THE true dramatisation of business letters between a young struggling writer in New York and an antiquarian book store in London are the backdrop to the latest play at Teignmouth’s Ice Factory Theatre Studio by the Teignmouth Players.

The book of 84 Charing Cross Road came about as a result of correspondence between a writer in America and a small antiquarian bookshop in Charing Cross Road, London. 

Helene Hanff was a playwright, though not well known at the time, who loved English Literature and started writing to Marks and Co.’s shop at 84 Charing Cross Road as it was easier to have books delivered by post than go out and look for them. 

As a result, she formed a relationship with first the manager, Frank, and then the rest of the staff, at this small but well stocked artisan bookshop.

Marnie Devereux as Helene Hanff in Teignmouth Players’ production of ‘84 Charing Cross Road
Marnie Devereux as Helene Hanff in Teignmouth Players’ production of ‘84 Charing Cross Road (Photo by Teignmouth Players)

This relationship lasted for twenty years with Hanff always meaning to make the trip to London to meet the workers she had grown to know over the years. Did she ever make it to London? That would be too much of a giveaway. 

The book was adapted in to a play by James Roose-Evans six years ago and has been performed almost continuously since then.

The play is directed by Jeremy Holloway, whose daughter lives in Comox on Vancouver Island and, tucked away in a small bookshop in this small coastal town, is where he found 84 Charing Cross Road. 

Jeremy started his theatrical career at Poole Arts Centre in Dorset where he was a technician working with the likes of actors such as David Jason and bands including Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Dire Straits.

He then attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Stage Management course and went on to stage manage theatre companies as far away as Colchester, Milford Haven, Cumbernauld and Paignton. Jeremy also ran the Acorn Arts Centre in Penzance for three years.

Locally, Jeremy has conceived (jointly) and run the TRAIL project in Teignmouth and Dawlish, is chair of Dartington Playgoers and runs his own theatre company (Ratchet Theatre Company). 

Producing this play does require a very good cast of course, especially the two main protagonists, Helene and Frank, and fortunately this play has exactly that.  Marnie Devereux, who plays Helene, has trained in theatre previously and spent a few years in America s is ideally suited to playing her part.

Roger Tarrant, who presents a nervous, albeit conscience and punctilious character makes for an Excellent Frank.  Other parts are equally challenging with a plethora of props (three and half pages) and movements to negotiate.

For a book about letters this is a very complex production, but one that is certainly a challenge for director, Jeremy Holloway, whose forty years in theatre came in very useful.

Jeremy has been to the Ice Factory Studio theatre three times previously, but then it was with his own theatre company, Ratchet Theatre.  And for anyone who knows the Ice Factory, getting two sets on one stage is also a challenge, the audience is certainly close to the action!

► The play runs from Wednesday to Saturday, July 5 to 8, then Thursday to Saturday July 13 to 15, at 7.30pm.

► Ticket prices –  £10 opening night.

► Other nights tickets available here or call 01626 778991