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    Provocative two-hander
    What's On Stage
    Turner and McDiarmid are terrific
    The Daily Telegraph

Bakersfield Mist Tickets

Duchess Theatre

Legendary actors Kathleen Turner and Ian McDiarmid star in Stephen Sachs’ all-new comedy of manners Bakersfield Mist, which follows a woman who finds a painting in a thrift store. Upon discovering what she believes to be an original Jackson Pollock, down-on-her-luck Maude calls up art expert Lionel Percy to investigate. When the two meet, all they seem to do is clash heads in this funny and insightful play.

Multi-award winning actress Kathleen Turner returns to the London stage to star in Stephen Sachs’ delightful comedy of manners Bakersfield Mist. Opening at the West End’s Duchess Theatre, Bakersfield Mist is a new play reportedly inspired by true events, questioning what makes art and people truly authentic.

Bakersfield Mist follows down-on-her-luck bartender Maude, who discovers what could be an original Jackson Pollock at the thrift store. Convinced that the painting is worth something, she contacts art expert Lionel Percy to come and inspect the work, all the while dreaming of her own fame and fortunes. But when the self-important Percy arrives, he is less than impressed by Maude and her modest trailer park home. Soon, a discussion ensues about the value of “real art” and the two clash in a war of words, bashing each other’s class and backgrounds.

Broadway star Kathleen Turner returns to the West End for her third starring role, opposite Olivier and Tony Award-winner Ian McDiarmid. Turner is well-known for her tour-de-force performance in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, as well as The Graduate and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She has extensive screen credits, including appearances in hit sitcom Friends and Californication. McDiarmid is best-known for his villainous role in the Star Wars films as well as the 2006 Broadway revival of Faith Healer.

Directed by Evening Standard Award-winner Polly Teale, Bakersfield Mist features sound design by Jon Nichols, lighting design by Oliver Fenwick and design by Tom Piper. A quick-witted comedy of manners, Bakersfield Mist will have audiences questioning themselves as they change their sympathies between the two leads. Teale’s production opens at the Duchess Theatre for a limited run beginning in May 2014.

Sorry this show closed 09 August 2014, we recommend these similar productions.

Player Kings
The Mousetrap
Performance dates:
28 Jul 2014 - 09 Aug 2014
Running time:
1 hour and 25 minutes.
Age recommendation:
Recommended for 12+
Audience Notes:
Recommended for adults, Bakersfield Mist is a quick-witted and insightful play that can be enjoyed across broad audiences. Starring two legendary actors, this is an amazing opportunity to see them unite live on stage!
Categories:

Latest Audience Reviews

Good show and good seats

A touching drama, well played by the two powerhouse performances from Kathleen Turner and Ian McD... More

I was invited to the show by a friend, and was happy to see Kathleen Turner on the stage. The pla... More

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