Guildburys Theatre Company Park Up At The Electric

Published on: 7 Apr, 2017
Updated on: 30 Mar, 2017

The Lady in the Van, starring Maggie Smith, was one of the film hits of 2015 and now the Guildburys Theatre Company is bringing the original play, complete with a real van, to the Electric Theatre in Guildford.

The production will be performed at 7.45pm from Wednesday, May 3 to Saturday May 6.

When Mary Shepherd parked her van on a street in London, no-one knew what to expect. The neighbours complained, but one took a particular interest and invited her to move on to his driveway, where she remained for 15 years until her death. That neighbour was playwright Alan Bennett.

Guildburys’ director Eddie Woolrich said: “If you enjoyed the film, or even if you haven’t seen it, then come and see the original stage version. The play is surprisingly funny, tender and beautifully observed and is one I have wanted to direct for some time. It poses some technical challenges for the production team, most of all getting a van on stage, but we’ve now tracked one down and are recreating the home in which Miss Shepherd lived for decades.”