Gavin Robertson as James Bond in “BOND: An Unauthorized Parody.” Photo courtesy of Tasty Monster Productions
Dive into the world of that suave secret agent, James Bond, as he plants the British flag in a live theater production at the Workhouse. Bond won’t be alone either; the production will have a wealth of eccentric characters; good and evil, male and female, along with original music adding urbane flair to the action and antics.
The one-man show is a loving lampoon and theater of the imagination of all things James Bond. It’s called, “BOND: An Unauthorized Parody.” Each of the myriad characters in the show is played by one British actor, Gavin Robertson. He also wrote the script which has received rave reviews in England and now comes to America.
“BOND: An Unauthorized Parody” has been brought to the Workhouse by an American theatre production company with the memorable name, Tasty Monster Productions. Tasty Monster aims “to produce cutting edge theatrical and musical works for new audiences.”
Where and When
“BOND: An Unauthorized Parody” at the Workhouse Arts Center, W-3 Theatre, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Performances: June 29 to July 3. The June 29-July 2 performances are 8 p.m. Tickets for the June 29 preview performance $10. Tickets for June 30-July 2 performances are $18-$25. On July 3 at 7 p.m. there is a special VIP performance with tickets $30. The July 3 performance includes a drink token redeemable for a serving of beer, wine or soft drink of choice. There will be a fireworks display following the performance (weather dependent) at the Workhouse Arts Center. VIP ticket includes free parking for this special event. Information call 703-584-2900 or visit http://www.workhous…">www.workhouseart.org
Heather Bagnall and Luke Tudball, are the Tasty Monster co-artistic directors. Bagnall, a D.C. and Northern Virginia area actor, called “BOND” not only fun, “but something you can bring your kids to. It is intelligently farcical and original.” Tudball noted that “everyone needs a hero, needs a laugh and needs an escape once in a while. And everyone enjoys a good spy story!”
Robertson described the production as “a distillation of typical Bond moments, atmospheres and jeopardy situations.” As for the many characters, “Well...yes I play everybody...heroes, villains, women and bit-parts! I’ve likened it to a kind of Bond-meets-Scooby-Doo-in-a-suit kind of style. Imagine a cartoon onstage and that’s pretty much it!”
When asked about the various actors who have played James Bond in the movies over the decades, Robertson indicated he “pokes good fun with each” as he has distilled and condensed crackling situations into an exuberant action-packed 60 minutes.
“I take the audience on a journey with a Bond film they think they’ve already seen but actually haven’t! My challenge is to parody the style so well it’s typical though in fact an original storyline. Of course, it’s ridiculous and improbable, ” added Robertson.
Bagnall said that, “you’ll have the time of your life in 60 minutes. This show is fun, fast-paced and family friendly. It’s smart which means the kids will have a great time, but it’s really written to the adults, the kid in all of us who always wanted to be a secret agent.”