The Birthday Party

New to Tagora?

See this page to find out (almost) everything you need to know.

02 February 2025
- Online reading: ”Cocktail Sticks” by Alan BennettOnline reading: ”Cocktail Sticks” by Alan BennettTime: 11:00
  Tagora’s play-reading season of 2025 begins with an online reading of “Cocktail Sticks” by Alan Bennett. Bennett was born and brought up in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Winning a scholarship to Oxford, he found early fame by teaming up with Jonathan Miller, Peter Cooke and Dudley Moore in their joint creation of the satiric revue “Beyond the Fringe”. Now 90, he continues to devote his life to writing not only for the stage and screen (notably “The Madness of King George”, “The History Boys”, “The Lady in the Van” and the series Talking Heads) but also as a novelist and autobiographer. “Cocktail Sticks” is a reflective short play in which Bennett looks back on his early life and particularly the eccentricities of his parents. The play was first produced at the Royal National Theatre in 2012, directed by Nicholas Hytner. There are three major parts, Bennett, Mam and Dad, and a succession of small roles, doctors, nurses, vicars, etc. If you’d like to join us, please contact Tagora using the contact form on this website, letting us know whether you wish to read or listen. Online via Zoom + Google calendar