National Theatre of Brent
Encyclopedia
The National Theatre of Brent is a British comedy double-act, in the form of a mock two-man theatre troupe. Patrick Barlow
plays Desmond Olivier Dingle, the troupe's founder, Artistic Director and Chief Executive. The role of his assistant (or as Desmond likes to call him, "my entire company") has been taken by different actors over the years, including Jim Broadbent
(as Wallace), Robert Austin (as Bernard), and John Ramm
(as Raymond Box). Their 1998 production Love Upon the Throne (featuring Barlow as Prince Charles and Ramm as Diana, Princess of Wales
) was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Comedy. Barlow has written two books in the character of Desmond Olivier Dingle, Shakespeare: The Truth! and All the World's a Globe: From Lemur to Cosmonaut, both of which have been adapted for radio. Their radio production in 2007 was The Arts and How They Was Done, starring Barlow and Ramm, with Harriet Walter
as guest star. In September 2011 they produced Giant Ladies That Changed The World, the story of the Suffragettes, as 5 15-minute episodes broadcast as part of Women's Hour on BBC Radio 4
.
'The Days of Glory':
'The New Millennium':
Patrick Barlow
Patrick Barlow is an English actor, comedian and playwright. His comedic alter ego, Desmond Olivier Dingle, is the founder, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the two-man National Theatre of Brent, which has performed on stage, on television and on radio.-Radio:Barlow is the scriptwriter, as...
plays Desmond Olivier Dingle, the troupe's founder, Artistic Director and Chief Executive. The role of his assistant (or as Desmond likes to call him, "my entire company") has been taken by different actors over the years, including Jim Broadbent
Jim Broadbent
James "Jim" Broadbent is an English theatre, film, and television actor. He is known for his roles in Iris, Moulin Rouge!, Topsy-Turvy, Hot Fuzz, and Bridget Jones' Diary...
(as Wallace), Robert Austin (as Bernard), and John Ramm
John Ramm
John Ramm is a British comedian and actor. He plays Raymond Box in the National Theatre of Brent, and has also appeared on film and television in Robin Hood , The Palace, Foyle's War and as Makepeace's neighbour in Shakespeare in Love.On stage, he has appeared with the Royal Shakespeare Company...
(as Raymond Box). Their 1998 production Love Upon the Throne (featuring Barlow as Prince Charles and Ramm as Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
) was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Comedy. Barlow has written two books in the character of Desmond Olivier Dingle, Shakespeare: The Truth! and All the World's a Globe: From Lemur to Cosmonaut, both of which have been adapted for radio. Their radio production in 2007 was The Arts and How They Was Done, starring Barlow and Ramm, with Harriet Walter
Harriet Walter
Dame Harriet Mary Walter, DBE is a British actress.-Personal life:She is the niece of renowned British actor Sir Christopher Lee, as the daughter of his elder sister Xandra Lee. On her father's side she is a great-great-great-granddaughter of John Walter, founder of The TimesShe was educated at...
as guest star. In September 2011 they produced Giant Ladies That Changed The World, the story of the Suffragettes, as 5 15-minute episodes broadcast as part of Women's Hour on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
.
Productions
'The Pioneering Days':- 1980 - The Charge of the Light Brigade
- 1981 - Zulu!!
- 1982 - The Black Hole of Calcutta
- 1982 - Wagner's Ring Cycle
- 1983 - The Messiah (On Television)
- 1983 - The Messiah
- 1984 - The Complete Guide to Sex
- 1985 - Mighty Moments from World History (On Television)
- 1987 - Greatest Story Ever Told
- 1989 - Revolution!!Revolution!!Revolution!! is a 1989 television comedy film by the National Theatre of Brent, the British comedy double-act. It stars Patrick Barlow as Desmond Olivier Dingle and Jim Broadbent as Wallace, and is written by Patrick Barlow, with Jim Broadbent and Martin Duncan...
(On Television) - 1990 - All the World's a Globe (BBC Radio 3 & 4)
'The Days of Glory':
- 1993 - The Complete Life and Works of Shakespeare
- 1995 - Oh Dear Purcell!
- 1996 - Greatest Story Ever Told (On Radio)
- 1997 - The Mysteries of Sex
- 1997 - The Brent Shakespeare Masterclass
- 1998 - Love Upon the Throne
- 1999 - Massive Landmarks of the Twentieth Century
'The New Millennium':
- 2000-1 - The Messiah
- 2001-2 - The Wonder of Sex
- 2004 - The Complete and Utter History of the Mona Lisa - BBC Radio 4
- 2006 - The Messiah -BBC Radio 4
- 2007 - The Arts and How they was Done - BBC Radio 4
- 2011 - Giant Ladies That Changed The World - BBC Radio 4