Old Red Lion Theatre, Tuesday 12th January – Saturday 6th February 2016

Something to cheer you up as January 2016 gets into its stride.

Botallack O’Clock is a funny, moving and thought-provoking journey into the creative mind of Roger Hilton CBE, one of the most unique voices in post-war British art. The show depicts a suspended hour of the night where Hilton’s past and present combine with his vivid imagination and tenacious personality, giving a humorous and intriguing insight into the mind of a true artist.

In 1965, after representing Britain at the Venice Biennale, Hilton moved to the Cornish coastal village of Botallack, where his working routine began to break down, mainly as a result of his increasing addiction to alcohol (which he had long used to creative effect). For the final two years of his life, Hilton took permanently to his bed, where he continued to work, leaning over the side of his bed to paint on sheets of paper laid on the floor. Hilton would work through the night with only his thoughts, his imaginings and a temperamental radio for company.

Writer Eddie Elks said, Roger’s thoughts and ideas, much like his paintings, are as relevant and arresting now as they were then.  In a letter to his mother, whilst serving in WWII, Roger wondered whether one day his life would be made into a story. I hope he would have approved.  Elks previously wrote a play about artist Sir Terry Frost and it was during research for this production that he first heard the name Roger Hilton and decided to bring his story to the stage as well.

Botallack O’Clock: Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John Street, London EC1V 4NJ, www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk.

Tuesday 12th January – Saturday 6th February 2016 Tuesday to Saturday, 7.30pm
Saturday matinees, 2.30pm
Sunday matinees, 3pm

70 minutes
@thirdmantheatre @ORLTheatre, #botallackoclock

Tickets are available priced £15 (£12 concessions) Previews and matinees priced £10
Available from Old Red Lion Theatre Box Office and www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk or 0844 412 4307