Who Killed Alfred Oliver?

It is with a heavy heart that we must let you know that we have had to cancel our production of Who Killed Alfred Oliver?

The reason for this is that two key members of the company have received positive PCR tests.

We have assessed whether we can replace the poorly members, but the costs incurred, plus the risk of further infection among the remaining company, negate this option.

We hate to say it, but this puts RABBLE in a perilous position. We had successfully navigated our way though the last 2 years (and the 7 before the pandemic) under immense pressure and had felt so optimistic after the success of The Last Abbot, the development of our education and community work and the lovely responses that we have been getting from the first few nights of this show. The people involved – cast, crew, suppliers, sponsors, Minster team, Reading library, museum and station – are just incredible and the extra work that they have all contributed to making this show successful is staggering, so it is deeply upsetting that so many good people will lose income because of this.

RABBLE Theatre does not receive any core funding, from Reading Borough Council or the Arts Council, so this really is a challenging time and the financial success of this production was dependent on ticket sales alone. That is very rare in regional theatre.

We are looking at the option of postponing the show until next year, but nothing more can be said at this stage.

If you have already purchased tickets, then you are, of course, entitled to a refund and you can request this by emailing boxoffice@rabbletheatre.com with your order number and the name you booked under, but we would like to ask whether you would consider donating the cost of your ticket to us. This is a lot to ask, of course, but we would be immensely grateful if you could. To donate the ticket cost, you don’t need to do anything; the money will simply remain with us.

Some bereft audience members have already come forward to ask how they can help us cover the anticipated £35,000 loss. Please don’t feel any pressure whatsoever, especially if this was your first trip to a RABBLE show, but if you would like to become a Friend or make a donation, please click here. Another way of supporting us is to book right now for The Snow Queen (3rd – 24th December). Ticket sales for that will significantly help balance this loss.

We shall explain more about the implications and the context in our newsletter, (subscribe here) but for now we apologise to you for the disappointing news.

Yours Sincerely,

Toby and Dani

Artistic and Executive Directors | RABBLE Theatre

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Reading, 1929. A murder has been committed!

The tobacco shop owner, Alfred Oliver, has been found bludgeoned to death in his Cross Street store.

On the same day, the star of the box office smash hit, The Monster, was spotted near the scene… Could he have killed Alfred Oliver?

RABBLE’s classic whodunnit, based on real life events, will transport you back to Reading in the 1920s.

Running Time: 2 hrs including 20 minute interval

TICKET PRICES (all prices shown include booking fees)

• Standard ticket: £25
• 60+: £20
• Student: £20
• Equity member: £20
• Disabled (+ 1 Free Carer): £20
• Wheelchair user (+ 1 Free Carer): £20
• NEET*/Under 18: £16
• £10 Tuesdays: Tickets £10 (or option to pay standard price)
• Schools: £13 per pupil/teacher

*Not in employment, education or training.

Discounts:

Choose what you pay - Thurs 4th November @ 7pm: ticket price options from - £5/£10/£15

Preview 1 - Friday 5th November: All tickets £16

Preview 2  - Saturday 6th November: All tickets £16

£10 Tuesdays! - One of our many efforts to keep theatre pricing accessible to all. Tickets £10 (or option to pay standard price)

If you are lucky enough to be able to afford the full price, then please do go for that. It’ll help us make more tickets accessible for those who can’t.

School Bookings:

School group ticket prices: All tickets £13 (includes booking fee)

School bookings are not available online please contact the RABBLE Box Office via our contact form

CAST

Emma Pallant  |  Mrs Lindo and others

Marcia Davies  |  Florrie and others

Nathan Ives-Moiba  |  Buff & George

Toby W Davies  |  Charlie Fry

CREATIVE TEAM

Beth Flintoff  |  Writer

Gareth Taylor  |  Director

Cory Shipp  |  Designer

Ellie Roser  |  Assistant Designer

Fran Redvers-Jones  |  Deputy Stage Manager

Chris Mitchell  |  Composer

Joe Morris  |  Sound Designer

Ruth Harvey  |  Lighting Designer

Laura Haag  |  Costume Supervisor

Hannah Pearson  |  ASM & Wardrobe Supervisor

Callum Finn  |  Production Manager

Emily Leonard  |  Publicity Designer

Charlotte Russell  |  Programme Designer

For RABBLE

Dani Davies  |  Executive Director / WKAO Executive Producer

Toby Davies  |  Artistic Director / WKAO Associate Producer

Bec Welburn  |  Company Stage Manager

Emma Lawrence  |  General Manager

Alex Lonsdale  |  Head of Education

Tash Marks  |  Community Associate

Louise Gilmour  |  Education Consultant