The Lady In The Van - New Wolsey Theatre

The Lady In The Van

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Presented by Gallery Players

First a book, a play and then a film,The Lady in the Van tells the true story of Alan Bennett's strained friendship with Miss Mary Shepherd, an eccentric homeless woman whom Bennett befriended in 1974 before allowing her ‘temporarily’ to park her Bedford van in the driveway of his Camden home.

For Alan Bennett charity truly began at home but little did he know that she would remain there for fifteen years.
This wonderfully witty play centres on their extraordinary relationship, which for Bennett was a source of intrigue, frustration and compassion.

"One seldom was able to do her a good turn without some thoughts of strangulation”.

As Alan Bennett very candidly admits ,he and Miss Shepherd mutually benefited from her presence; he provided her with a safe haven while she acted as his muse, providing endless humorous material with her rude interactions with the outside world.

The story is funny, poignant and life affirming.

The Lady In The Van is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd. This is an amateur production presented as part of the New Wolsey’s annual Open Season. Find out more by browsing the Creative Learning section of our website.


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