THE COMMON PURSUIT
10th May - 20th July 2008
This sharp comedy charts the progress of a group of Cambridge undergraduates who launch a literary publication – The Common Pursuit.
Fresh, determined and gifted, their joint venture brings them together in friendship, hope and the promise of a bright future. But as the years go by the friends find it hard to stay true to the ideals of their youth in the world beyond…
A study in how friendships evolve and outlast their original form, Gray’s play is as defined a study of friendship now as it was when it was first performed nearly 25 years ago.
Cast includes:
Ben Caplan (The Passion – BBC; Two Thousand Years – NT), James Dreyfus (Gimme, Gimme, Gimme; Cabaret – West End), Nigel Harman (Eastenders; Guys & Dolls – West End); Robert Portal (39 Steps – West End); Reece Shearsmith (League of Gentlemen; The Producers – West End) and Mary Stockley (Ballet Shoes – BBC; Look Back in Anger - Theatre Royal Bath).
 |
 |
 |
| Nigel Harman | James Dreyfus | Reece Shearsmith |
Director Fiona Laird most recently directed Cinderella by Stephen Fry at the Old Vic Theatre, the world premiere of Arnold Wesker’s play Longitude at Greenwich Theatre and her other work includes Oh! What A Lovely War for the National Theatre.
Playwright Simon Gray was born in 1936. His other plays include: Butley, Otherwise Engaged, Quartermaine’s Terms and The Old Masters. He also written many plays for television and radio, several novels and numerous memoirs including The Smoking Diaries, The Year Of Jouncer, Fat Chance, Enter A Fox and most recently The Last Cigarette. He lives in London.