Written by Richard Bean in 2002, the hilarious comic two-hander play The Mentalists is showing on the West End this summer
Stephen Merchant will play Ted in The Mentalists
Holed up together in a soulless hotel room in Finsbury Park, the middle-aged Ted and Morrie are forced to confront the darker side of their unique and unusual relationship.
An unlikely friendship
Ted is a wiry and jumpy man who is a manager at a cleaning products company. Whilst holed up in the hotel, Ted takes it upon himself to tape a utopian message to the world.
The irrefutably more relaxed Morrie is delightfully camp and despite being an off-duty hairdresser, is happy to act as Ted’s cameraman.
As the pressure intensifies, a touching and hilarious tale of unusual friendship and utopian vision unwinds.
Stephen Merchant makes his West End debut
The fanatical Ted is played by the BAFTA Award-winning comedian, writer and actor Stephen Merchant. With The Mentalists Merchant will be making both his theatrical and West End debut.
The comedian and actor is well-known for his work with Ricky Gervais, including starring in The Office, Life’s Too Short, Extras and An Idiot Abroad.
Merchant has won four BAFTA awards, four British Comedy Awards, an Emmy Award for his work on television and a Golden Globe Award.
Steffan Rhodri as the delightfully camp Morrie
Steffan Rhodri will be playing the super-camp Morrie. Starring as Dave Coaches in Gavin and Stacey and, more recently, appearing in Russell T Davies’ homosexual drama Cucumber, Steffan Rhodri is a household name.
Rhodri is also no stranger to the West End, appearing in Alan Ayckbourn’s Absent Friends and Laura Wade’s Posh.
Playwright Richard Bean wrote The Mentalists in 2002 as part of the Transformation Season at the National Theatre. Bean has since gone on to write a number of huge hits on the West End, namely One Man, Two Guvnors and Great Britain. More recently, Bean wrote the book for Made in Dagenham, which premiered in 2014 at the Adelphi Theatre.
Talking of the timing of The Mentalists release on the West End, Richard Bean said:
“The central concerns of the play are even more relevant in an election year than when I wrote it. Factors like the perceived decline of social values and how this can result in the rise of fringe parties and a very personal view of politics fascinate me: but the real humour of the piece comes from Ted and Morrie’s friendship, their reliance on each other and how they deal with their frustrations as working men batting against the world.”
The Mentalists is directed by Abbey Wright, best known for directing Mrs Lowry and Son.
The comic two hand will show at the Wyndham’s Theatre from Friday 3 July until Saturday 26 September 2015.
Click here to book your tickets.
