Wallace Shawn and Helen Smith at the National Theatre, London

Helen Smith will be appearing in a post-show discussion with Wallace Shawn at the National Theatre, London, after a production of his new play, Evening at the Talk House, on Friday 27 November, chaired by Chris Campbell, Literary Manager of The Royal Court.

The world premiere of Evening at the Talk House is directed by Ian Rickson. More about the cast and creatives here.

A reunion at the almost legendary club, The Talk House.

Still presided over by the kindly Nellie, there’s the same genteel atmosphere, the familiar drinks and the special snacks.

The playwright, the composer, the actress.
The former television star brutally beaten up.
The possibility of a pleasant night.

Just relax. Nothing has changed. These are nice people.

Wallace Shawn plays Dick in his own play, Evening at the Talk House. His writing includes the plays A Thought in Three Parts, The Designated Mourner, Marie and Bruce, Aunt Dan and Lemon, Our Late Night; and the book, Essays. His theatre work as an actor in England includes My Dinner with André, Aunt Dan and Lemon, Grasses of a Thousand Colours (Royal Court); and his one-man play, The Fever (Royal Court, National Theatre, and on tour). Films include, with André Gregory, My Dinner with André, Vanya on 42nd Street, and A Master Builder (also translator/adapter); Manhattan, Radio Days, Clueless, Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills, The Moderns, Prick Up Your Ears and The Double. TV includes Taxi, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Murphy Brown, Gossip Girl and The Good Wife.

Helen Smith is a novelist and playwright. Her work includes the novels The Miracle Inspector, Alison Wonderland and Being Light; the Emily Castles Mysteries; and children’s books, poetry and plays. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, The Crime Writers’ Association, Killer Women and English PEN, and the founder of BritCrime, She has appeared at literary events and festivals in the UK and US, and her work has been read or performed at the National, Royal Festival Hall, V&A Museum of Childhood, Amnesty International’s Headquarters, Edinburgh Festival and University of London.

Chris Campbell is Literary Manager of the Royal Court, and was the NT’s Deputy Literary Manager for six years. He has translated French plays for the National, Almeida, Donmar, Traverse and Young Vic, among others. As an actor he has worked at theatres such as the National, Royal Court, Traverse, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Birmingham Rep and Gate, and recently appeared in Trois Ruptures/Three Splits (Chelsea Theatre/The Print Room), and the film, The Iron Lady. He was appointed Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 2014.


Tickets here.