The Past is a Tattooed Sailor at the Old Red Lion Theatre

The world premiere of The Past is a Tattooed Sailor, a debut drama written by Simon Blow, will be presented at the Old Red Lion Theatre in Angel, north London, from 2 to 28 August 2016, with an opening night on 5 August.

The production will be directed by Jeffrey Mayhew and is described as a bittersweet drama about class struggles and thwarted love.

Synopsis: "Past and present are one in the sleeping manor house where Uncle Napier lives in an eternal doze. Upper class boy Joshua has sought out his great-uncle, long taken to his bed and drifting in memories of his glowing adolescence. Joshua is having his own roaring twenties with new builder boyfriend Damien, but the burden of class weighs heavy over the young man, and ghosts from the past cling to him like Uncle Napier's overwhelming scent.
Uncle Napier draws both boys into his delusions that his own youth has not faded, and that a muscular sailor will give this Sleeping Beauty the reviving kiss. Thus Uncle Napier drifts in reverie. Until the two boys and Uncle Napier are sharply awakened by visits from Joshua's rich Cousin Patrick. But what sinister thoughts lie behind Patrick's tight-lipped comments? What exactly is he seeking?"

Writer Simon Blow has drawn from his relationship with his great-uncle Stephen Tennant for the play and says: "I have always been intrigued by how rich upper class families behave. Cruelty would be too kind a word as I experienced from the inside. Class and the greed for money are driving forces in society. My play dovetails them."