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 - Irrational presents The Hangling Bandits at The Hope and Anchor. London.
The Hanging Bandits are a folk rock four-piece from Hertfordshire. Their influences include musicians like Bob Dylan, Father John Misty, Lankum and The Jam, although a lot of the band’s songs are inspired by hip hop and songwriting they all love. Into the mix, theyhave developed a style which combines folk with aspects of grunge and brit-pop and emphasises lyricism, usually focused around working-class life and themes of friendship and society.
Their debut album Domesticated Animals was released last year and the band is very close to releasing their second album The Captain’s Last Words.
Kicking-off on Wednesday 5th March 2025 at The Hope and Anchor | Upper Street | London N1, london's most famous Live Music venue ( hopeandanchor.info)
www.irrationaltheatre.co.uk Leaflet Design Paula Chity
Irrational presents - Irrational presents The Hangling Bandits at The Hub on Verualm . St Albans
The Hanging Bandits are a folk rock four-piece from Hertfordshire. Their influences include musicians like Bob Dylan, Father John Misty, Lankum and The Jam, although a lot of the band’s songs are inspired by hip hop and songwriting they all love. Into the mix, theyhave developed a style which combines folk with aspects of grunge and brit-pop and emphasises lyricism, usually focused around working-class life and themes of friendship and society.
Their debut album Domesticated Animals was released last year and the band is very close to releasing their second album The Captain’s Last Words.
Kicking-off on Wednesday 5th March 2025 at The Hope and Anchor | Upper Street | London N1, london's most famous Live Music venue ( hopeandanchor.info) Then at The Hub on Verulam, St Albans on Wednesday 12th March at 7.30pm www.ticketsource.co.uk/mytickets
www.irrationaltheatre.co.uk Leaflet Design Paula Chity
https://lightroom.uk/whats-on/vogue-inventing-the-runway/ VOGUE: Inventing the Runway is a spectacular new immersive exhibition exploring the history of the fashion runway show, from the intimate couture salons of the early 20th century to the unforgettable pop-culture events of the present. Narrated by Cate Blanchett, the show utilises Vogue’s remarkable archive and contributor network to create an experience that brings together the industry’s leading voices from the past, present, and future.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
John Gabriel Borkman, once an illustrious entrepreneur, has been brought low by a prison sentence for fraud. As he paces alone in an upstairs room, bankrupt and disgraced, he is obsessed by dreams of his comeback. Downstairs, his estranged wife plots the restoration of the family name. When her sister arrives unannounced, she triggers a desperate showdown with the past.
Ibsen’s most contemporary play, in a new version by Lucinda Coxon, is gripping, penetrating and savagely funny.
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
