A DISH OF TEA WITH DR JOHNSON – Top Girls £25 offer

Irritable, generous, depressed, witty and wise – meet Samuel ‘Dictionary’ Johnson: poet, essayist and lexicographer.

Max Stafford-Clark (Top Girls) directs an acclaimed celebration of Johnson’s unique take on life, adapted from the writings of Johnson’s friend and biographer James Boswell. Ian Redford reprises his acclaimed performance as the 18th century icon.

Russell Barr plays a host of characters, from James Boswell and Joshua Reynolds to King George III and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s saviour Flora Macdonald. Trudie Styler appears as Mrs Thrale, the society hostess who was Johnson’s final, unrequited love.

31 August – 24 September
ARTS THEATRE
Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JB

TOP GIRLS OFFER: £25 Top Price Seats on performances up to 10 September, available to “Top Girls” ticket bookers
(Usually £32.50; subject to availability)
To claim:
Phone the box office on 020 7907 7092 and quote “Top Girls Offer”
Book online here and enter the code: TG

“You feel you are eavesdropping on one of the great double-acts in literary history… A rare treat”
Michael Billington, Guardian

“Lovingly put together… This small show is driven by a large and generous heart”
Jane Edwardes, Sunday Times

“Ian Redford brings Johnson to wonderfully persuasive and endearing life… It’s a tremendous performance in a show of continuous pleasure”
Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph

“Pure civilised delight… One did not want the evening to end”
Paul Taylor, Independent

“Every line chimes… Ian Redford conveys all Johnson’s humour, rage, melancholy, sweetness and brilliance”
Libby Purves, The Times

An Out of Joint production. Presented by Karl Sydow.
Trudie Styler will not appear on 9, 10, 21, 22, 23, 24 September