Oliver Bennett stars in Pass the Hat, a new one-man show inspired by the book Farewell Leicester Square by Henry Hollis.
Vladimir Shcherban directs the show which is co-devised with performer Oliver Bennett at Stone Nest, Shaftesbury Avenue. This poignant work is an intimate exploration into the passion behind performance and how memory – real or imagined – can shape our lives.
Beneath the surface of every family there are mysteries. Actor Oliver Bennett embarks on a search for his family history that unexpectedly leads to the world of a busker arrested over 500 times, Soho gangsters and even the royal family.
Ticket information can be found here
You’re starring in Pass The Hat at Stone Nest, what can you tell us about the show?
HUNCHtheatre’s ‘Pass the Hat’ is a very personal show for us. There was a mystery in my family. My grandad never knew who his father was. Over lockdown I mentioned this to my HUNCHtheatre partner Vladimir Shcherban and he encouraged me to investigate. I went on an unexpected journey through time and space, discovering a West End busker arrested 575 times, gangsters, psychics and even the royal family…
You also co-devised Pass The Hat, what was it about the book Farewell Leicester Square that inspired you to create to this live piece?
‘Farewell Leicester Square’ is the memoir of Henry Hollis, an infamous busker in the 50s and 60s in the West End. Reading his vivid memories during lockdown was intoxicating. He brings to life the colour and noise of a London that is gone forever. But there is a spirit in him that is permanent – the passionate need to create in spite of all obstacles, to turn pain into joy through performance. We felt that this was the message we needed to present with our first show post-lockdown. It was a perfect example of how we can continue as a small theatre company after the disaster our industry has been through over the last two years.
What can audiences expect when they come to see the show?
It is a very energetic, funny and touching show. It is directed by multi award-winning Vladimir Shcherban, who is known for creating beautiful and intense performances. He has a background in documentary theatre, directing many key shows for Belarus Free Theatre. This has created a unique mixture of documentary style and street performance. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this combination before on stage. The ethos of HUNCHtheatre has always been to mix styles, mixing European and British theatre, as I am from London and Vladimir Shcherban was born in Ukraine. This show is a continuation of that.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far in mounting the production?
Vladimir and I have made many shows, but this is our first one-man show.
We felt it was necessary for such a personal story. I am playing lots of different characters, each with their own rhythm and spirit. This is always a challenge. In the devising process we unearthed so much rich material, so it was a challenge to edit it down into an hour of stage time!
Tell us a little about the venue, and why you think it’s ideal for Pass The Hat?
This show is a co-production between HUNCHtheatre and Stone Nest. This is our second time performing here, together we were the first companies performing on the West End in 2020 in between lockdowns. Stone Nest is the best alternative arts space in the West End, a beautiful venue that is doing the vital work of supporting smaller companies make theatre.
We could not have a more perfect venue for the show. It is right in the heart of the West End, where many of the events in the play take place. It is a very intimate space. We will bring the past to life in front of your very eyes. It will be a unique and special experience to rediscover the recent history of the streets outside the window.
What would you say to anyone thinking about coming to see Pass The Hat?
You do not want to miss this! There are only 10 shows and all performances follow the great busking tradition of ‘pay what you want’. We wanted to make this experience available to anyone and everyone. It is a joyful show that touches on the depths of experience – our characters go through war, poverty and unexpected success – and shows the triumph of the imagination.
