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Patrick Barlow

PATRICK BARLOW

  (1947 - )
Nationality:    English
email:    n/a     Website:    Click here

Literary Agent:    Sayle Screen Ltd  

Patrick Barlow (born 18 March 1947) is an English actor, comedian and playwright. His comedic alter ego, Desmond Olivier Dingle, is the founder, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the two-man National Theatre of Brent, which has performed on stage, on television and on radio. Barlow is the scriptwriter, as well as lead performer, in many National Theatre of Brent productions, in particular All the World's a Globe (1987), Desmond Olivier Dingle's Compleat Life and Works of William Shakespeare (1995) and The Arts and How They Was Done (2007). In non-Theatre of Brent performances, he wrote and played in the 4-part situation comedy for radio called The Patrick and Maureen Maybe Music Experience which ran for four weeks from January 1999. He played the part of Om in the radio adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Small Gods (2006), which was adapted by Robin Brooks. Barlow played Bob in Is it Legal? (19961998), and played the part of the vicar in Jam & Jerusalem. He has also written and directed his National Theatre of Brent material for television, and played the part of Max in series 2 and the 2004 special of Absolutely Fabulous. Patrick Barlow wrote a stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps which premiered in June 2005 at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. After revision, the play opened at London's Tricycle Theatre in August 2006, and after a successful run transferred to the Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly in September 2006. The play has also been performed on Broadway since early 2008, in Australia by the Melbourne Theatre Company in April 2008, and in Wellington, New Zealand, by Circa Theatre in July/August 2009, and in Bancroft, Ontario by Blackfly Theatre in July 2011.

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below is a list of Patrick Barlow's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         39 Steps, The         Balmy Army, The         Basic Instincts         Ben Hur         Black Hole Of Calcutta, The         Charge Of the Light Brigade, The         Christmas Carol, A         Complete Guide To Sex, The         Complete History of the Whole World         Crazy Navy, The         Do-It-Yourself Pop-Up Panto Show, The         Gotterdumerung; Or, Twilight Of the Gods         Greatest Story Ever Told, The         Happy And Glorious         Land Of Hope And Glory         Love Upon the Throne         Messiah, The         Mysteries Of Sex, The         Star Child         Tales Of Four         Wonder Of Sex, The         Zulu
39 Steps, The

39 Steps, The
the classic spy thriller adapted into a hilarious spoof of the book and the Hitchcock film.

Notes:
from the novel by John Buchan. Adapted by Patrick Barlow. Original concept by Simon Corble & Nobby Dimon

1st Produced:
Georgian Theatre, Richmond, North Yorkshire     01 Apr 1996

Organisations:
North Country Theatre

1st Published:

Music:
-

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Genre:
comedy adaptation

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Balmy Army, The

Synopsis:
Indoor or Outdoor Participatory games theatre for 7 - 12 year olds.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

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Genre:
Game theatre

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Basic Instincts

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Ben Hur

Ben Hur
the Watermill is overawed to present an unbelievably spectacular and never-before seen stage version of the novel by General Lew Wallace. almost certainly the greatest book ever penned. . . experts say no book has ever been so widely read. . .In true theatrical, live 3-D with genuine smellorama! Performed on stage for the first time ever with a maximum of four actors playing all twelve thousand and fifty-nine characters!

Notes:
adapted by Patrick Barlow; Based on the novel by General 'Lew' Wallace; Written by Patrick Barlow with Sean Foley

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French   

Music:
-

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Genre:
comedy

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Black Hole Of Calcutta, The

Synopsis:
Desmond Dingle's sweeping and romantic saga of India.

Notes:
written with Bryony Lavery

1st Produced:
National Theatre Of Brent, London     1982

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
romantic Saga

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  2            Other:  playing 20,000

Further Reference:
-

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Charge Of the Light Brigade, The

Synopsis:
Desmond Dingles epic and Dramatic reconstruction of the immortal charge. actors jump out of character to discuss their lives, parents, sexuality etc

Notes:
written with Susan Todd And Bob Critchley

1st Produced:
National Theatre Of Brent, London     1980

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Participatory theatre

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Christmas Carol, A

Christmas Carol, A
Patrick Barlow, writer of the Tony winning hit The 39 Steps, has retold Charles Dickens' holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. This thrilling adaptation uses only five actors to bring some of Dickens' most beloved characters to life. From Scrooge and Tiny Tim to Bob Cratchit and Mrs. Fezziwig, Barlow's A Christmas Carol uses nothing more than some simple props, fresh physicality, and the power of imagination to convey this timeless story of redemption. Witness Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation from a stingy miser to a man who generously celebrates the spirit of the season all year long, in this highly theatrical adaptation.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Deleware Theatre Company     01 Dec 2012

Organisations:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

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Genre:
dramatic comedy 120 min

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  2            Other:  puppeteers

Further Reference:
-

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Complete Guide To Sex, The

Synopsis:
it is not completely or even much about sex. It is rather a send up of the solemnity of theatrical gurus and of sex therapists which hits some targets with demented accuracy, misses others but is buoyed up by its own preposterousness.
- Michael billington, Guardian

Notes:
by Patrick Barlow with Jude Kelly, Additional material by Jim Broadbent

1st Produced:

Organisations:
National Theatre of Brent

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Complete History of the Whole World

Complete History of the Whole World
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Nick Hern Books    

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Crazy Navy, The

Synopsis:
Indoor or Outdoor Participatory games theatre for 7 - 12 year olds.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Solent People's Theatre, Hants     1974

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Game theatre

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Do-It-Yourself Pop-Up Panto Show, The

Synopsis:
create kids pantomime

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Game theatre

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Gotterdumerung; Or, Twilight Of the Gods

Synopsis:
the whole of Wagner's Ring in 1hr 17 minutes.

Notes:
written with Bryony Lavery And Susan Todd

1st Produced:
National Theatre Of Brent, London     1982

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Construction

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  2 actors and pianist

Further Reference:
-

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Greatest Story Ever Told, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
National Theatre of Brent

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Happy And Glorious

Synopsis:
exceptionally and unquestionably monarchist luncheon celebration for the Queen as hostessed by Mrs Henrietta Sluggett and her daughter Serenity

Notes:
written with Roy Kift

1st Produced:
Almost Free Theatre, London     1977

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Land Of Hope And Glory

Synopsis:
Henrietta's second foray into theatre Land. This time her family and friends interrupt to mount a Spectacular Variety show for an eeC Drama competition

Notes:
written with Roy Kift

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Love Upon the Throne

Love Upon the Throne
the National theatre of Brent present the full and unexpurgated romance, courtship and matrimonial proceedings of His Royal Highness Prince Charles and Diana Princess of Wales. Tastefully crammed into a single profound and unforgettable playtext

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Edinburgh     1998

Organisations:
National Theatre of Brent

1st Published:
Nick Hern Books, 1998   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Messiah, The

Messiah, The
the distinguished historian and thespian, Desmond Olivier Dingle and his valiant assistant Raymond Box, bring us their version of the greatest story ever told. Thrill to the mystery of the virgin birth (very delicately portrayed by Raymond), gasp at the miracles (and let Desmond show you how they're done) and be intensely moved by the Sermon on the Hill.

Notes:
by Patrick Barlow, Julian Hough and Jude Kelly

1st Produced:

Organisations:
National Theatre of Brent

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Story Comedy

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Mysteries Of Sex, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Star Child

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
a unique theatre event in Aid of the Art Room charity. By turns hilarious And heart-rending. Patrick Barlow's nativity story upends the traditional Christmas card tale And retells it As A stoy for All

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Tales Of Four

Synopsis:
Four girls have dreams, find strange objects, run away from home, meet each other, cross abridge

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-     1980

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Wonder Of Sex, The

Wonder Of Sex, The
Having boldy tackled the Charles and Diana story in Love Upon the Throne, having presented nothing less than the birth of Christ on stage the Messiah , Desmond Dingle and the entire ensemble of the National theatre of Brent - Raymond Box - at the personal behest of Sir Trevor Nunn, RNT, now fearlessly expose us to the wonder of sex.

Notes:
written by Patrick Barlow, John Ramm And Martin Duncan

1st Produced:

Organisations:
National Theatre of Brent

1st Published:
Nick Hern Books, 1998   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Devised Piece

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Zulu

Synopsis:
reconstruction of the 1879 Zulu wars. Two men reconstruct the events leading up to and the minute by minute action at Rorke's drift

Notes:
written with Bryony Lavery

1st Produced:
ICA, London >>>     1981

Organisations:
National Theatre of Brent

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Devised Piece

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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