Fri 4 October 2019

Theatre critics and celebrities attend press night for A Day in the Death of Joe Egg at Trafalgar Studios

When the late Peter Nichols wrote the ground-breaking play A Day in the Death of Joe Egg in 1967, it was inspired by his own personal experience of bringing up his disabled daughter. A story about family, the funny and moving play shines a light on her parents’ caring for their daughter, who is affectionately nicknamed Joe Egg.

Now more than five decades later, a revival of this funny and moving masterpiece is now playing at Trafalgar Studios starring Toby Stephens (Oslo, Lost In Space), Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), Patricia Hodge (Miranda, Downton Abbey), and Storme Toolis, an actor who herself suffers from cerebral palsy. This is the first time in the play’s West End history that a disabled actor has been cast in this pivotal role. They are joined by Clarence Smith (The Firm, RSC) and Lucy Eaton (Daisy Pulls It Off, A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

Following the press night on Wednesday night (2 October), The Metro said the show was ‘Heartbreaking. Funny. Full of bravery’ whilst the Evening Standard claimed Joe Egg was ‘Pin-sharp. Heartbreaking and funny.’ The Arts Desk called the production ‘A celebrated tragi-comic masterpiece. MAGNIFICENT!’ and in a review for The Guardian, theatre critic Michael Billington praised the excellent performances from the cast. The Telegraph also commented that the production was a ‘worthy tribute’ to Peter Nichols.

Special guests attending the red carpet event at Trafalgar Studios included Andy Serkis, Lorraine Ashbourne, Tina Hobley, Maureen Lipman, Tyger Drew-Honey, Nina Sosanya, Nigel Harman, Kathy Lette and broadcasting legend, Angela Rippon.

The cast and crew celebrated the press night with an after show party at Picturehouse Central in London.

A Day in the Death of Joe Egg runs for a limited season until 30 November.