Old Fools’ At Southwark Playhouse To Raise Funds For Alzheimer’s Research UK

Old Fools by Tristan Bernays (Boudica Shakespeare’s Globe 2017) will hit the stage at Southwark Playhouse from 14 March to 7 April, with the production choosing to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

The play tells the story of Tom and Viv, their life and the love they’ve shared together from first spark to dying light, but not necessarily in that order. It’s a surprising, funny and touching tale about a couple, one of whom is living with Alzheimer’s, and their enduring efforts to hold their relationship together through the years.

The run will coincide with the Alzheimer’s Research UK Research Conference 2018, taking place in London on 20-21 March, which will see over 500 researchers gather to discuss the latest findings in dementia research.

The play includes actors Mark Arends, who originated the lead role in the landmark Almeida/Headlong production of George Orwell’s 1984 (“the superb Mark Arends plays Winston Smith as a feverish wreck hollowed out by angst” Evening Standard ****) and Frances Grey, known for her leading roles in television series such as Messiah and Home Fires, as well has her recent performance as Paulina in The Winter’s Tale at The Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh (“Beautiful, dignified and passionate as Leontes’s wronged wife Hermione” The Scotsman ****).

The production will raising funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK during the run, and will hold a special fundraising Gala Night performance to coincide with the last night of the Research Conference on Wednesday 21 March.

On this night, the show at 8pm will be followed by a panel discussion on Alzheimer’s and its creative representation on stage. Chaired by Laurie Brett (EastEnders, Waterloo Road, Les Miserables) the panel includes Tristan Bernays, the playwright; Tim Parry, Director of Communications at Alzheimer’s Research UK and a researcher working to find new treatments for the condition. For this night only the ticket price will be £30, instead of the usual £20 price, with the difference being donated to Alzheimer’s Research UK by the production (please note reduced pricing/concessions will not apply to this performance).

Book your tickets now online and for every group of ten people, the eleventh person can also attend for free – whether the group is booked at full price or concession rate.