The Lady in the Van
Melbourne Theatre Company
‘Guaranteed to please absolutely everyone.’
Daily Telegraph
In 1974 Alan Bennett befriended Miss Mary Shepherd, an eccentric, cantankerous and rather smelly old lady. She ‘temporarily’ parked her dilapidated van outside Bennett’s London home – and stayed for 15 years.
The Lady in the Van is a mostly true story of the fascinating relationship between the award-winning British writer and his long-term guest. Was she a fugitive on the run? A talented pianist? A nun? Or just an old lady struggling with mental health and homelessness?
Touching, uplifting and heartbreakingly funny, The Lady in the Van is classic Alan Bennett. Share the fondness and frustrations of the legendary writer as he navigates life with a very peculiar tenant in this moving, bittersweet comedy.
Best-known for the celebrated 2015 film starring Maggie Smith, this incredible new stage production stars international icon Miriam Margolyes (I’ll Eat You Last) as Miss Shepherd and Daniel Frederiksen (Abigail’s Party) as Alan Bennett, directed by Dean Bryant (An Ideal Husband).
‘One of the saddest, funniest and most
distinguished offerings for years.’
Sunday Times
Miriam Margolyes discusses the upcoming production The Lady in the Van.
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