Thirty-six comic sketches from the cherished playwright Michael Frayn, author of Noises Off and Skios. Pocket Playhouse brings the stage to the page, providing a tour de force of theatrical imagination and satire, revealing the author’s infectious delight in writing between the lines of theatre, fiction and comedy.

*** This event was rescheduled from the beginning of March, moved to later in the month due to adverse weather conditions ***

*** PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VENUE HAS NOW CHANGED FROM THE LAKESDIE THEATRE TO ESSEX BUSINESS SCHOOL ***

*** Here is a map with travel and car park information provided by the University – the venue is on the North side of campus, so if you are unfamiliar with the University, please read the instructions carefully to ensure you use the right entrance and car park, otherwise it’s quite a long walk! ***

FESTIVAL 4 – MULTIPLE EVENT OFFER: This year we are offering four events for the price of three on selected talks – Just choose any four events with the ‘Festival 4’ symbol when booking in person, over the phone or online.

Praise for Matchbox Theatre:

“[Matchbox Theatre] is a delicious jeu d’esprit, and every page is stamped with Frayn’s comic genius.” Sebastian Shakespeare, Tatler

“One of the few authors to have had huge success with both theatrical and novelistic fictions has combined the best of both in a lovely book.” Mark Lawson, Guardian

“He seems to be writing for the sheer pleasure of writing . . . It’s like watching the
most abstract, highbrow TV sketch show you can imagine.” Marcus Berkmann, Spectator

Michael Frayn was born in London in 1933 and began his career as a journalist on the and the Guardian and Observer. His novels include Towards the End of the Morning, Headlong, Spies and Skios. His seventeen plays range from Noises Off, recently chosen as one of the nation’s three favourite plays, to Copenhagen, which won the 1998 Evening Standard Award for Best Play of the Year and the 2000 Tony Award for Best Play.