The Common Pursuit, By Simon Gray, at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 9 May 2008

The Common Pursuit, By Simon Gray, will open at the Menier Chocolate Factory 27 May 2008, following previews from 9 May - running to 20 July 2008.

Tickets go on sale on Monday 21st April at 10am

Directed by Fiona Laird, the cast includes Ben Caplan, James Dreyfus, Nigel Harman, Robert Portal, Reece Shearsmith , Mary Stockley..

It is designed by Anthony Lamble, lighting by Hartley T A Kemp, produced by Chocolate Factory Productions

This comedy charts the progress of a group of Cambridge undergraduates who launch a literary publication – The Common Pursuit. Fresh, determined and gifted, their joint venture brings them together in friendship, hope and the promise of a bright future. But as the years go by the friends find it hard to stay true to the ideals of their youth in the world beyond…

Nigel Harman is best-known for his role as Dennis Wicks in TV’s EastEnders. His stage appearances Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly Theatre.

Reece Shearsmith is one of the comedy group The League of Gentlemen. On stage he has been seen in The Producers at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and in As You Like It at the Wyndham’s Theatre.

James Dreyfus is well known for his role in the TV series Gimme Gimme Gimme. On stage he has appeared in Donkey’s Years at the Comedy Theatre, in Cabaret as the MC at the Lyric Theatre and in The Producers as Carmen Gia at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Robert Portal most recently played Hannay in The 39 Steps at the Criterion Theatre. Other credits include Maurice in Tom and Viv at the Almeida and Gary Le Jeune in Noises Off at the Piccadilly Theatre.

Ben Caplan has recently been seen in productions at Hampstead, The Young Vic, Soho Theatre and the National Theatre.

Mary Stockley has appeared as Hope in Anything Goes at the National Theatre and at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Beth in Merrily We Roll Along at the Donmar Warehouse, and also in Love’s Labour’s Lost at the National Theatre.