No Picnic is a rewarding piece of original
theatre. It’s subversive, clever and leaves an audience
satisfied they’ve seen a good story, well told: even if
it’s not a story suitable for bedtime.
Entertainment Focus
No Picnic is another world premiere for the
Tabard. It's not hard to imagine this play being picked
up by a bigger theatre interested in new writing. It is
fresh, with a good blend of what is challenging, quirky,
clever – and funny. ChiswickW4.com
Greg Freeman’s dark and funny play could be
described as a mixture between Tim Burton, Terry
Pratchett and The Simpsons, with its sudden twists and
offbeat comic timings. The dialogue is fast and
quick-witted but also looks at profound questions about
morals, aging, self esteem and the human need to control
others. Whatsonstage.com
Invited to a picnic in the woods, Alfie, Ludovic and Julius witness a
disturbing incident that seriously alters their
existence. In an unreal world that meets reality, three
cuddly bears who cannot lie and a weird doll that can,
embark on a precarious journey to save their skins.
No Picnic marks the third Greg Freeman
show at the Tabard Theatre following the seminal
critical smashes of Doig and Beak Street.
Greg
Freeman edited and adapted the only ever successful
version of an American Sitcom 'Who's The Boss' which
became 'The Upper Hand' (ITV). He has since developed a career in the theatre.
Writing credits include the Time Out Critics Choice
shows of Doig... and Beak Street
A (Tabard Theatre), Last Bus to Paradise
(Underbelly, co-wrote
and winner of the London New Play Festival) Take (Old
Red Lion) Kathmandu (Menier Chocolate Factory and
Pleasance Edinburgh) and Wake up and smell the coffee
(New End Theatre).
'Theatre that from concept to execution is utterly
bonkers but quite brilliant'
Timeout Critic's Choice for Greg
Freeman's Doig
Click here for full review
'a testament to Freeman's faith in his
imagination and ours'
Timeout Critic's Choice for Greg
Freeman's Beak Street
Click here for full review
'anyone who takes a seat at the Tabard, bringing
their brain-box, with them will be proud to be one of
the earliest to recognise its quality' Richmond &
Twickenham Times on Greg Freeman's Doig
Click here for full review
'a fine and powerful play that pulls no punches' Sutton
Guardian on Greg Freeman's Beak Street
Click here for full review
No Picnic is directed by Ken
McClymont who
directed and designed Greg Freeman's previous shows
Doig... and Beak Street. He is also the
former Artistic Director of The Old Red Lion Theatre.
Whilst there he directed over thirty premieres incl:
Waiting for the Angels, Murder In Bridgport, Diaspora
Jigs and Life After Life. Revivals include:
A Chaste
Maid In Cheapside (Old Red Lion) and The Slab Boys (Old
Red Lion) which won Best Production of a Comedy Award (LFA).
In 1989-90 he won an Outstanding Contribution to Fringe
Theatre Award for programming of an exceptional standard
at the Old Red Lion.
