The Truth About Harry Beck, playing at London Transport Museum, has been extended to January - and groups of 10 or more can now book with a discounted rate.
London Transport Museum in association with Dan Colman Creative Ltd present the Natural Theatre Company production of The Truth About Harry Beck, which recently opened to critical acclaim at the Museum’s on-site Cubic Theatre, in the heart of Covent Garden.
The Truth About Harry Beck
This play tells the story of the designer of the iconic version of the London Tube map, Harry Beck.
For many, the Underground is purely functional. But to Harry Beck, this web of geography became an obsession – a fascination with the creation of the perfect Tube map.
How did Beck create the iconic map of today, and at what cost? To understand you need to meet Harry, and his wife Nora.
Take a glimpse inside a journey of passion, a wife’s dedication and the living breathing network of the tunnels and train tracks in our capital. Embrace your inner transport enthusiast through a mash up of real-life accounts, uncovered anecdotes and seemingly unconnected facts (with a peppering of fictitious characters).
Writer and director Andy Burden said:“We are absolutely delighted at the wonderful reception we’ve had since opening, and we are even more delighted to be bringing Harry Beck's story to life to a brand-new theatre audience in this fabulous museum!”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Burden’s script and direction are smartly pitched” “Elegant and beautiful” “a wonderful complement to the London Transport Museum” Everything Theatre
The Cast
Written and directed by Andy Burden, with set design by Sue Condie, Harry Beck is played by Simon Snashall and his wife Nora by actress Ashley Christmas.
Simon’s TV credits include Humans, The IT Crowd, Silent Witness, Spooks, and Inspector Lynley Mysteries. His theatre credits include Summer Street (Brighton Fringe, Waterloo East), Horrible Christmas (Birmingham Stage), Around the World I Eighty Days (Arcola), and 'Tony Hancock' in Hancock’s Last Half Hour (Southwold Summer Theatre / Henley Fringe).
For her role as Nora, Ashley has received an Offies Award nomination for 'Best Lead Performance in a Play'. Ashley is a long-time collaborator with Andy Burden and has worked with the Natural Theatre Company for over 20 years, including in the previous production of The Truth About Harry Beck at the Ustinov Studio in Bath. Her theatre credits include Darcy’s Ball (Mission Theatre, Bath), Crimes on the Coast (New Old Friends), See How They Run (York Theatre Royal), Alice Through the Looking Glass (Tobacco Factory), The Bloody Chamber (Proteus Theatre).
A New Vision for London Transport Museum
Inspired by the culture and creativity of the West End, the introduction of theatre is one example of how London Transport Museum is expanding its programming for new audiences.
Music, performance and even more art and design will allow people to explore London’s rich transport history and the influential characters that have shaped London; this is part of the new strategic vision for London Transport Museum, led by Director and CEO Elizabeth McKay.
Elizabeth McKay, Director and CEO for London Transport Museum, said: “London Transport Museum is a cultural cornerstone in Covent Garden in the heart of theatreland and this play lets you experience one of London’s little-known stories in a brand-new live format. We are bringing the capital’s rich history and characters alive for you.”
Special Offer:
London Transport Museum are offering ticket holders for The Truth About Harry Beck a half-price day pass to the Museum, valid from one month from the selected performance date. Further details and terms and conditions can be found here.
Essential Information:
Where: The Cubic Theatre, Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB.
When: Now playing until 5 January 2025.
Performances: Fridays (8pm), Saturdays (1.30pm, 4pm and 7.30pm) Sundays (1.00pm and 3.30pm). Variations from 10 December – please refer to website for details.
Please Note: Age guidance for enjoyment of the show is 11+ but children aged age 5+ are welcomed into the theatre.
Book: Tickets available to book here
Travel to London Transport Museum
Walking: Use TfL's walking guides to help you plan your journey.
Nearest stations to London Transport Museum are:
Underground: Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Charing Cross, Embankment, Holborn
National Rail: Charing Cross and Waterloo
Boat: Embankment or Westminster pier
Bus: Strand or Aldwych
Website: www.ltmuseum.co.uk