Secrets of Showbiz starring Anita Harris

Discover the secrets of showbiz in a brand new show!

In this afternoon of conversation, you’ll discover the backstage secrets and stories from three stars who have worked and performed with some of the biggest names in entertainment.

Singer, actress and entertainer Anita Harris has been in showbiz for nearly 65 years. From Carry On movies to hit songs selling millions, she’s never been off our screens appearing on the Morecambe and Wise Show, Royal Variety Performances, Casualty, EastEnders and many more. Anita also performed on The Strip in ITV’s Last Laugh in Vegas. She’s done it all!

Alan Goldsmith is one of the last 60’s music and show promoters who began in the business when he was just 18. It wasn’t long before he was working with the biggest names in music including Elton John, The Who, Small Faces and Dionne Warwick. Alan will be revealing how much he paid Stevie Wonder when he booked him for a local gig, and why he turned down Tom Jones and decided not to book The Rolling Stones!

The afternoon is hosted by popular radio presenter Steve Scruton who will be sharing tales of his 35 years broadcasting on BBC Essex, the stars he’s interviewed in the studio, and those he has worked with on stage. He’s chatted to more than 20,000 guests over the years including Rod Stewart who gave him an unexpected hug, and an East End gangster who made him a shocking offer – he has many stories to tell!

Upgrade to the limited VIP package to get front seats, meet Anita, Alan and Steve after the show, receive a welcome drink on your arrival to the theatre, and a few special treats to make your afternoon even more memorable.

** To book VIP tickets please call the theatre box office on 01277 200305 or visit us in-person **

18 05, 2023

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An Audience With John Heffernan

Join us for an intimate conversation with star of The National Theatre and RSC – and local boy – John Heffernan.

Born just down the road in Billericay, John started his acting career at the Brentwood Theatre, appearing in plays with The Hutton Players and the Brentwood Shakespeare Company; for playing Florizel in The Winters Tale he won a local Best Actor Award.

John has worked with the English Touring Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, taking the lead roles of Edward II at the National and Oppenheimer with the RSC which transferred to the West End.

He has appeared on screen in a number of roles, including Henry Lascelles in the BBC adaptation of the novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Jaggers in Dickensian and Steven Rose in the fourth series of Luther. In 2017 he played John Grigg in an episode of the Netflix series The Crown. In film he was recently seen in The Duke playing alongside Jim Broadbent.

John returned to the National Theatre in 2022 to play the co-lead opposite Katherine Parkinson in a new production of Much Ado About Nothing directed by Simon Godwin.

8 04, 2022

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An Audience With Kenneth Cranham

Brentwood Theatre presents

An Audience With Kenneth Cranham

After being rescheduled twice we’re thrilled to announce the return of the Brentwood Boy turned star of the stage, film and television!

Known for his roles in films such as Made in Dagenham, Maleficent, Oliver!, Valkyrie and Layer Cake for one night only Olivier Award winning actor Kenneth Cranham will grace the Brentwood Theatre stage to be interviewed about his journey from growing up in Brentwood to the stage of The National Theatre and beyond in an intimate evening where you will even get the chance to ask the questions.

Kenneth Cranham has been a major theatre, TV, radio and film actor for more than 50 years. In his early career after graduating from RADA he worked and became friends with the playwright Joe Orton as he did later on with Harold Pinter, appearing in a number of his plays including The Caretaker and The Homecoming on stage and on TV with Pinter himself in The Birthday Party. In the 1980’s Ken became known to a wider audience in the TV series of Shine on Harvey Moon which is still enjoyed to this day being available on DVD. In the early 90’s Ken appeared in the ground breaking National Theatre production of An Inspector Calls which subsequently enjoyed great success in the West End and on tour in America. In 2015 Ken achieved his first Olivier award for Best Actor in The Father in which he movingly portrayed a man with Alzheimer’s disease.

On film Ken has appeared in such iconic films as Layer Cake, Made in Dagenham, Chocolat, Valkyrie, Gangster No 1 and the musical film of Oliver!

On TV he recently appeared in the drama Hatton Garden. He is currently filming Finding Alice which is currently due to air on TV later this year.

Ken is married with 2 children and lives in North London.

All profits from this event will go to Brentwood Theatre Trust