THE Father, a multi award winning play by Florian Zeller, takes an honest and unsentimental look at the life of Andre, a man who’s reality is slowly disintegrating around him. 

Now 80, Andre was once a tap dancer, and lives in his flat in Paris, regularly visited by his daughter Anne and her husband Antoine. Or was he an engineer that now lives with Anne and her new lover, Pierre? The problem is, he is still wearing his pyjamas and can’t find his watch – was it taken by one of the strange people who keep turning up at his flat? 

The Father was turned into a film of the same name in 2021 starring Anthony Hopkins, who won a Best Actor Oscar for his gripping performance. 

Staged by Harlow Theatre Company at the Victoria Hall Theatre, Old Harlow, the play features a host of new and returning actors. Taking on the lead role of Andre is Bernard Moule, who had previously retired from acting but was convinced to make a return to star in the production. 

Long time HTC performers Vanessa Wood and Steve Hannam are stepping up to the challenge of playing Andre’s daughter, Anne, and her partner Pierre, and we are thrilled to welcome Jo Gladstone to HTC, who many people will recognise from Heath Players, Victoria Hall Christmas shows and many more. 

Finally, HTC are delighted to welcome back Stuart Coombe, who took part in his first production earlier this year, and introduce Georgia Bryson who, after graduating with a degree in Acting, joins us from Bishops Stortford. 

Mel Richards, Director, said “It’s a challenging play both to direct and perform. You follow things through Andre’s eyes so people, timelines, places etc all shift – as an audience you never really know what is reality and what is Andre’s imagination.

We are now halfway through rehearsals and the cast have already stepped up to the task brilliantly. They are working incredibly hard and I am very excited to see what happens over the next couple of months. 

Most people have some experience or understanding of dementia and the devastating impact it has on people’s lives. We hope to bring a truthful and real portrayal of the highs, lows, moments, memories and losses dementia brings and takes with it.”

The Father is running 13th to 16th November at the Victoria Hall Theatre, Old Harlow. Tickets available at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/harlowtheatrecompany.