★★★★ “Richard Speir’s assured direction steadily builds tension through the taut scenes” – The Stage
★★★★ “Richard Speir’s direction complements … to create a tense and uncomfortable piece” – The Spy In The Stalls
★★★★ “Meticulously curated, from the writing to the direction” – Broadway World
★★★★ “The plot twists in this riveting production drew audible gasps” – London Theatre1
★★★★ “Thriller-esque in its execution” – The Reviews Hub
★★★★ “Boasting a talented cast, skilled direction and complex subject matter, Gentleman … is a captivating and engaging piece.” – Westend Wilma
★★★★★ “From time to time a play comes along that ticks every box and gives a surprise treatment to a contemporary topic.” – Broadway Baby
★★★★★ “You truly think you're part of the journey” – London Fringe Theatre Reviews
“Richard Speir doesn’t put a foot wrong” – Everything Theatre
“You’ve got to throw yourself in, yeah? Do you see? Have to throw yourself right in, whatever that entails.”
Class struggles combine with the erasure of bisexual identity as two young men struggle to fit in at one of England's top universities. Matt Parvin’s blistering new drama tests the limits of retribution and the power of social status at university.
Freshers’ term. Greg has taken to university life like a duck to water. Kasper is struggling to fit in.
Summoned to a mediation session with Kasper and the college welfare officer to discuss an accusation of plagiarism, Greg deftly argues his way out of trouble. But when the allegations evolve into something altogether more damaging, how long can Greg remain untouchable?
Gentlemen examines what happens when culture turns toxic, and how a fear of not fitting in risks everyone losing out.
By Matt Parvin
Arcola Theatre / October 2023
Design / Cecilia Trono
Lighting / William Alder
Sound / Jamie Lu
Movement Director / Ana Beatriz Meireles
Vocal Coach / Rachel Coffey
Fight Director / Joe Golby
Assistant Fight Director / Lucy Wordsworth
Casting Director / Nick Hockaday
Assistant Director / Olivia Munk
Production Manager / Will McLeod
Stage Manager / Tilly Kirkwood
Assistant Stage Manager / Oliwia Rokowska
PR / Flavia Fraser Cannon
Marketing Consultant / Holly Adomah
General Manager / HD General Management
Photography / Alex Brenner
Artwork: Mihaela Bodlovic, additional post-production by Jamie Lu.
Cast
Issam Al Ghussain, Charlie Beck and Edward Judge
The production was originally programmed for March 2020 but delayed due to COVID after a full rehearsal period. The original team working on the production was as follows:
Design / Cecilia Trono
Lighting / Geoff Hense
Sound / Beth Duke
Voice & Dialect / Danièle Lydon
Fight Direction / Keith Wallis
Assistant Director / Lucy Waterhouse
Photography / Alex Brenner
Cast
Danny Kirrane, Will Merrick and Ralph Prosser
