Maureen Lipman will bring her late husband’s 1979 TV film comedy to the Charing Cross Theatre stage from the 4th September.
The Knowledge follows the hilarious struggles of four Londoners as they attempt to better themselves by attempting the fearsome “Knowledge” – the process of becoming a London black cab taxi driver. Standing between them and the coveted Green Badge is the eccentric Mr. Burgess, the examiner. Also known as “The Vampire”, he is on an obsessive mission to maintain standards.
Set against the backdrop of the harsh economic times of 1979, The Knowledge by Jack Rosenthal was nominated for a BAFTA as Best Single Play.
Speaking of the news, director Maureen Lipman said: “It is 13 years since I lost my husband, the unassuming genius Jack Rosenthal. The Knowledge is perhaps Jack’s best realised play – a hymn to the London that he came to love. It shows the years of pain, strain and sacrifice that London cabbies have to endure to acquire The Knowledge, pass the world’s toughest and most terrifying taxi examinations and earn the right to wear the Green Badge. 38 years since The Knowledge was first screened on ITV, London’s finest cab drivers face challenges from UBER and their sat navs, bike lanes, road works and terror. But they represent the unique excellence and expertise that has made London the great city we are all so proud of and they deserve our support … because they, and we, are worth it.”
While casting for the production has yet to be announced, the creative team for the production includes set design by Nicolai Hart-Hansen, costume design by Jonathan Lipma, sound design by Andrew Johnson and is being produced by Vaughan Williams and Steven M. Levy.
The Knowledge will play at the Charing Cross Theatre from the 4th September until the 11th November. For more information visit: http://charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/theatre/the-knowledge