A 40-YEAR friendship and a love affair with Pembrokeshire have brought an uplifting work of art to our county's stage, written by world-famous actress and playwright, Lynn Redgrave OBE. Her latest play, Nightingale, is to be performed for just one night, in Haverfordwest's Merlin Theatre, on Friday, July 21. The play is inspired by friendship, and it is friendship, too, that brings the work to Pembrokeshire. Redgrave and fellow actresses, Caroline John and Jennie Jones, have been friends since they were students at the Central School of Speech and Drama over 40 years ago. All three have gone on to lead successful acting careers, all were members of the first National Theatre Company under the direction of Sir Laurence Olivier, and they have remained close through their happiest and their darkest times. Sci-Fi aficionados will be interested to know that Caroline played assistant Liz Shaw to John Pertwee's Dr. Who in 1970. Redgrave wrote Nightingale as a gift to Caroline, following difficult years for them both. The play, performed by Caroline, is loosely based on the life of Lynn's grandmother, Beatrice Kempson. A heart- rending observation of a woman's journey through life, from the tribulations of adolescence to the insight of old age, the script pays homage to her remarkable character. As a further extraordinary tribute to the ladies' friendship, Caroline will make the journey to Pembrokeshire to perform the play in aid of the Pendyffryn Children's Trust - a charity founded by Jennie. The Trust provides holidays in Pembrokeshire for children and families who have suffered trauma. When setting up the Trust 13 years ago, Jennie knew that Pembrokeshire was the perfect setting. Having loved the county all her life, she could see the therapeutic potential for respite holidays on our beautiful coast and has since dedicated her time to realising this potential, to the happiness of many deserving families. This heart-warming set of events presents a rare opportunity to see the celebrated work of Lynn Redgrave - the only performance of this play outside of London and Los Angeles, where Redgrave will be performing the play in October. At the same time, funds will be raised for the Pendyffryn Children's Trust. Advance tickets will guarantee a seat for this exclusive performance, available from Ocky White Travel, Ocky White's Haverfordwest (cash and cheques only). A few tickets may also be bought on the night from 6.45 pm in the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College. The performance starts at 7.30 pm.
