How To Direct A Funeral
All Reese wants is a job.
All Kit wants is to direct funerals.
And all Mrs Baitman wants is... well... the most eccentric, outlandish funeral known to man.
In Madeleine James’ debut play, we follow Reese as she arrives at Thomas Funeral Directors hoping to land a job. During her interview, Kit is called away urgently and in the meantime Reese is asked for a small favour: meet with the recently widowed Mrs Baitman and write down every request for her late husband’s funeral. There’s just one rule—say yes to everything.
Little does Reese know, Mrs Baitman has some interesting ideas up her sleeve. From one misunderstanding to the next, every attempt to organise the perfect send-off only makes matters worse. Miscommunication mixes with incompetence and the funeral plans spiral out of control. Mrs Baitman’s increasingly bizarre demands push Reese and Kit to their limits.
Reese and Kit try to prove they’re capable of directing a funeral, yet they must somehow satisfy a client whose imagination knows no bounds, whilst also upholding a family business’ reputation. But the question is: can they pull off the funeral of Mrs Baitman’s dreams, or will it become a disaster that no one will ever forget?
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Important Information about the Venue:
The Cemetery will be closed at the starting time of the performance. Therefore, we kindly ask that you meet at the cemetery entrance: Robson Gate. There will be volunteers who will escort you to the Chapel. Please ensure that you arrive no later than 6:30pm. Due to operational requirements, anyone arriving later than this time will not be permitted.
There is a W/C in the venue. However, this will not be accessible during the performance due to the layout of the staging. If anyone has any access needs then please let us know when you arrive.
There is limited heating in the venue, so please wrap up warm - blankets are more than welcome!
Finally, we ask that you stay until the end of the performance, as volunteers will be escorting people off the cemetery grounds safely, in groups and not individually. Looking forward to seeing you on Friday for the performance!
Cast and Crew
Writer: Madeleine James
Director: Danny Buttfield
Running time: 50 mins
Date & Time: Friday 23rd October @ 7pm - St. Stephen's Chapel
Contains strong language, depictions of death, grief, references to suicide and scenes some viewers might find distressing. This production also includes flashing lights and sudden loud noises.
Audience Guidelines
Latecomers will not be admitted. Ticket purchases are non refundable.
Concession prices apply to students; under 18s; pensioners; those on disability and unemployment benefits; Equity, BECTU & SDUK members.
The Bread & Roses Theatre is an unfunded venue that continues to operate on ticket sales only. Donations help support independent arts and theatremakers, an essential step in preserving the future of fringe theatre.
Venue: St Stephen's Chapel
St Stephen's Chapel is a newly restored Grade II listed building situated within West Norwood Cemetery's Hellenic Enclosure and is surrounded by heritage in a peaceful and serene setting. The Chapel's ornate columns and shape of its roof are in the classic Doric style of Greek architecture, dating back nearly three thousand years.
Built in the 1870s and commissioned by Stephen and Marietta Ralli to remember their son, Augustus, who died suddenly died aged 16, the building contains the Cella, the Chapel's central space and hand painted ceiling and a side vault and mortuary.
Its restoration has created new opportunities for community access, learning, and cultural events and presents as a wonderful filming location for the 21st century.
St Stephens Chapel is fully accessible and has toilet facilities.
In relation to How To Direct A Funeral: The Cemetery will be closed at the starting time of the performance. Therefore, we kindly ask that you meet at the cemetery entrance: Robson Gate. There will be volunteers who will escort you to the Chapel. Please ensure that you arrive no later than 6:30pm. Due to operational requirements, anyone arriving later than this time will not be permitted. There is a W/C in the venue. However, this will not be accessible during the performance due to the layout of the staging. If anyone has any access needs then please let us know when you arrive. There is limited heating in the venue, so please wrap up warm - blankets are more than welcome! Finally, we ask that you stay until the end of the performance, as volunteers will be escorting people off the cemetery grounds safely, in groups and not individually. Looking forward to seeing you on Friday for the performance!"
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