Frank and Percy

People cross our paths for a reason. That, no doubt, reads like a horrible cliché but I never claimed to be a good writer, only an honest one. I believe the reason I met you was to become comfortable in my own skin.

Ever seen a couple of old boys on a park bench and wondered what they are chatting about? In his new play Ben Weatherill lets us overhear Frank and Percy as they discuss the weather, then their dogs and then each other and so much more. Will the widowed schoolteacher and the elder statesman dare to risk changing their lives or let sleeping dogs lie?

Frank and Percy is a poignant and witty take on the unexpected relationship that blossoms between two men.

Old friends, three-time Olivier Award winner Roger Allam, and one of our greatest stage and screen actors, Ian McKellen, re-unite for this witty, moving two-hander.

This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere at Theatre Royal Windsor, in June 2023.

Ben Weatherill trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and was part of the Royal Court Theatre’s Young Writer’s Programme and Invitation Only Group. He is currently the Literary Manager at the Old Red Lion Theatre, as well as Playwright-in-Residence at Curve Leicester. Chicken Dust is Ben Weatherill’s professional debut. His play Tastes like Chicken was longlisted for the Bruntwood Prize 2013 and his short play The Next Five Years was seen at Theatre503. His first television pilot, Scorned, reached the final stage of BBC WritersRoom Script Room 7 competition. Subsequently, he was invited to join the Skylight group at the BBC Writer’s Festival.