Applause SUMMER 2010
SIMON CALLOW CON O’NEILL TIMOTHY WEST WIN WEST END TICKETS TEN NEW SHOWS TO BOOK Clark Devlin stars in George’s Marvellous Medicine
Côte Richmond is proud to sponsor the Friends Scheme
WHAT’S ON
SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS SALOME
Tue 25 - Sat 29 May
Starring Con O’Neill and Zawe Ashton
GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE
Tue 22 - Sat 26 June
‘Absolutely wicked and not just for the children!’ The Stage
QUARTET
Mon 12 - Sat 17 July
Starring Michael Jayston, Gwen Taylor, Timothy West and Susannah York
SHAKESPEARE THE MAN FROM STRATFORD
Tue 27 - Sat 31 July
Starring Simon Callow
THE COUNTRY GIRL
Mon 9 - Sat 14 August
Starring Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove
Applause The days are getting warmer which can only mean one thing: summer’s nearly here! This season being a Friend is better value than ever. In addition to the standard discounts, Richmond Friends and Matcham Club members can now enjoy half-price tickets. This replaces the two-for-one discount, so you can also save when you come on your own. In this issue, Stage Door has details of TEN new shows, and as Friends you can be first to book. The Box Office is now ready to take your call. There is also an exclusive interview with Con O’Neill talking about Oscar Wilde’s Salome, Simon Callow talks about his latest one-man play about Shakespeare - The Man From Stratford and we take a trip down memory lane as part of our 110th anniversary celebrations. Thank you for your continuing support. Without it Richmond Theatre would not be marking 110 years – as well as planning for the next centenary. Happy theatre-going. Nick Bagge Friends Co-ordinator 020 8332 4523 nickbagge@theambassadors.com
COMPETITION
WIN DINNER AND A WEST END SHOW! Win a pair of tickets for the West End premiere of multi award-winning play, Holding The Man at Trafalgar Studios. Following a remarkable true-life love story, this hilarious and tender play stars Australian comedian Jane Turner (Kath & Kim). Plus enjoy a two-course pretheatre meal and glass of wine for two at Chez Gerard Rupert Street - famed for the best steak frites this side of Paris! To enter, email nickbagge@theambassadors.com with the subject line ‘Applause Competition’ Entries close 5pm 28 May. The winning entry will be selected at random and contacted by email. Terms & Conditions: Prize is not transferable. No cash alternative. A restricted choice of performance times will be offered, and once confirmed, no exchange is available. Pre-theatre meal must be booked on the same day as the performance. We reserve the right to withdraw this at any time. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
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INTERVIEW
The Holy Terror
Shakespeare: The Man From Stratford
A SUPREME, SUBLIME GENIUS SIMON CALLOW TAKES ON SHAKESPEARE
Victoria Kingston catches up with Simon Callow as he prepares for his toughest challenge yet. No need to list the work Simon Callow has done – to Richmond theatre-goers he is an old friend. So, over coffee in the Stalls Bar, we confine ourselves
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to Richmond alone. ‘Yes, come to think of it, I’ve done a lot here, haven’t I?’ he chuckles. And such diversity: wicked villains Abanazar and Hook in
two pantos, egocentric Garry Essendine in Coward’s Present Laughter, the ruthless Mark Mellon in Simon Gray’s play The Holy Terror, the flamboyant
Peter Pan
and unstoppable Dickens in the one-man show that won huge critical acclaim – and this summer, Shakespeare: The Man From Stratford. He thrives on variety. ‘I first wanted to be an actor, in order to be lots of different people – and I certainly have been! Of course in the Shakespeare, as in Dickens, I play many diverse characters within the play. I’m very excited about it. It’s probably the most challenging thing I’ve done in my career.’ Why? ‘It’s going head-on with the greatest writer who ever lived. I haven’t really done that much Shakespeare – and he’s the test of every actor. I have performed the Sonnets of course – so I feel I’ve been in contact with him all these years - but my ambition henceforth is to spend the rest of my ‘declining years’ doing those wonderful parts that I’m now the right age for.’ Knowing the frantically hard-working Mr Callow, we can guarantee he will have researched every known fact
The Mystery of Charles Dickens
about Shakespeare before he steps onto the stage. No-one, I suggest, can call his approach to work skimpy. He laughs loudly and melodically. ‘No, but skimpy is exactly what Shakespeare’s biography is. So little is known about him – unlike Dickens. So I’ve done a lot of research into the world he inhabited – how he lived. And we have his writing – he saw the world in a way that I find extraordinarily moving. There is such precision in his observations, clothed in language of such musical perfection. He’s a supreme, sublime genius.’
Present Laughter
constantly working of course.’ Are you looking forward to returning to Richmond? ‘The point about Richmond, as I’ve always said, is that the theatre has a perfect relationship between stage and audience. Richmond theatregoers are well-informed, keen and bright and they feel a great warmth towards their theatre. The actors feel as though they’ve been invited into the audience’s home. And that’s very beautiful. Also, the town is full of memories for me – and so perfect for Shakespeare. Cricket wasn’t played in his day, but if he stepped onto The
I first wanted to be an actor, in order to be lots of different people – and I certainly have been! Simon has provided a selection of that genius in a volume of Shakespearian extracts, Shakespeare on Love. Writing is very important to him – and surely it helps him to understand the writer’s mind. ‘Yes, I am constantly reassessing everything. And
Green in summer, he would feel completely at ease.’ Simon Callow is appearing in Shakespeare The Man From Stratford Tues 27 – Sat 31 July
FRIENDS HOTLINE 0844 871 7659 www.ambassadortickets.com/richmond
(fees apply)
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STAGE DOOR
Carrie’s War
Ardal O’Hanlon
Lark Rise to Candleford
Romeo and Juliet
NOW ON SALE HOUSE OF GHOSTS AN INSPECTOR MORSE MYSTERY Colin Baker dons the mantle of Inspector Morse as the Oxford-based sleuth investigates the on-stage murder of a young actress in an all-new murder mystery. Mon 6-Sat 11 Sep at 7.45pm, Wed & Sat mat at 2.30pm. Tickets £17-£25.
JANE McDONALD A magical evening of music from the international singer and star of the BBC television series The Cruise, together with her fabulous singers and musicians. Sun 12 Sep at 7.30pm. Tickets £31.50 & £33.50.
CARRIE’S WAR
JEREMY HARDY
Hannah Waterman and Brigit Forsyth star in the unforgettable story of one ordinary girl and her brother, packed off to the Welsh mining valleys at the start of the Second World War.
Jeremy Hardy is one of Britain’s best-known stand-up comedians, the star of BBC2’s If I Ruled The World and BBC Radio 4’s News Quiz and winner of the prestigious Perrier award.
Tue 19-Sat 23 Oct at 7.45pm, Wed, Thu & Sat mat at 2.30pm. Tickets £17-£25.
Tue 26 Oct at 7.30pm. Tickets £19.
ARDAL O’HANLON
PEPPA PIG’S PARTY
In his new stand-up show, Ardal laughs in the face of mounting adversity – recession, bad weather, ageing and impending doom.
Come and help Peppa celebrate her birthday as she is joined by George, Suzy Sheep, Danny Dog and Emily Elephant. A charming show, full of new songs, muddy puddles, and oinks!
Mon 25 Oct at 8pm. Tickets £19.
Sat 30-Sun 31 Oct at 10am, 1pm & 4pm. Tickets £12.50-£16.50.
LARK RISE TO CANDLEFORD
THE THREE MUSKETEERS ROMEO AND JULIET AND THE PRINCESS OF SPAIN SWAN LAKE
A revival of the National Theatre’s acclaimed production of the first book of Flora Thompson’s trilogy about the life of 19th century country folk seen through the eyes of Laura Timms, now made famous by the BBC television series.
Based on the classic characters created by Alexandre Dumas, English Touring Theatre present a sword-fighting spectacular with a twist that promises fun for all the family with live music and plenty of laughs. Recommended 8+
Moscow City Ballet
Tue 16-Sat 20 Nov at 7pm, Wed & Sat mat at 2.30pm. Tickets £17-£25.
Sat & Sun 2.30pm Tickets £16-£31.
Mon 8-Sat 13 Nov at 7.45pm, Wed & Sat mat at 2.30pm. Tickets £14-£26. Exclusive Members Benefit Richmond Friends & Matcham Club HALF PRICE Mon-Fri all perfs Save up to £52*
Exclusive Members Benefit Richmond Friends & Matcham Club HALF PRICE Tue-Fri all perfs Save up to £50*
RICH HALL The gruff American comic does stand-up like no other and is a regular on BBC TV’s QI and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Sun 28 Nov at 7.30pm. Tickets £22.
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Back by popular demand with two more sumptuous ballets, the company has become one of Russia’s most successful touring companies. Wed 19-Sun 23 Jan 2011. Wed-Sat at 7.45pm and Thu,
HOW TO BOOK In person, by phone 0844 871 7659 or online www.ambassadortickets/ richmond (please note online Friends discounts are currently limited to Saturday matinee performances).
*HALF PRICE OFFERS Offers apply to Stalls and Dress Circle. Maximum tickets: Richmond Friends, two; Richmond Family Friends and Matcham Club, four.
FRIENDS HOTLINE 0844 871 7659 www.ambassadortickets.com/richmond
(fees apply)
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INTERVIEW
HEADLONG INTO A WILDE AND SAVAGE MASTERPIECE Con O’Neill promises audiences an explosive, edge-of-the-seat contemporary take on Oscar Wilde’s tragedy. He spoke to Lucy Johnston, theatre editor of The Richmond Magazine. I begin by sharing a few cheery words with the producer, whose mobile phone number I’ve been given to reach Con O’Neill – who takes the lead role of King Herod, in Headlong Theatre Company’s very stylish new production of Oscar Wilde’s Salome, directed by young director-of-the-moment, Jamie Lloyd. The producer apologises and advises me that there might be a bit of background music audible, as rehearsals have broken for a spot of lunch and the director is sampling possible musical scores.
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Not only that, but they are also in the process of rehearsing a few special effects – including blood-spurting techniques.
I’m gripped from the start. Once Con arrives, the producer hands the phone over. There is a beep. ‘Oops,
gosh. Err. I’m never terribly good with other people’s mobile phones,’ says the new voice. ‘This one’s got a built-in camera and I think I’ve just taken a picture of my nose.’ After this slightly unusual beginning, I pick up by asking about the costume fittings, which I understand are also in progress.’ ‘Yeah, we’ve just started those today, but so far Herod only has a shirt. They’ve yet to find me any pants, so at this rate it’s going to be a bit of a shock for the audience on opening night!’
ones that don’t work so well. So many directors take the opposite approach and that can really limit experimentation. You’ve got to be brave, or you don’t end up with a worthwhile, memorable piece of theatre. As an audience I do think theatre needs to either make you want to shout, cry, stand up or walk out. You have to be physically affected.’ So, how will the audience feel about this particular play? ‘Well, how do I put this…? It’s actually really quite a dirty play,’ he laughs. ‘It’s so earthy and naughty, sexually charged,
‘This all really does feel like it’s one of those experiences that isn’t going to happen again.’ So this is Con O’Neill. Dryly amusing, charming and – as becomes apparent very quickly – completely focused on the job ahead. So, what attracted him to this production of Salome? ‘I did read it years ago but, I have to say, I’m usually very wary about bringing classics back to the stage - I tend to run a mile from any play that risks a dry delivery. However, there is no way on earth you could say that about this production! Jamie’s given it the most extraordinary new lease of life – a really smart, modern twist.’ Con continues, ‘He’s the kind of director who starts by letting you play with all the toys, and then gradually takes away the
and even a bit toxic, if that’s possible for a play. It’s certainly not going to result in the kind of evening where the audience walk away afterwards sighing, “Well now, wasn’t that nice?” This is pretty intense stuff.’ The story is not one for the faint hearted, following the beautiful Salome as she dances for Herod on the agreement that she be brought the head of John the Baptist, who had spurned her advances. ‘And it affects everyone on stage too. It’s a play that constantly challenges everyone involved. There’s so much activity all the time, and so much intensity, it’s really amazing.’ We then both agree this is
going to be a play that is well-suited to the auditorium at Richmond Theatre, as the closeness of the audience to the stage will make them feel they are enclosed and drawn into the action. ‘Edge-of-theseat’ stuff (or perhaps even underneath the seat), we muse. ‘This all really does feel like it’s one of those experiences that isn’t going to happen again.’ He’s clearly excited by the vision of the production finally on stage. ‘You’ve got Headlong – a style of theatre company that only comes along once in a blue moon – combined with one of the most talented young directors. That’s quite an explosive combination.’ At which point I add that I gather, from talking to Jamie in a separate interview last week, that this is also a oncein-a-lifetime scenario in terms of all ten members of the cast being Jamie’s first choices. It really does sound like a unique set of circumstances. ‘Yeah, absolutely no pressure then!’ he returns, with a dry chuckle. Con O’Neill is appearing in Salome Tues 25 – Sat 29 May Go to http://bit.ly/richsalome to see an exclusive trailer. Read Lucy’s interview with director Jamie Lloyd in the May issue of the Richmond Magazine.
FRIENDS HOTLINE 0844 871 7659 www.ambassadortickets.com/richmond
(fees apply)
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110 YEARS
Hilary Gould
Richmond Theatre playwriting workshop
DO YOU REMEMBER?
110TH ANNIVERSARY UPDATE
This photo shows me, aged seven, posing outside Richmond Theatre on a sunny Saturday afternoon in the summer of 1958. The yellow cotton sprigged dress, sash and pantalettes, all made by my mother, made up the Bo Peep costume that all the little girls in my ballet class wore in varying colours. On arrival at the theatre, we were taken to a dressing room and sat up on the counter to have our stage make-up applied. This was very exciting. I loved the look so much that I didn’t want to take it off after the performance and kept it on until bedtime when my mother
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insisted on removing it with cold cream! We waited on stage in a state of anticipation behind the closed black curtain in our positions of slumber. Then, as the familiar piano music started, the curtain opened and the lights came up, so bright you couldn’t see the audience. We went through the sequence looking for the lost sheep; at a given moment, Freda had to ‘go and get it’ from the side of the stage, as rehearsed – ‘it’ being a toy woolly lamb, which we all mimed stroking to end the dance. We heard the applause, the curtain came down and it was over. I wonder if any of the little girls in the class, will remember this now they’re grown up. Bronwen, Erica, Freda and Veronica... are you out there? My mother, who is no longer with us, would be amazed that the picture she took over 50
years ago is being seen by local people. We lived at 22 Lebanon Court in Twickenham at that time, which is still standing. The dancing classes, taught by Miss Brigitte Kolostrom, were held in St John’s Church Hall in the Sheen Road, where Waitrose now is. Hilary Gould, Richmond Theatre 110 Community Curator
Do you have a memory like Hilary’s? We are looking to collect people’s memories of Richmond Theatre to feature in the new play and exhibition that are being created to mark our 110th anniversary. If you have a memory that you would like to share, e-mail eleanorpackham@ theambassadors.com, call Eleanor on 020 8332 4526 or look out for reminiscence volunteers in the Stalls bar before selected Wednesday matinees.
Our young playwrights have started work on the new play that is being written to mark Richmond Theatre’s anniversary year and are looking for people who have memories of the Theatre to share. If this is you, we’d love to hear from you. This is a unique opportunity for our loyal audiences to see their stories come to life on the Richmond Theatre stage, told by local young people and a professional cast. We can’t wait to see the new play and hope that you can join us on this very special occasion. Tickets for the performed reading on Thursday 5 August are available now from the Box Office.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Richmond Theatre 110 Play Reading Thursday 5 August, 7.30pm Tickets available from Box Office. Free.
Richmond Theatre 110 Exhibition Opens Saturday 18 September Museum of Richmond Free admission.
Richmond Theatre Open Day Sunday 19 September
FRIENDS HOTLINE 0844 871 7659 www.ambassadortickets.com/richmond
(fees apply)
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HOT TICKETS Ambassador Friends: Ambassador Friend £5 off up to four Stalls/Dress Circle seats, Saturday matinee
DINING OFFERS Richmond Friends: As Ambassador Friend, plus £5 off up to two (Family Friends four) Stalls/Dress Circle seats, Mon-Wed eves
Matcham Club: As Richmond Friend plus £5 off up to four Stalls/Dress Circle seats Mon-Fri eve and Wed and Sat mat
This is just a small selection of the offers available to Friends of the UK’s largest theatre operator. To find out more, go to www.ambassadortickets.com/richmond. Please note that not all the discounts are available online. To be told about offers first, make sure we have your email address. You may also book tickets by telephoning 0844 871 7659. The Matcham Club has its own hotline. Offers are subject to availability, are not retrospective, cannot be combined with any other offer, and may be withdrawn at any time. Some offers may be available only online.
RICHMOND THEATRE
WEST END THEATRES
Half-price tickets (Richmond Friends and Matcham Club only)
LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL
IF I WERE YOU
DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS
Mon 31 May Fri 5 Jun (all perfs)
RAT PACK
Mon 28 Jun - Fri 2 Jul
(all perfs)
BEDROOM FARCE
MORECAMBE
Best available seats for £25, valid Mon-Fri and Sat mat until 31 May.
Tue 14 - Fri 17 Sep
(all perfs) (Matcham Club only)
QUARTET
Mon 12 - Fri 16 May (all perfs) Richmond Theatre conditions: Stalls and Dress Circle only. Richmond Friends up to two tickets; Richmond Family Friends and Matcham Club up to four.
First Night Parties
WIFE AFTER DEATH Mon 17 May QUARTET Mon 12 July THE RIVALS Mon 20 Sep Richmond Friends and Matcham Club members only. Tickets £5 each.
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WOMAN IN BLACK Best available seats for £30, valid Mon-Fri until 4 Sep (excl 31 May - 5 June)
REGIONAL THEATRES
24 Hill Street, Richmond TW9 1TW. Tel 020 8948 5971 www.cote-restaurants.co.uk
13-19 The Square, Old Market, Richmond TW9 1EA. Tel 020 8948 5965 www.fishworks.co.uk
with offer card, for pre-theatre menu, prices £9.95 - £11.90.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC Tue 22 June - Sat 10 July. £4 off selected tickets, Mon-Thu eves (first two weeks). £3 off selected tickets, Wed and Thu mats (first two weeks). New Victoria Theatre, Woking
OKLAHOMA! £5 off selected tickets on selected performances Tue 11 - Fri 14 May. New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Up to £5 off selected tickets on selected performances from Tue 21 Sep – Wed 6 Oct Milton Keynes Theatre Alan Bennett’s latest play. £3 off selected tickets on performances Tue 19 and Wed 20 Oct. Milton Keynes Theatre
FISHWORKS
OFFER: a complimentary glass of Kir Royale
HAIRSPRAY
THE HABIT OF ART
CÔTE BISTRO Sponsors of the Richmond Theatre Friends scheme and winner of the Which? Good Food Guide – Best Value Restaurant in the UK award.
£10 off best available tickets, valid Mon-Fri until 21 Oct. Best available seats for £25, valid Mon-Fri until 27 May.
Why not make your visit to Richmond Theatre even better with these special discounts from our corporate partners? Offer cards are available in the bars and foyer.
A new musical
ripped off from
MONTY PYTHON and the Holy Grail
SPAMALOT A new musical ripped off from Best seats for £27 on Mon MONTY PYTHON Holy28 Grail Jun; £5 off selected tickets on Tue 29 Jun to Sat 3 Jul Churchill Theatre, Bromley and the
LA BUVETTE 6 Church Walk, Richmond TW9 1SN. Tel 020 8940 6264 www.labuvette.co.uk
OFFER: A complimentary glass of Kir with offer card, prices £14.50-£17 for three courses. Not valid with any other offer or promotion. Valid all week, maximum of four guests per card.
OFFER: £12.50 for two courses plus a complimentary glass of wine. Available Mon - Fri, 12pm-3pm and 6pm-7pm. Not valid with any other offer.
BROUGE BISTRO 5 Hill Street, Richmond TW9 1SX. Tel 020 8332 0055 www.brouge.com.uk
OFFER: Lunch & Early Evening £9.95 2 course Prix Fix Menu. Coffee & Dessert for £5, available after dinner or post show. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.
PIZZERIA RUSTICA 32 The Quadrant, Richmond TW9 1DN. Tel 020 8332 6262. www.pizzeriarustica.co.uk
OFFER: 20% discount off final bill with offer card. Pre- and post-theatre only. Not valid in conjunction with any other promotion, set or lunch menu offer. Maximum six guests per booking.
FRIENDS HOTLINE 0844 871 7659 www.ambassadortickets.com/richmond
(fees apply)
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SUPPORTERS
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LOVE IT, HATE IT
PERRY HAY
PIZZERIA RUSTICA
TIMOTHY WEST
Richmond Solicitors, Perry Hay & Co is a niche private client practice based on Richmond Green in southwest London. We concentrate on the personal and commercial affairs of the individual, the family and the family business, both on and off shore, and we look to build ongoing relationships with our clients. We provide practical and imaginative solutions to clients’ problems and take care to present what are often complex topics in a clear and non-technical way. In all cases we aim to add value, and place particular emphasis on personal service, speed of response, value for money, accessibility, and the highest standards of professional excellence. Located in Richmond, Perry Hay & Co offers an attractive alternative to the larger West End and City firms.
Pizzeria Rustica is an independent traditional Italian restaurant in Richmond upon Thames - a great place to enjoy fabulous authentic cuisine, with friendly service and a warm atmosphere. The menu at Pizzeria Rustica is bursting with traditional Italian flavours, with a wide range to suit all tastes. As well as a large and imaginative range of pasta and pizza dishes the menu contains some interesting specials which are regularly updated with seasonal produce as well as a good selection of vegetarian dishes, ensuring that you can always try something new no matter how often you visit. Pizzeria Rustica pride themselves on the freshness of their produce and the pizza dough and tomato sauce are freshly made each day on the premises to give you one of the best traditional pizzas available.
LOVE IT
HATE IT
OYSTERS
PIPED MUSIC...
Oh, yes. They make me feel that I’m by the sea even when I’m not.
in restaurants, shops, pubs, hotel lifts, toilets. Who’s it for, really?
CANALS
CAR PARKS
Doesn’t really matter where – get me on my narrowboat and I’m happy.
Corkscrewing up to the sixteenth floor, and down again after the show, just feels silly.
Perry Hay & Co Solicitors 25 The Green Richmond Surrey TW9 1LY Tel: 020 8940 8115 www.perryhay.co.uk
Pizzeria Rustica 32 The Quadrant Richmond Surrey TW9 1DN Tel: 020 8332 6262 www.pizzeriarustica.co.uk
THE BBC PROMS Wonderful – people of all ages, sexes, backgrounds, joined in the celebration of music.
WOMEN’S CLOTHES
WAITERS WHO SAY... ‘Not a problem’: I only asked for a jug of water – how could it possibly be a problem?
MISPRONOUNCED WORDS ON TV
Not that I wear them, you understand. I just love looking at them.
Seccatry, Febbury, jewlery, lybery, particuly, perogative, authorative, Laura Nawder etc.
VILLAGE POST OFFICES
FIZZY DRINKS
The centres of their community: they mustn’t be lost.
Well, Champagne’s OK, but give me good draught beer without the bubbles.
FRIENDS HOTLINE 0844 871 7659 www.ambassadortickets.com/richmond
(fees apply)
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Located on Hill Street, a few minutes walk from Richmond theatre, Côte Bistro offers simple freshly prepared French food at value for money prices. The menu offers classic French dishes such as Steak frites, Moules marinières and corn fed Breton chicken from Languidic. Crème caramel and Crème brûlée are house specialities for dessert. Perfect for a pre or post theatre meal Côte offers a lunch and early evening pre-theatre menu priced at £9.95 for two courses and £11.90 for three courses Monday to Friday 12 to 7pm. Côte is offering friends of Richmond Theatre a complimentary glass of Kir Royale with our pre- theatre menu. To receive this exclusive offer call 020 8948 5971 and quote ‘Richmond Theatre offer’ when booking.
WINNER “Best Value Restaurant in the UK” Good Food Guide
“All the elegance, informality and buzz of a classic Parisian bistro” Côte Bistro 24 Hill Street, (close to the Odeon Cinema) Richmond, TW9 1TW Reservations: 020 8948 5971 www.cote-restaurants.co.uk