Terry Johnson’s Ken
The Bunker, 53A Southwark Street London SE1 1RU
Wednesday 24th January – Saturday 24th February 2018
Marking the ten year anniversary of the death of the truly original and unclassifiable Ken Campbell, Terry Johnson’s Ken will be opening The Bunker’s bold spring season this year. This production follows a highly successful run at Hampstead Downstairs and pays tribute to the maverick writer and theatre director.
Olivier and Tony Award-winning writer Terry Johnson (Prism, Hampstead Theatre; Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick, National Theatre; Dead Funny, Hampstead Theatre and West End) and Jeremy Stockwell (Playtime, Derby Playhouse; Milligan, Madness & Me, Pleasance Theatre; Spitting Image, Channel 4) will be reprising their roles in this joyful production.
1978, London. A 23-year-old aspiring playwright in a rundown flat-share off the North End Road is wrestling with his masterpiece for the Royal Court. The house phone rings, the young man answers… it is a call for the person who used to occupy his room who has recently moved to Amsterdam. But even once this information is imparted, the man at the other end doesn’t hang up. He’s called Ken. And he’s about to change the young man’s life forever.
Terry Johnson comments, Ken Campbell was a true original – a theatrical maverick, unique comedic thinker, legendary practical joker and an inspiration to many of us. He was also my friend, champion, and occasional nemesis. 2018 is the tenth anniversary of his death. Following our enjoyable and cathartic run at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs in 2016, I’m so proud to have the opportunity to present our tribute to a wider audience at The Bunker. For those who knew him, I hope we’ve evoked his spirit as you remember him. For those who never met him; hold on to your seats. Our show is an enjoyable, unpredictable, slightly bonkers journey in the company of the most influential man I ever met. Please join us.
Directed by Theatre503’s Artistic Director Lisa Spirling (In Event of Moon Disaster, Theatre503; Jumpy, TheatreClwyd; Deposit, Pine and Fault Lines, all Hampstead Theatre Downstairs), Ken is the retelling of an extraordinary friendship from beginning to end, replete with wickedly funny anecdotes, magnificent hoaxes, and general chaotic lunacy – all infused with the spirit of the great man…
The Bunker’s Spring Season sees the venue truly celebrate its place as a playground for ambitious and adventurous audiences, just over a year after it first opened its doors. The exciting season highlights the venue’s commitment to work with brilliant playwrights, both established and emerging.