Getting into character at Fifth Avenue

Actors starring in a forthcoming play at the Almeida Theatre, London recently spent the night in a four-bedroom showhome at Barratt’s Fifth Avenue development in Harlow to ‘get into character’ during their rehearsals.

The Almeida Theatre has attracted some of the world’s finest writers and directors; actors who have performed there include Ralph Fiennes, Kevin Spacey, Imelda Staunton and David Morrissey.

Their next production is the European premier of Jez Butterworth’s Parlour Song, which will run from 19th March to 9th May Parlour Song stars Andrew Lincoln, who appeared in the film Love Actually and the TV programme Teachers, Amanda Drew, of Eastenders and Toby Jones, who was recently in the film W. The trio wanted to stay in a Barratt home as the play has a similar setting; they were joined by director Ian Rickson, and assistant director Lootie Johansen.

Ian Rickson says: “The play is about a demolition expert, Ned, who lives in a nice house on a nice new estate on the edge of the English countryside. He loves his job, barbeques and car boot sales. Outwardly, his life is entirely unremarkable; not unlike his friend and neighbour Dale. However, there are three big questions: why has he not slept a wink in six months? Why is he so terrified of his attractive wife Joy? And why is it every time he leaves on business, something else goes missing from his home?

“Parlour Song is a black, hilarious exploration of deceit, paranoia and murderous desire in leafy suburbia. We were very grateful to Barratt for allowing us to rehearse in their very comfortable showhome at Fifth Avenue; although the play itself is not really like real life, being at the development was very useful and we felt very relaxed and at home there.”

For more information on the play, visit Almeida.co.uk.

Fifth Avenue offers a wide choice of new homes, from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom houses. Already, more than 227 homes are occupied and now it’s even easier to buy at the development under the new HomeBuy Direct scheme; this gives homebuyers the chance to move in for only 70 per cent of the purchase price. Buyers will receive up to a 30 per cent equity loan funded jointly by Barratt North London and the Government. The offer is open to first time buyers and key workers where the household income is less than £60,000 per year.

Prices at Fifth Avenue are from £130,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £160,000 for a two-bed apartment. To register interest in HomeBuy Direct go barratthomes.co.uk/homebuydirect.