Losing Louis
Simon Mendes da Costa's play, Losing Louis, is a black comedy, first premiered at Hampstead Theatre on 26 January 2005 and later transferred to Trafalgar Studios. The original cast included Alison Steadman, Lynda Bellingham and Brian Protheroe.
Secrets that refuse to remain buried erupt as family members are brought togetgher, after years of segregation to face it all out in the bedroom - the place where all the confusion began. (Taken from the original promotion leaflet)
Characters
The 1950s
- Louis Judah Ellis, A married man,
- Bobbie Ellis, His wife,
- Bella Holland, his mistress.
Present Day
- Tony Ellis, Louis's eldest son,
- Reggie Ellis, Louis's youngest son,
- Shelia Ellis, Tony's wife,
- Elizabeth Ellis, Reggie's wife.
Notable productions
| Role | The Original Cast, Hampstead Theatre and Trafalgar Studios (January - June, 2005) | The UK Tour, March 2006 | The Australian Premiere - Ensemble Theatre, June 2006. | Broadway premiere - Biltmore Theatre - October - November 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelia | Alison Steadman | Alison Steadman | Amanda Muggleton | Michelle Pawk |
| Elizabeth | Lynda Bellingham | Rula Lenska | Linden Wilkinson | Patricia Kalember |
| Tony | David Horovich | David Horovich | George Spartels | Mark Linn-Baker |
| Reggie | Brian Protheroe | David Cardy | Andrew McFarlane | Matthew Arkin |
| Louis | Jason Durr | Ben Porter | Christopher Tomkinson | Scott Cohen |
| Bobbie | Emma Cunniffe | Sue Appleby | Amanda Bishop | Rebecca Creskoff |
| Bella | Anita Briem | Hannah Watkins | Octavia Barron-Martin | Jama Williamson |
| Director | Robin Lefevre | Robin Lefevre | Andrew Doyle | Jerry Zaks |
Quotations
- Elizabeth: YOU CAN HAVE THE FUCKING CLOCK!