Taken at Midnight Tickets
Theatre Royal Haymarket
Award-winning actress Penelope Wilton stars in a new play by Mark Hayhurst as part of Chichester Festival Theatre’s Hidden Histories season. Directed by Jonathan Church (Singin’ in the Rain), Taken at Midnight follows Irmgard Litten, mother of celebrated lawyer Hans Litten who placed Hitler on the witness stand during a famous trial, as she faces the brutal Nazi regime at her own personal risk.
Following a critically acclaimed sell-out season at Chichester Festival Theatre, Mark Hayhurst’s compelling new drama Taken at Midnight transfers to the Theatre Royal Haymarket for a strictly limited season. Directed by Jonathan Church (Singin’ in the Rain) and starring Penelope Wilton, Taken at Midnight follows the mother of celebrated lawyer Hans Litten, famous for putting Hitler on the witness stand in the 1930’s.
Set in 1931, Taken at Midnight is Hayhurst’s theatrical debut, documenting lawyer Hans Litten, who makes a dangerous move during the trial of a group of brutal SA men. Calling Herr Hitler to the stand, Litten questions him incessantly, letting him feel the full force of his quick wit. Two years on, during the night of the Reichstag fire, Hitler gets his revenge by arresting Litten without trial. At huge personal risk, Litten’s mother Irmgard confronts her son’s captors with a fearless and resolute attitude, fighting for his release against the overbearing might of the Nazis.
Acclaimed actress Penelope Wilton stars as Irmgard, returning to the West End for the first time in five years. Well-known for her award-winning role in Downton Abbey, Wilton is also renowned for her Talking Heads monologues, as well as her roles in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Calendar Girls. Further cast members include Martin Hutson as Hans Litten, John Light as Dr Conrad, Mike Grady as Carl von Ossietzky and Pip Donaghy as Erich Muhsam, alongside Allan Corduner, David Yelland, Marc Antolin, Christopher Hogben and Dermot McLaughlin.
Directed by Jonathan Church, Taken at Midnight features music by Matthew Scott, lighting design by Tim Mitchell and sound design by Mike Walker. A tale of the unquestionable love a mother has for her son throughout the height of an irrepressible regime, Taken at Midnight is a hard-hitting drama that studies the horrors of pre-war Nazi Germany. Starring Penelope Wilton, Taken at Midnight transfers to the Theatre Royal Haymarket opens for a limited season beginning in February 2015.
Set in 1931, Taken at Midnight is Hayhurst’s theatrical debut, documenting lawyer Hans Litten, who makes a dangerous move during the trial of a group of brutal SA men. Calling Herr Hitler to the stand, Litten questions him incessantly, letting him feel the full force of his quick wit. Two years on, during the night of the Reichstag fire, Hitler gets his revenge by arresting Litten without trial. At huge personal risk, Litten’s mother Irmgard confronts her son’s captors with a fearless and resolute attitude, fighting for his release against the overbearing might of the Nazis.
Acclaimed actress Penelope Wilton stars as Irmgard, returning to the West End for the first time in five years. Well-known for her award-winning role in Downton Abbey, Wilton is also renowned for her Talking Heads monologues, as well as her roles in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Calendar Girls. Further cast members include Martin Hutson as Hans Litten, John Light as Dr Conrad, Mike Grady as Carl von Ossietzky and Pip Donaghy as Erich Muhsam, alongside Allan Corduner, David Yelland, Marc Antolin, Christopher Hogben and Dermot McLaughlin.
Directed by Jonathan Church, Taken at Midnight features music by Matthew Scott, lighting design by Tim Mitchell and sound design by Mike Walker. A tale of the unquestionable love a mother has for her son throughout the height of an irrepressible regime, Taken at Midnight is a hard-hitting drama that studies the horrors of pre-war Nazi Germany. Starring Penelope Wilton, Taken at Midnight transfers to the Theatre Royal Haymarket opens for a limited season beginning in February 2015.
Sorry this show closed 14 March 2015, we recommend these similar productions.
Performance dates:
18 Feb 2015 - 14 Mar 2015
Running time:
2 hours and 30 minutes including an interval.
Venue:
Age recommendation:
Recommended for ages 12+
Audience Notes:
Those interested in history will find this well-documented play an interesting insight into pre-war Nazi Germany. Fans of Penelope Wilton will enjoy seeing her perform in this acclaimed role.
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