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Sky Comedy Rep Artwork. A composite image of eight diverse comedians sitting on a park bench in front of a bright yellow background.

Sky Comedy Rep presents Parklife

A Festival of New Comedy Writing

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The rising stars of the comedy world are showcasing never-before-seen work in Parklife, the second Festival of New Comedy Writing from Sky Comedy Rep.

Discover the funniest writers from across the country as they present a series of hilarious one-act plays, directed by Alice Chambers, Dewi Johnson and Lorna Laidlaw, with each performance hosted by one of our special guest comedians: Celya AB, Scott Bennett, Lou Conran, Tal Davies and Darren Harriott.

The theme of all these plays: a proposal in a park.

Come along for miscommunication, mayhem, midnight trysts, sworn enemies, un-arranged marriage, an eco-protest, vampires, a bust of Jesus, fishing… and a whole lot of funny.

This festival is the culmination of our comedy writing talent development scheme with Sky Studios. Headed by Rep Artistic director, Sean Foley, and Sky Creative Director of Comedy, Anil Gupta, with script development leadership from Dec Munro, this bursary and mentorship scheme gives early-career comedy writers the opportunity to have their ideas and scripts developed in collaboration with the finest talents in the industry.

This year’s mentors include Sanjeev Bhaskar, Morwenna Banks, and Daniel Lawrence Taylor.

Tickets

From £15

Presented by

Sky Comedy and Birmingham Rep

Directed by

Alice Chambers, Dewi Johnson and Lorna Laidlaw

Running Time

Approximately 105 mins including a 20 minute interval

Age Guideline

14+

Content Advice

Some performances contain strong language and adult themes. For more information click here.

Access Performances

Audio Described Performance: Sat 27 May 3pm & 8pm (audio described by Julia Grundy and Carolyn Smith)

BSL Interpreted Performance: Sat 27 May 3pm & 8pm (interpreted by Harjit Jagdev)

Running Order

There are 8 plays in total. 4 plays will be shown in each performance  (Set A & Set B). See below for performance schedule.

To see all 8 plays, select a Set A and Set B performance.

Special Offers

3 for 2: Add 3 shows into your basket and at checkout enjoy 33% off each production for Spring 2023 Events T&Cs apply – Find Out More

Teens Go Free: Receive one complimentary young persons ticket (13-19 years) when you book one standard ticket for selected productions. Discount will be applied automatically at checkout when you add both tickets to your basket. T&Cs apply – Find Out More

Fees and charges

Please note there is a transaction fee of £2.50 on all payment types. Please click here for more information.

Watch the trailer

Find out more about each play...

Set A Performances

BLACK MEN FISHING
by Mahad Ali
Debo and Remi head to the local pool for a day of fishing, and father and son bonding, but rather than fish, they’re both about to catch a big surprise…

 

TREE SHALL NOT, TREE SHALL NOT BE MOVED
by Doug Crossley

Gideon is determined to save his favourite tree from the chop. He’s enlisted his Grandad and Mother to help, but they don’t see eye to eye these days. As the chainsaws close in, can this divided family maintain a united front?

 

ARRANGED NIKAH
by Hattie Soykan

When Pinar arranges to meet Gamze in the park, it’s not the only arrangement she’s made for her daughter. But Gamze’s come to the park to say something, and it’s not “I do”.

 

BRUK POCKET GYAL
by Asia Wray
Bruk Pocket Gyal focuses on three sixth formers from Birmingham, with a history of scheming to make ends meet. Upon learning of Michelle’s impending eviction, the trio enter the local community dance competition. As the self proclaimed Beyoncé of the group, Michelle leads the charge with her stiff counterparts as support.

Set B Performances

PATCH
by Alice Etches

At the allotment, Nigel, Cynthia and Maddy want to share their life changing news with each other, but saying things out loud is never easy, especially when the slugs are trying eat Nigel’s prized vegetables.

 

IMMACULATE
by Aoife Kennan

Bella is 28, which is nearly 30, and that’s basically 40, which might as well be 60! She’s running out of time to have a baby, unless her best friend Tom can help, but they can’t make a baby together… can they?

 

THE START OF A BEAUTFUL FRIENDSHIP
by Georgie Morrell

Mollie is running for election to the school council, best friend Nasreen is doing her best to help, but they’re nerds. They have a decision to make, attend a party held by the most popular girl in school to win votes, or call forth the powers of the Dark Lord.

 

SUCKERS
by Tom Critch

England is rife with blood sucking vampires. Enter our heroes Abner and Theo, on a mission to save humanity by killing evil things, starting at the local park.

Hosts

Performance Schedule

Set A will take place on: Mon 22 May at 8pm, Wed 24 May at 3pm, Thu 25 at 8pm and Sat 27 at 3pm.

Set B will take place on: Tue 23 May at 8pm, Wed 24 May at 8pm, Fri 26 at 8pm and Sat 27 at 8pm.

To see all 8 plays, select Set A and Set B performances when booking.

The Plays & Writers - Set A

The Plays & Writers - Set B

Meet the company...

Company

Alison Belbin
Ambika Sharma
Delilah Tahiri
Ewen Cummins
Jack Mullings
Jada-Li Warrican
Jason Furnival
Jess Lloyd Jones
Natalia Campbell
Qasim Mahmood
Sabrina Nabi
Sarah Twomey
Simran Kular
Tijan Sarr

Creative Team

Dramaturgy

Dec Munro

Associate Director for Birmingham Rep

Madeleine Kludje

Set Designer

Ebrahim Nazier

Lighting Designer

Richard G. Jones

Sound Designer

Clive Meldrum

Casting Director

Marc Frankum

Costume Director

Kay Wilton

Production Team

Production Manager

James Dawson

Lighting Programmer

Joe Ralph

Sound No. 1

Ryan Darby

Set built by The Rep Workshop Team

Lighting Prepped and Practicals made by The Rep Lighting Team

Sound prepped by The Rep Sound Team

Costumes made and sourced by The Rep Wardrobe Team

Scenic Painting by The Rep Paintshop Team

Stage Management

Company Stage Manager

Hannan Finnegan

Deputy Stage Managers

Evie Richardson
Kayleigh Cooper

Assistant Stage Manager

Mollie Isham

Special thanks to Sutton Park National Nature Reserve

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