A wonderful evening of poems, readings, excerpts from stage plays, clips and songs celebrating playwright Bernard Kops.
A year after his death, JW3 is celebrating the extraordinary life and works of the vital Jewish voice of Bernard Kops on Sunday 16 February at 7.30pm. The evening will include extracts from his fantastical and surreal poems and stage plays including his defining The Hamlet of Stepney Green.
With poetry, songs, readings and stories as to why Bernard Kops so inspired them, the cast in Celebrating Bernard Kops includes the oldest surviving actor from Bernard Kops’ first original work, the glorious 99-year-old Thelma Ruby, who starred as Bessie Levey in Hamlet of Stepney Green (Lyric Hammersmith 1958, directed by Frank Hauser). She will be joined on stage by actors George Layton (BBC Radio’s Hamlet of Stepney Green), Tracy-Ann Oberman (Call in the Night), Elliott Levey and Jack Klaff; with Esta Charkham, the original Romaine Swartz in Enter Solly Gold (Mermaid Theatre 1970) who went on to become a renowned TV and film producer, casting director and agent.
Bernard‘s writing students are flying in from the States especially to be part of this celebratory evening for Bernard Kops including the Award-winning documentary film-maker Jill Campbell and actress and producer Katharine Cullison who starred in the world premiere of Kops’ The Dark Outside in the UK and then US, and US premiere of Playing Sinatra Off Broadway.
Bernard Kops’ family will also be attending including his daughter Hannah who married Mark Burman – they then introduced their fathers, Bernard and composer David Burman who then went on to work together on Dreams of Anne Frank in 1992!
The evening will include the poignant and comic songs from Dreams of Anne Frank, to be sung by Jacqui Dankworth whose wonderfully unique voice will bring out the pure genius that is Bernard Kops and the music of David Burman.
Celebrating Don Black: 2 March
JW3 will be Celebrating Don Black on Sunday 2 March at 7.30pm. Joining the line up is Anita Dobson, Don's close friend who starred opposite Adam Faith in the original production of his musical Budgie, will be telling tales and performing. Songs will be performed by West Enders Debbie Chazen, Jos Slovic, Jack Reitman and Brady Isaacs Pierce – with more surprise guests to be announced! Live on stage discussing their collaborations with Don will be playwright Christpoher Hampton who co-wrote the book and lyrics for Sunset Boulevard and many other collaborations together; composer Frank Wildhorn with who he wrote Bonnie and Clyde and Dracula The Musical; not to mention composer Debbie Wiseman with whom Don is currently writing the musical Feather Boy and Maureen Lipman telling stories on her very good friend Don! BOOK NOW
Listings
Date - Sun 16 February 2025 7:30pm
JW3, 341-351 Finchley Road, London, NW3 6ET
Tickets: £20: Create booking | JW3
Further Information: Celebrating Bernard Kops | JW3