
Kindred Spirits
by Ross McGregor
produced by the Jack Studio Theatre
The Jack is back this Christmas with the premiere of a hair-raising comedy that celebrates the festive spirit!
Headstrong and obstinate writer Jeremy Roland cannot believe his luck when he inherits an idyllic country cottage, the perfect hideaway to escape Christmas and write his latest crime thriller.
However, there is a catch. A mysterious ghostly presence haunts his new home, and it’s not long before Jeremy finds the calm of his writer’s retreat thrown into chaos and mayhem, as the characters in his book unexpectedly take on a life of their own.
Kindred Spirits is produced by the critically-acclaimed and award-winning team behind Hound of the Baskervilles, Cinderella & The Invisible Man.
Press for this production
If there is one thing you can rely on it is that the Christmas offering at the Brockley Jack Studio will both surprise and delight, and this year’s offering is a real bobby dazzler… The evening belongs to everyone… If you are looking for a happy and hilarious Christmas show this is it. ★★★★ ReviewsGate
Ben Higgins has the audiences in stitches, plays each role with perfection and is definitely an actor to look out for in the future. Rachel Summers’ contrasting depictions of the romance-obsessed Lily and Russian gangster Natalya are fantastic – even more so when she breaks into song and showcases her talented vocals too. Bryan Moriarty plays stiff upper-lipped Jeremy Roland alongside renegade private detective Harry Lambert. His shift between the two characters is remarkable, at times switching between the two rapidly, only using the well-utilised varying lighting and sound cues from Robbie Butler and Julian Starr… McGregor is definitely destined for success with this multifaceted masterpiece. ★★★★ The Reviews Hub
The cast of three work wonders with accent and costume changes – Moriarty fantastic morphing between uptight Jeremy and hardnosed private detective while Summers and Ben Higgins play multiple roles brilliantly. Kate Bannister’s direction gives the silliness a sophisticated touch, with Robbie Butler’s lighting and Julian Starr’s sound design adding wonderful atmosphere, especially in the film noir pastiches. Kindred Spirits is great fun – gangsters, ghosts, romance and laughs – all you could ask for at Christmas. ★★★★ Fairy Powered Productions
Kindred Spirits is an utterly delightful comedy and just the tonic for long dark nights and our present renewed pandemic gloom… Director Kate Bannister… clearly has a talent for directing comedy. Credit must also go to lighting and sound designers Robbie Butler and Julian Starr (who also composed the incidental music, whilst the songs are composed by Joseph Hardy), and Karl Swinyard, whose set design provides an elegant backdrop to the mayhem of the action that is carried off with aplomb by the cast of Bryan Moriarty, Rachel Summers and Ben Higgins. This is fringe seasonal comedy as a beacon of fun in glum times. Go get yourself a piece of it. British Theatre Guide
you won’t be disappointed with this hugely impressive comedy production… you’ll be hooked from the start. Superbly entertaining festive tale, overflowing with quality acting. Southwark News
A very pleasant production at the end of a very unpleasant year, it’s the right kind of stage entertainment at the right time. ★★★★ London Theatre 1
Speaking of refreshing… that’s what this show is: a festive touch sprinkled on a unique multi-genre, multi-role play that pays homage to one of the greatest of Christmas season stories yet creates its own place in history. Clearly, Ross McGregor knows how to pen his own story. ★★★★ London Pub Theatres
The cast, consisting of Bryan Moriarty, Rachel Summers and Ben Higgins, under the detailed technical direction of Kate Bannister, take all of this in their stride, incorporating musical theatre, hard-boiled detective drama, English manners and stylised cartoon to create an amusing and technically adept festive comedy. Broadway Baby
NOMINATED FOR A STANDING OVATION AWARD: ‘This multi-layered show displays impressive comedy work (from the writing to direction & acting), excellent technical proficiency & a beautiful set’. London Pub Theatres
NOMINATED FOR THREE OFF WEST END AWARDS: Production, Sound Design (Julian Starr), Direction (Kate Bannister)
Creative Team
Kindred Spirits by Ross McGregor
Directed by Kate Bannister
Set Design: Karl Swinyard
Costume Design: Martin J Robinson
Lighting Design: Robbie Butler
Sound Design and Composition: Julian Starr
Song Composition: Joseph Hardy
Assistant Director & SM: Maddy Corner and Laurel Marks
Dance Choreography: Tessa Guerrero
ASM: Beverley Cramb
Design Assistant: Vita Sunshine
Casting: Brigid Lohrey
Produced by the Jack Studio Theatre
Cast
Player 1: Bryan Moriarty
Player 2: Rachel Summers
Player 3: Ben Higgins
Kindred Spirits is great fun – gangsters, ghosts, romance and laughs – all you could ask for at Christmas.
★★★★ Fairy Powered Productions
multifaceted masterpiece… engaging and entertaining
★★★★ The Reviews Hub
If there is one thing you can rely on it is that the Christmas offering at the Brockley Jack Studio will both surprise and delight, and this year’s offering is a real bobby dazzler
★★★★ ReviewsGate