Vailplays.co.uk - Press Room. Look here for news releases and press information about Alexander Vail Plays.
Stageplays (Full-length, One-act and micro-plays) by Alexander Vail
Forthcoming Alexander Vail productions
Previous Alexander Vail productions
Alexander Vail production photos
Contact Alexander Vail productions
Journalism and other writing by Alexander Vail
© Alexander Vail 2002-2009
h
There are no current press releases. For press comment or editorial text, please email me
and I will respond within 24 hours.
Current publicity can be found
Freelance journalism and other writing can be found
British Playwright Selected for US Playwriting Competition! 16/09/05
A short play by Alexander Vail has been selected for performance in California, at the Sacramento 2-Page Play Festival.
Help the Aged, a sketch Vail wrote for a Tsunami benefit show earlier this year, has beaten over 2650 other entries from all over the world to be performed at the festival, which runs from now until 30th October. This will be the first time one of his plays has been performed outside the UK.
Help the Aged is a charming sketch about a young couple who drive up outside a family party, only to be accosted by an old lady who has climbed into the wrong car. When the lady realises her mistake, she accuses them of attempting to kidnap her. This bizarre episode is based on a true story, and stands as a warning that no matter how batty an old dear may seem, the pointy end of an umbrella should never be argued with!
This presents something of a double-whammy for Vail, whose full length play In Vino Veritas will also receive its debut performance next week in the West End.
In Vino Veritas is powerful drama about a successful writer who has everything. Then, during the course of a party to celebrate his latest success, his darkest secret is unleashed, and everything he has built crumbles before his eyes. This controversial new play is set to examine the minefield that adultery, deceit and paedophilia presents for the modern celebrity.
Asked how he felt about winning the place in the Sacramento festival, Alexander said “I’m bowled over. To have two different plays being produced on different sides of the Atlantic at the same time is amazing!” But he is disappointed not to be able to attend. “The prize money might cover a coach trip to Bexhill, but return flights to the States are out of the question!”
Vail said recently that he would like to take a show to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2006, and he admits that he is working on a new play for the festival, with “frocks and wigs and loads of period romping”, though he won’t say any more about it. We’ll obviously have to wait to see what he comes up with next!
Help the Aged will be performed by the SacActors Group at Geery Theater in Sacramento, California, from 16th September – 30th October.
In Vino Veritas will be performed as a staged reading at 2pm on Sunday 25th September, at the Studio Theatre, Covent Garden. To be among the first to see this work, please contact the Theatre Museum box office on 020 7943 4750.
For information about
the Theatre Museum, go to www.theatremuseum.org.
Information about the playwright can be found at www.VailPlays.co.uk.
The website for the 2-Page Play Festival can be found at www.sacactors.com.
In Vino Veritas Production Photos:
The In Vino Veritas cast in rehearsal here
Andy Solts, playing the lead role of Jonathan Hampton here
(other photos with varying dpi values are also available on request)
London Playwright Heads ‘Up West’! 02/09/05
A controversial new play is set to examine the minefield that adultery, deceit and paedophilia presents for the modern celebrity.
In Vino Veritas, the latest piece by playwright Alexander Vail, is powerful drama about a successful writer who has everything. Then, during the course of a party to celebrate his latest success, his darkest secret is unleashed, and everything he has built crumbles before his eyes.
This will be the first play by Vail to be performed in the West End, and is produced in association with the Theatre Museum, as part of their ongoing programme of new work.
The Theatre Museum’s Malcolm Jones says that Vail is a “confident and creative writer”, whose work “contains great charm, style and wit”. He goes on to say that Alexander “has an obvious enthusiasm for what he wants to do which makes him a pleasure to work with”.
This will not be the London-based playwright’s first taste of success; other plays (Parisienne Ladies, Help the Aged and a pantomime, Snow White), have been performed to acclaim in regional and amateur theatre over the last few years.
Asked how he reacted to the Theatre Museum’s proposal, Alexander replied, “Ecstatic, but slightly terrified, because this will be the first time an audience has seen this play in any form.” He continues: “I am extremely grateful to the cast and director, who have donated their time and talents to make this dream a reality.”
Alexander has said that he would like to take a show to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2006, but he hasn’t decided which play he plans to use. We’ll obviously have to see how this production goes!
In Vino Veritas will be performed as a staged reading at 2pm on Sunday 25th September, at the Studio Theatre, Covent Garden. To be among the first to see this work, please contact the Theatre Museum box office on 020 7943 4750.
For
information about the Theatre Museum, go to www.theatremuseum.org.
Information about the playwright can be found at www.VailPlays.co.uk.
Local Playwright Hits the West End! 02/09/05
Local playwright Alexander Vail, whose pantomime caused a storm in Beckenham last Christmas, has been asked to put on a new play in the West End, in association with the Theatre Museum.
Alexander Vail’s third full-length play to be produced, In Vino Veritas is the story of a successful writer who has everything. Then, at a party to celebrate his latest success, a dark secret is unleashed, and everything he has built crumbles before his eyes.
The play examines the snowballing consequences of adultery, and takes a close and topical look at nature of modern fame and the pitfalls of celebrity culture.
The Theatre Museum’s Malcolm Jones says that Vail is a “confident and creative writer”, whose work “contains great charm, style and wit”. He goes on to say that Alexander “has an obvious enthusiasm for what he wants to do which makes him a pleasure to work with”.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a great success when it was performed at Beckenham Theatre. Artistic Manager Craig Seamons, said “Snow White was the most financially successful show we have ever produced. Alexander’s pantomime surpassed all of our expectations.”
Asked how he reacted to the Theatre Museum’s proposal, Alexander replied, “Chuffed, but slightly terrified, because this will be the first time an audience have seen this play in any form.” He continues: “I am extremely grateful to the cast and director, who have donated their time and talents to make this dream a reality.”
Alexander has said that he would like to take a show to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2006, but he hasn’t decided which play he plans to use. We’ll obviously have to see how this production goes!
In Vino Veritas will be performed as a staged reading at 2pm on Sunday 25th September, at the Studio Theatre, Covent Garden. To be among the first to see this work, please contact the Theatre Museum box office on 020 7943 4750.
For
information about the Theatre Museum, go to www.theatremuseum.org.
Information about the playwright, can be found at www.VailPlays.co.uk.
New pantomime from local playwright 07/12/04
Young local playwright Alexander Vail’s new pantomime receives its world debut this December at Beckenham Theatre Centre, Beckenham.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is eagerly anticipated, as it is the second Vail play to be produced at Beckenham Theatre. His debut, Parisienne Ladies was performed there to acclaim in 2002, and since then his work has been under consideration by several theatre production companies and the BBC.
Alexander said, “I grew up in Beckenham, so to see one of my shows being produced in my home town is a major thing. I couldn’t be more excited or nervous if it was the West End or Broadway!”
Asked what he thought of the show’s jump from the page to the stage, Vail replied “It has been such an amazing transformation. I’m really proud of everyone involved. This has just been a fantastic year all round really. There has been a lot of interest in my work, and now to see a full scale production of this quality is just astounding.”
Asked about his future, he said “I’m still only 24, so I’m just starting out, really. I’ve got a number of television and radio projects underway at the moment, and hopefully I’ll be able to take a show to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2005 or 2006 – so fingers crossed!”
The show will run for two separate weeks over the Christmas and New Year period, from 16th - 22nd December 2004, and 2nd - 9th January 2005.
A registered charity open to members and their guests, Beckenham Theatre Centre is always delighted to welcome new members. For information about tickets or joining, please call the Box Office on 07905 744991 or the membership secretary on 020 8402 4695.
For more information about the playwright, please visit www.VailPlays.co.uk.
World premiere of new pantomime at Beckenham 07/12/04
Beckenham Theatre Centre is staging the world premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a new pantomime by local playwright Alexander Vail.
The traditional pantomime (with a modern twist or two), was written this year and is highly topical, so there is enough to keep the grown ups interested, while the slapstick humour is fun for children of all ages.
In
it, Princess Snow White joins a cast of colourful characters, including:
· Witchypoo (the dame, played excellently by 6’4” baritone
David Cox),
· Hoppit and Cliroff (the dame’s stupid sons – James
Mercer and Martin Bunyan)
· Evil Queen Arachnida (played wickedly by Fiona Dalton)
· Trixabelle (the batty fairy godmother - Sarah Bedells)
· The Seven dwarfs - Humpy, Grumpy, Stumpy, Lumpy, Rumpy, Pumpy
- and Bob!
Can Snow White stop King Elvis’ marriage to the beautiful, but dastardly Queen Arachnida? Can the dwarfs - Humpy, Grumpy, Stumpy, Lumpy, Rumpy, Pumpy and Bob - protect the princess? Will Prince Valentino arrive in time to save his one true love from a fate worse than death? And will the people of Graceland ever find out what happened to good Queen Priscilla? This fast paced adventure, with music, song and dance, is fun for all the family!
The show will run for two separate weeks over the Christmas and New Year period, from 16th - 22nd December 2004, and 2nd - 9th January 2005.
A registered charity open to members and their guests, Beckenham Theatre Centre is always delighted to welcome new members. For information about tickets or joining, please call the Box Office on 07905 744991 or the membership secretary on 020 8402 4695.
For information about forthcoming productions, please visit the Beckenham Theatre Centre website: www.beckenham-theatre.co.uk.