holst’s catchy tunes, inspired by Gilbert and Sullivan, woven into a joyful fresh new arrangement by Patrick Vincent.
In a witty and surreal adapted staging by director Paula Chitty. The Prime Minister of this great and glorious country interrupts the wacky court of a rambling king and clown faced queen to announce his great Idea.

**** ReviewsGate. It is performed and sung with relish – Valaria Perboni has has a nicely acid touch as HM and John Stivey bumbles to the manner born as the PM – by the entire cast. It is a rare delight staged with wit -director Chitty did the Costume and set design – and deserves to pop up all over place on the fringe and around after this short season. And the relevance to today needs no pointing up.

**** LondonTheatre1 Paula Chitty’s direction of this unexpected piece is taut and witty, with John Stivey and Valeria Perboni doing that ongoing English dance of P.M. and H.M. with edge and deftness.
Irrational Theatre specialises in the Best of British opera and plays – librettists, composers and playwrights.
 
Composer - Gustav Holst
Librettist - Fritz B Hart
Arrangement – Patrick Vincent
Director /designer – Paula Chitty
Dance gestures – Elizabeth George
Stage Management – Kate Reynolds
 
Cast :
Charles Nayler
Valeria Perboni
Jamie Blake
Rosie Taylor
John Stivey

Musicians:
Joy Mendelsohn
Patrick O’Donovan
Amber Nixon

Gustav Holst’s The Idea
Discover the delight of this little known, family fun, theatrical operetta, which is undertaking its UK premier this year. The Prime Minister has had an Idea….
This early and tuneful composition by English composer Gustav Holst is an unexpected far throw from his best known orchestral suite The Planets. Holst’s collaboration with his 22 year old contemporary of The Royal College of Music Fritz B Hart fuses a sharp, witty and satirical libretto, Holst’s catchy tunes, inspired by Gilbert and Sullivan, woven into a joyful fresh new arrangement by Patrick Vincent.
In a witty and surreal adapted staging by director Paula Chitty. The Prime Minister of this great and glorious country interrupts the wacky court of a rambling king and clown faced queen to announce his great Idea.

**** ReviewsGate. It is performed and sung with relish – Valaria Perboni has has a nicely acid touch as HM and John Stivey bumbles to the manner born as the PM – by the entire cast. It is a rare delight staged with wit -director Chitty did the Costume and set design – and deserves to pop up all over place on the fringe and around after this short season. And the relevance to today needs no pointing up.

**** LondonTheatre1 Paula Chitty’s direction of this unexpected piece is taut and witty, with John Stivey and Valeria Perboni doing that ongoing English dance of P.M. and H.M. with edge and deftness.
Irrational Theatre specialises in the Best of British opera and plays – librettists, composers and playwrights.
 
Composer - Gustav Holst
Librettist - Fritz B Hart
Arrangement – Patrick Vincent
Director /designer – Paula Chitty
Dance gestures – Elizabeth George
Stage Management – Kate Reynolds
 
Cast :
Charles Nayler
Valeria Perboni
Jamie Blake
Rosie Taylor
John Stivey

Musicians:
Joy Mendelsohn
Patrick O’Donovan
Amber Nixon

Original addition to St. Albans’ music scene | Irrational  presents a refreshing and reflective night of orginal songs by John Knowles | Ed Coan | Zak Stinchcombe - Three great guitarists present their own music | Comtemporary Folk | Rock | Ballards | Pop and Reggae.

One Night | Three troubadours | Multiple song journeys. 

There are any number of evenings and places in St. Albans you can listen to bands and solo artists singing covers of well-known songs. But there’s no complete evening in the city where you can listen to original songs by local singer/songwriters. Until now.

Irrational Theatre plugs – or rather unplugs – this gap, kicking-off on Thursday 23th May2024 at The Hub on Verulam. 5 Verulam Road. St Albans. Herts AL3 4DA, a wonderfully intimate space, but seating is limited, so early booking is advised for this welcome addition to the St. Albans’ music scene. 

That’s when seasoned songwriters John Knowles, Ed Coan and Zak Stinchcombe will take the audience on a journey through their individual songwriting lives. Expect well-observed songs of life, love and loss – and well, you’ll have to come along to hear what else is in store.

Holy Name
A new full length play by Michael Eichler

Adapted to a UK setting by Peter Hale
Directed and Designed by Paula Chitty


In a 1960’s neighbourhood a working class family struggle to find unity in a home of  psychological battles and chaos.

Paying the price for free will , Holy Name asks how peace can be found in a home that has never known it .

Be advised this play offers stark depictions of mental illness and domestic abuse

Cast:

Bill (Father)  | Graeme Culliton 
Lindy (Mother)  | Beth Sanderson
Michael (Youngest son) | Ben Sanderson
Ron ( Son )  | Marco Quille
Judy (Lindy’s Sister)  | Elizabeth George 


 REVIEWS 
To let you know how much I enjoyed the performance of ‘Holy Name’ at the Cockpit.   I do not  have much eyesight so depend largely on what I hear and “feel”.

The first thing to say is how quickly and clearly the five characters were established.  Knowing in advance that mental handicap was at the core of the play one wondered which character was so affected.  Lindy was excellent conveying the answer.   From then onwards  I found that the development of relationships between the characters and the effect of mothers problem on each  member of the  family  held my attention to the end.   

'The simple  staging worked well, the lighting was excellent and I much enjoyed the subtle background Birdsong. 
Well done to you all and thank you for a very enjoyable evening'Peggy

_____________

***** 'A heart felt dipiction of a family struggling with mental health' Paris Roberts

____________

I'm really pleased that I managed to get to the play at the Cockpit yesterday evening - ... The writing was very good, powerful and moving and rang very true to a  sad life  but alas not uncommon. Paddy 

Holy Name
A new full length play by Michael Eichler

Adapted to a UK setting by Peter Hale
Directed and Designed by Paula Chitty


In a 1960’s neighbourhood a working class family struggle to find unity in a home of  psychological battles and chaos.

Paying the price for free will , Holy Name asks how peace can be found in a home that has never known it .

Be advised this play offers stark depictions of mental illness and domestic abuse

Cast:

Bill (Father)  | Graeme Culliton 
Lindy (Mother)  | Beth Sanderson
Michael (Youngest son) | Ben Sanderson
Ron ( Son )  | Marco Quille
Judy (Lindy’s Sister)  | Elizabeth George 


REVIEWS
To let you know how much I enjoyed the performance of ‘Holy Name’ at the Cockpit.   I do not  have much eyesight so depend largely on what I hear and “feel”.

The first thing to say is how quickly and clearly the five characters were established.  Knowing in advance that mental handicap was at the core of the play one wondered which character was so affected.  Lindy was excellent conveying the answer.   From then onwards  I found that the development of relationships between the characters and the effect of mothers problem on each  member of the  family  held my attention to the end.   

'The simple  staging worked well, the lighting was excellent and I much enjoyed the subtle background Birdsong. 
Well done to you all and thank you for a very enjoyable evening' Peggy

_____________

 'A heart felt depiction of a family struggling with mental health' Paris Roberts

____________

I'm really pleased that I managed to get to the play at the Cockpit yesterday evening - ... The writing was very good, powerful and moving and rang very true to a  sad life  but alas not uncommon. Paddy 

In 2011, five fishermen on the Isle of Wight (Jamie Green, Jon Beere, Daniel Payne, Scott Birtwistle & Zoran Dresic) were sentenced to a total of 104 years for conspiracy to import £53m worth of cocaine. They have always professed their innocence.

Inspired by the wildly popular Guardian Today in Focus 6-part podcast series of the same name, Liam Patrick Harrison’s stageplay, produced by the award-winning production company Deadman (Artistic Director Samuel Bossman), launches a detailed and rich theatrical investigation into the men’s tragic downfall.

Through spectacular storytelling, verbatim accounts, inventive stagecraft, poetry and song, the South Coast cast delves into subjects of classical & contemporary smuggling, deteriorating coastal communities, immigration and folklore interwoven through this ancient profession.

Director - Becks Granger
Set Designer - Paula Chitty
Sound Designer - Kalle Jurvanen
Lighting Designer - Jack Hathaway
Musical Director- Laryassa Schoeck
Stage Manager - Becky North
Assistant Producer - Alice Humpreys
Gaphic Designer - Megan Siggers
Photograhy/videography-Charlie Price
Produced by Deadman Theatre 
(Artist Director - Sam Bossman

In 2011, five fishermen on the Isle of Wight (Jamie Green, Jon Beere, Daniel Payne, Scott Birtwistle & Zoran Dresic) were sentenced to a total of 104 years for conspiracy to import £53m worth of cocaine. They have always professed their innocence.

Inspired by the wildly popular Guardian Today in Focus 6-part podcast series of the same name, Liam Patrick Harrison’s stageplay, produced by the award-winning production company Deadman (Artistic Director Samuel Bossman), launches a detailed and rich theatrical investigation into the men’s tragic downfall.

Through spectacular storytelling, verbatim accounts, inventive stagecraft, poetry and song, the South Coast cast delves into subjects of classical & contemporary smuggling, deteriorating coastal communities, immigration and folklore interwoven through this ancient profession.

Director - Becks Granger
Set Designer - Paula Chitty
Sound Designer - Kalle Jurvanen
Lighting Designer - Jack Hathaway
Musical Director- Laryassa Schoeck
Stage Manager - Becky North
Assistant Producer - Alice Humpreys
Gaphic Designer - Megan Siggers
Photograhy/videography-Charlie Price
Produced by Deadman Theatre 
(Artist Director - Sam Bossman

BILLY BLAGG - TRIBUTE TO BILLY BRAGG 
Join us for an evening of England's foremost political singer-songwriter Billy Bragg, performed by leading tribute act, Billy Blagg. 

Breaking into the mainstream during the Miners Strike of 1984, Billy Bragg has been an active voice-of-the people for 40 years. Renowned for his acerbic political anthems as much as his searing love songs, Bragg has chronicled the pulse of the nation across his 18 studio albums.

Irrational Theatre and Billy Blagg join forces 
The Courtyard Theatre,  Bowling Green Walk
40 Pitfield Street. N1 6EU 

FAT WALTERS BAND  Blues and Foot Tappin'  Playing some favourites and some originals and there's always a a bit of dancing  Irrational Theatre and FAT WALTERS BAND join forces no The Courtyard Theatre,  Bowling Green Walk 40 Pitfield Street. N1 6EU

BILLY BLAGG - TRIBUTE TO BILLY BRAGG  Join us for an evening of England's foremost political singer-songwriter Billy Bragg, performed by leading tribute act, Billy Blagg.  

Breaking into the mainstream during the Miners Strike of 1984, Billy Bragg has been an active voice-of-the people for 40 years. Renowned for his acerbic political anthems as much as his searing love songs, Bragg has chronicled the pulse of the nation across his 18 studio albums. 

Irrational Theatre and Billy Blagg join forces at The Hub on Verulam. 5B Verulam Road St Albans AL3 4DA

In 2011, five fishermen on the Isle of Wight (Jamie Green, Jon Beere, Daniel Payne, Scott Birtwistle & Zoran Dresic) were sentenced to a total of 104 years for conspiracy to import £53m worth of cocaine. They have always professed their innocence.

Inspired by the wildly popular Guardian Today in Focus 6-part podcast series of the same name, Liam Patrick Harrison’s stageplay, produced by the award-winning production company Deadman (Artistic Director Samuel Bossman), launches a detailed and rich theatrical investigation into the men’s tragic downfall.

Through spectacular storytelling, verbatim accounts, inventive stagecraft, poetry and song, the South Coast cast delves into subjects of classical & contemporary smuggling, deteriorating coastal communities, immigration and folklore interwoven through this ancient profession.

Director - Becks Granger
Set Designer - Paula Chitty
Sound Designer - Kalle Jurvanen
Lighting Designer - Jack Hathaway
Musical Director- Laryassa Schoeck
Stage Manager - Becky North
Assistant Producer - Alice Humpreys
Gaphic Designer - Megan Siggers
Photograhy/videography-Charlie Price
Produced by Deadman Theatre 
(Artist Director - Sam Bossman

Based on the book by Lisa Stubbs.  
Published by Boxer Books.  
Produced by Lily and Bear Productions 
Adapted for the stage by Paula Chitty | Direction and Production design by Paula Chitty. | Producers David Bennett and Paula Chitty. | Music by Jill Priest. | Arranged by David Forbes. | Animation by Matt Sandbrook. | Audio-visual operation by Eddie Stephens  Cast: Lily – Imaculada Elena Guil  | Bear – Ross Hobson | Puppet operation and narration – Katy Bingham-Best. 

LILY AND BEAR   LYRIC THEATRE HAMMERSMITH    TUES 24th | WED 25th OCT   11.00 AM | 1 PM

COURTYARD THEATRE JULY 6TH /7TH 7.30PM 

Play by David Hendon 
Directed by Paula Chitty.  
Performed by Elizabeth George.   
Produced by Irrational Theatre

A meditation on motherhood, Hendon’s writing is first class in this surprising, shocking and heart wrenching monologue, brought to life theatrically by director Paula Chitty and actress, Elizabeth George. 

A finalist at The Kenneth Branagh Award in 2017 where it was hailed a triumph Sardines Magazine - A Triumph, someone sat behind me and said we should have stood to applaud and I agree. It’s impossible to untangle the roles of writer, director and actor in achieving the outcome but that’s what great theatre is all about, the structure is overlaid with beautiful dialogue.  

**** The Review Hub - The evening’s most horrific story comes with an almighty emotional punch that carefully side steps the sentimental and explores the effect of a shock tragedy on a single mother.

 **** Younger Theatre - A tale of love and loss and all that comes with it.

 **** Theatre box - A Harrowing piece about motherhood, shock, grief, mundane joys, degradation and celebrations that motherhood entails 

Gustav Holst’s The Idea | 
This was programmed into OHP but due to covid circumstances was withdrawn from sale. 
Discover the delight of this little known, family fun, theatrical operetta, which is undertaking its UK premier this year. The Prime Minister has had an Idea….
This early and tuneful composition by English composer Gustav Holst is an unexpected far throw from his best known orchestral suite The Planets. Holst’s collaboration with his 22 year old contemporary of The Royal College of Music Fritz B Hart fuses a sharp, witty and satirical libretto, Holst’s catchy tunes, inspired by Gilbert and Sullivan, woven into a joyful fresh new arrangement by Patrick Vincent.
In a witty and surreal adapted staging by director Paula Chitty. The Prime Minister of this great and glorious country interrupts the wacky court of a rambling king and clown faced queen to announce his great Idea.

**** ReviewsGate. It is performed and sung with relish – Valaria Perboni has has a nicely acid touch as HM and John Stivey bumbles to the manner born as the PM – by the entire cast. It is a rare delight staged with wit -director Chitty did the Costume and set design – and deserves to pop up all over place on the fringe and around after this short season. And the relevance to today needs no pointing up.

**** LondonTheatre1 Paula Chitty’s direction of this unexpected piece is taut and witty, with John Stivey and Valeria Perboni doing that ongoing English dance of P.M. and H.M. with edge and deftness.
Irrational Theatre specialises in the Best of British opera and plays – librettists, composers and playwrights.
 
Composer - Gustav Holst
Librettist - Fritz B Hart
Arrangement – Patrick Vincent
Director /designer – Paula Chitty
Dance gestures – Elizabeth George
Stage Management – Kate Reynolds
 
Cast :
Ross Hobson
Valeria Perboni
Simon Mulligan
Eleanor 
John Stivey

Musicians:
Joy Mendelsohn
Patrick O’Donovan
Kitty Larder 
Trumper TBC

Based on the book by Lisa Stubbs.  
Published by Boxer Books.  
Produced by Lily and Bear Productions 
Adapted for the stage by Paula Chitty | Direction and Production design by Paula Chitty. | Producers David Bennett and Paula Chitty. | Music by Jill Priest. | Arranged by David Forbes. | Animation by Matt Sandbrook. | Audio-visual operation by Eddie Stephens  Cast: Lily – Imaculada Elena Guil  | Bear – Ross Hobson | Puppet operation and narration – Katy Bingham-Best. 

LILY AND BEAR   LYRIC THEATRE HAMMERSMITH    APRIL 1ST 2023   11.00 AM | 1 PM

The unusual setting is simple but effective – a bathroom at the wedding venue, strewn with copious baskets of discarded notes, loo rolls and cue cards, a chandelier and wedding balloons. The lighting and sound effectively transform the secluded hideaway in stark contrasts with the off-stage revelry and bombastic characters.

Rosemary is about to do a speech at her mother’s wedding. She’s not quite sure how to hit the right note as the relationship between Rosemary and her mother has been... less than rosy

West End Evenings *****
London  Theatre1 ****
West  End Best Friend ****
Close Up Culture ****

Written by Cheryl May Coward- Walker 
Set design - Paula Chitty
Director - Simone Watson - Brown
Performed by Princess McDonnough
Sound by Will Pritchard
Stage Manager - Lauren Wedgeworth
Produced by Purple Moon Drama

Based on the book by Lisa Stubbs. 
Published by Boxer Books. 
Produced by Lily and Bear Productions

Adapted for the stage by Paula Chitty | Direction and Production design by Paula Chitty. | Producers David Bennett and Paula Chitty. | Music by Jill Priest. | Arranged by David Forbes. | Animation by Matt Sandbrook. | Audio-visual operation by John Anderson. 

Cast : Lily – Eleanor Rosser-Smyth  | Bear – Ross Hobson | Puppet operation and narration – Katy Bingham-Best.

LILY AND BEAR  22nd Oct | Royal Albert Hall  |11 am and 2pm Elgar Room

https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2022/lily-and-bear-3/

Gilbert and Sullivan 

Designs on tour  2022/23 

Top: Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore
Bottom: Gilbert and Sulivan's Pirates of Penzance 

Designed and painted by Paula Chitty

Based on the book by Lisa Stubbs. 
Produced by Lily and Bear Productions

Adapted for the stage by Paula Chitty | Direction and Production design by Paula Chitty. | Producers David Bennett and Paula Chitty. | Music by Jill Priest. | Arranged by David Forbes. | Animation by Matt Sandbrook. | Audiovisual operation by John Anderson. 

Cast at The Arts Depo were: Lily – Eleanor Rosser-Smyth  | Bear – Ross Hobson | Puppet operation and narration – Katy Bingham-Best.

LILY AND BEAR  5 June 2022  | The Arts Depo | 11 am and 2pm