An Incredible Story
TOM, DICK & HARRY
The Daring Escape from Stalag Luft!!!
A New Vic and Kenny Wax production
Fri 10 June – Sat 9 July
Artspod Review: Tom, Dick & Harry ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The true story about ‘the great escape’ is the subject of the New Vics current comic theatre masterpiece, written by Andrew Pollard and Michael Hugo. The Steve McQueen film is well known, of course, and there are great moments of acknowledgement in this production to the 60’s blockbuster movie, but the play sheds new light on this classic story. Comedy is used to great effect from the outset where the German guards are wondering why they are speaking English. Then we are introduced to the on stage button which automatically changes German to English and vice versa. The plot is fast moving and full of superb physical theatre using the unique New Vic’s ‘theatre in the round’ to its fullest – intertwining with the audience up and down the stairs, on the balcony and for those who have opted for the seats on the stage a bit of impromptu audience participation. Clever lighting and fast moving dialogue by the super-talented cast takes us into the prisoners world as they try to outwit the German guards, including impressive displays of bravery and fitness with a high speed bicycle racing full circle around the back of the auditorium and ladders coming down from the lighting rig to make the audience feel like you are deep underground with the cast.
A fantastic evenings family entertainment; funny, exciting, moving and, as with all the best live theatre, leaving the audience feeling completely uplifted – as could be seen by the standing ovation at the end.
Tom, Dick and Harry, inspired by the true story behind the escape from Stalag Luft III in World War II, has its world premiere at the theatre-in-the-round this summer.
Tom, Dick and Harry, brought to the stage by the team behind Around the World in 80 Days, has started its run at the New Vic which goes on until Saturday 9 July. Co-written by New Vic favourites Andrew Pollard (Educating Rita, Around the World in 80 Days, Peter Pan in Scarlet) and Michael Hugo (Marvellous, Coppelia – A Mystery, Captain Amazing) alongside New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins (Marvellous, Beauty and the Beast, Coppelia – A Mystery), this co-production with Kenny Wax Ltd (The Play That Goes Wrong, Six The Musical) will be filled with dynamic drama, humour and breath-taking theatricality.
Directed by New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins and using top secret information from the war archives, classified until 1972, this brand new play will debunk the myths, honour the people involved and tell the true story of the most daring escape attempt in World War history!
The cast will include co-writers Michael Hugo and Andrew Pollard, alongside fellow New Vic favorites Perry Moore (Tale Trail to Prince and the Pauper, Robin and Marian, Peter Pan in Scarlet) and Nicholas Richardson (Astley’s Astounding Adventures, Beauty and the Beast). Joining them will be Sam Craig (Wild Wing Doves (Sign Your Name), Above the Stag Theatre, London); David Fairs (The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, New Vic; As You Like It, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men UK & International tour); Andrius Gaučas (Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare’s Globe); Dominic Thorburn (Kenneth Branagh’s Macbeth, UK and New York; One Man Two Guvnors, West End); and Eddy Westbury (Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Mischief Theatre, West End).
New Vic Artistic Director, and Director of Tom, Dick and Harry, Theresa Heskins said: “Delving into the archives, we learned that this legendary escape was a huge international collaboration. We were determined to share that aspect of the history, even though developing and casting the play during a pandemic, with travel so restricted, made for a special challenge. We’re glad that our cast’s heritages and lived experiences – from Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, East Africa, the Americas, Canada, Germany – reflect both the global alliances at the heart of this remarkable story, and the inclusive country we live in today.”
Tom, Dick and Harry runs at the New Vic until Saturday 9 July 2022, before transferring to Alexandra Palace in London. For more information visit newvictheatre.org.uk.
Tom, Dick and Harry at the Alexandra Palace Theatre, London 26 July – 28 August
SYNOPSIS
1943. A prisoner of war camp in Nazi occupied Europe. Above ground, is a prison impossible to escape. But below ground, the prisoners spy an opportunity.
For these are not ordinary prisoners.
Serial escapees, the prisoners held in Stalag Luft III begin an exhilarating game of cat and mouse with their captors. Hiding their covert activity in plain sight with gymnastic exercise, choir practice and cabbage growing (!), the men tunnel deep into the ground beneath the camp’s huts, and soon the most intricate, most audacious, greatest escape of them all is underway…
Using top secret information from the war archives, classified until 1972, this brand new play will debunk the myths, honour the people involved and tell the true story of the most daring escape attempt in World War history!
Sam Craig – CJ
This is Sam’s first appearance at the New Vic.
Theatre credits include: Wild Wing Doves (Sign Your Name) at Above the Stag Theatre, London. Sam studied Acting at the Liverpool Theatre School from 2018-2021.
David Fairs – Giesler
For the New Vic: The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart.
Theatre credits include: Tiger Country (Hampstead Theatre); As You Like It (The Lord Chamberlain’s Men – UK & international tour); Hamlet – Sam Wanamaker Festival (Shakespeare’s Globe); I Know You Of Old (Royal Shakespeare Company’s Dell); The Captain of Kopenick, The Collection, Richard II, Edward Bond’s Lear, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (Edinburgh Festival); The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance (Cambridge Arts Theatre); The Blue Bird (Theatre503 & UK tour); Steven Berkoff’s Messiah (Dalston Bunker); Tomorrow Creeps (The Vaults); Macbeths (Hope Theatre); Is He Earnest? (Katzpace); Othello (Chelsea Theatre); Orion and the Dark (Half Moon Theatre & UK tour); Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest (Drayton Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (West London Sinfonia); Peter Brook’s The Man Who (The Albany); Slave (Broadway Theatre Barking); The Common Touch (The White Bear); Tales from the Tube (Etcetera Theatre); Puddles (R&D workshop for Shoreditch Town Hall).
Television and film credits include: Comedy Quickies (BBC Three); Byker Grove (BBC One); Be The Business (The Edge Picture Company); For Her (NUA films); Room for Ali (48 Hour Film Project).
Radio and voiceover credits include: Reluctant Persuaders (BBC Radio 4); Samson and Delilah (BBC Radio 3); Rwanda – Places of Memory (Cambridge Film Festival).
David is also a founding member of GOLEM! Theatre Company, for which he has written four plays; he co-developed the multi-lingual (English / British Sing Language) script of Icarus for Vault Festival; he recently directed an independent film of The Importance of Being Earnest, and adapted and directed Hugo Blick’s television series Up In Town for the stage; his adaptation of Messiah – Scenes from a Crucifixion will be performed at this summer’s Edinburgh Fringe.
David trained at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Andrius Gaučas – Janáček
This is Andrius’ first appearance at the New Vic.
Theatre credits include: Hamlet, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Imaginary Invalid, The Beggar’s Opera, Three Sisters (Kaunas National drama Theatre); Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Pericles, Ghost Stories, Deep Night Dark Night (Shakespeare’s Globe).
As a professional dancer he has also appeared in many performances and Galas.
In 2017 Andrius started teaching improvisation and voice at Vytautas Magnus University as a guest lecturer.
Andrius is a Lithuanian actor living in London. After receiving classical training at Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre he began his acting career on stage at the National Kaunas Drama Theatre and in 2017 he completed his MA studies at East15 Acting School in London.
Tom Hardman– Understudy Janáček / Huber / Bob / Fritz
This is Tom’s first appearance at the New Vic.
Theatre credits include: Frankenstein (Royal Exchange Theatre); Seagulls (Oldham Coliseum / Manchester ADP); Through the Mill (Hope Mill); Lionman (Dapertutto); A Wonderland Winterland (Walking Theatre Company); Heart of Light (Forrest Tribe Dance Theatre); Love Blood or Water (Up ‘ere Productions); Macbeth (Cream Faced Loons); Bird’s Nest Billy (Fidget Theatre).
Television credits include: Coronation Street (ITV); Our Zoo (BBC, Big Talk Productions); Doctors (BBC); Brothers (UCLan, That’s Lancashire TV).
Tom trained at UCLan’s Acting course.
Michael Hugo- Huber / Bob
For the New Vic: Marvellous, Tale Trail to Coppelia, The 39 Steps, Around The World In 80 Days (co-production with Kenny Wax Family Entertainment, Simon Friend and Royal Exchange U.S.A tour); The 39 Steps, Astley’s Astounding Adventures, Cyrano (co-production with Northern Broadsides); Peter Pan In Scarlet (co-production with The Oxford Playhouse); The Lady Killers (co-production with Hull Truck); The Borrowers, Far From the Madding Crowd, Where Have I Been All My Life, Alice in Wonderland, The Admirable Crichton, Proof, The Rivals, Peter Pan, The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, The Wicked Lady, Great Expectations, Stags and Hens, Christmas Carol, Pinocchio, Kes.
At the New Vic: They Don’t Pay, We Won’t Pay, The Winter’s Tale, The Grand Gesture, Accidental Death of an Anarchist, The Canterbury Tales, Lisa’s Sex Strike, The Tempest, Vacuum (Northern Broadsides).
Theatre credits include: Cinderella (Lawrence Batley Theatre); Frozen (Fingersmiths); The Hunt for the Scroobius Pip (Sticks Theatre Co.); Wind in the Willows (Birmingham Rep); Broken Time (Three Stones Media); Peter Pan (Spiller’s); Breaking the Code (Chester Gateway); Babes in the Wood, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Oldham Coliseum).
Television and Commercial credits include: Coronation Street (ITV); Hero Goalie (Abbot Meade Vickers BBDO); I’m With Stupid (BBC); Sir Gadabout (Alibi Productions); A Right Charlie, The Collector.
Joshua Lyster- Understudy Jimmy / CJ / Landry
This Is Joshua’s first appearance at the New Vic.
Theatre credits include: Glory (Red Ladder Theatre); The Race (Tamasha Theatre).
Television credits include: Eastenders (BBC); The Real McCoy Sketch (The One Show, BBC).
Film credits include: Lady of Heaven (Enlighted Kingdom); The Nightingale (RAaW London).
Joshua trained at NYT Rep Company.
Perry Moore- Fritz
For the New Vic: Marvellous, Hoard: Rediscovered, Tail Trail to the Prince and the Pauper, Cyrano (co-production with Northern Broadsides), Peter Pan in Scarlet (co-production with Oxford Playhouse), Robin Hood and Marian, Larksong, The Throne, Unearthed.
At the New Vic: Hard Times (Northern Broadsides).
Theatre Credits Include: Pride and Prejudice; The Merry Wives of Windsor; The Jungle Book (Storyhouse Theatre – Open Air Season); The Old Curiosity Shop (Oxford Playhouse); Stanley at the Beaufort War Hospital; London Road (Bristol Old Vic).
Television and Film Credits Include: You Don’t Know Me (Netflix / BBC); Brassic (Sky One); Doctors, Being Human (BBC); London Road (National Theatre); Unhallowed Ground (Aviary Films); Last Date (Omni Productions).
Radio Credits Include: Homefront (BBC Radio 4).
Perry trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Andrew Pollard- Lederman / Wings
Andrew has developed and written Tom, Dick and Harry along with Theresa Heskins and Michael Hugo. He is extremely excited that, from a seed of an idea over 3 years ago, we are now able to actually see the show come to fruition.
For the New Vic: Around the World in 80 days, Talent, Diane of Dobson’s, The Ladykillers, Ghosts, Far from the Madding Crowd, Where Have I Been All My Life, Spring and Port Wine, The Admirable Crichton, The Rivals, Alphabetical Order and The Graduate, Educating Rita (co-production with the Dukes Theatre).
At the New Vic: Medea, School for Scandal, Macbeth, King John and The Merry Wives (Northern Broadsides).
Theatre credits include: To Sir With Love (Birmingham Rep); Life’s A Drag (Contact Theatre); Hayfever, Sleeping Beauty, Babes in the Wood and Perfect Days (Oldham Coliseum); Arsenic and Old Lace and The Lonesome West (Keswick Theatre by the Lake); The Rivals (Theatr;e Royal Bath); A Night at the Bijou (Natural Theatre); Whose Dog Is It Anyway? (JB Shorts); Comedy of Errors (Ludlow Shakespeare Festival); Search Light Over the Bemmy (Tobacco Factory), Cinderella (Halifax Victoria); Marat / Sade (Bristol Old Vic); The Picture of Dorian Gray (American Drama Group); Dick Whittington (Theatre Royal Northampton); A Taste of Honey (Moffat Little Theatre Co); Puss in Boots, Robin Hood, Aladdin, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Mother Goose, Dick Whittington and Sleeping Beauty (Greenwich Theatre).
Television credits include: Hollyoaks (Lime Pictures); Trying Again (Sky One/Avalon); Coronation Street and Emmerdale (ITV); Coup (Channel 4); Jodie and Mary (ITN); Spooks: Liberty (BBC / Kudos Television).
Nicholas Richardson – Landry
For the New Vic: Beauty and The Beast, Astley’s Astounding Adventures.
Television credits include: Wu-Tang: An American Saga (Hulu); FBI (CBS); Younger (TV Land); The Looming Tower (Hulu); Genius (National Geographic).
Film credits include: Goodbye Christopher Robin (Fox Searchlight Pictures).
As writer and performer: The Most Powerful Human On Earth, Mr. Fox (HERE Theater in NY)
Nicholas trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Dominic Thorburn- Ballard
This is Dominic’s first appearance at the New Vic.
Theatre credits include: Kenneth Branagh’s Macbeth (UK and New York); One Man Two Guvnors (National Theatre at the Haymarket – West End); Our Country’s Good (Out Of Joint); Sir Peter Hall’s Henry IV I and II (Theatre Royal Bath); A Month in the Country (Gate Theatre in Dublin); Henry V and The Winter’s Tale (Propeller).
Dominic also regularly voices commercial campaigns for well known brands as well as high profile Video Games, TV shows and Audiobooks.
Dominic trained at Drama Centre London.
Eddy Westbury- Lucky Jimmy
This is Eddy’s first appearance at the New Vic.
Theatre credits include: Comedy About a Bank Robbery (Mischief Theatre’s tour and West End).
Eddy is a graduate of the Acting BA at Arts Ed Drama School.
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