Private Project

Mr Theatre Comes Home Different

A funny and moving glimpse behind the safety curtain.
Witness the love scene, the storm scene, the inevitable death scene and remember, it’s all only pretend.

Pulitzer-nominated playwright, Will Eno's monologue Mr Theatre Comes Home Different has been adapted for the screen to celebrate all those who have been unable to work in the theatre industry due to the pandemic.

Made in London, during lockdown in April 2021, with a cast of 12 actors and a small, dedicated crew, Mr Theatre Comes Home Different was conceived to raise money for the Theatre Artists Fund, supporting theatre freelancers in the UK. Now, as COVID-19 takes centre stage once again, we're releasing Mr Theatre to film festivals to continue generating support as an already fragile industry faces further disruption and potentially irreparable damage.

Let’s set the stage again. Together.

  • Adam Jackson-Smith
    Director
  • David Symmons
    Director
  • Will Eno
    Writer
    Thom Pain,The Realistic Joneses, Open House
  • Matthew Pitts-Tucker
    Producer
    Eugene O'neill's The First Man
  • Michael Cusick
    Producer
  • Samantha Womack
    Key Cast
    "Mr Theatre"
    Eastenders, Game on
  • Adam Jackson-Smith
    Key Cast
    "Mr Theatre"
    Master of None, Youth, Casualty
  • Bethan Cullinane
    Key Cast
    "Mr Theatre"
    Hotel Portofino, Casualty
  • Milo Twomey
    Key Cast
    "Mr Theatre"
    A Discovery of Witches, War of the Worlds, Band of Brothers, MotherFatherSon
  • Saffron Coomber
    Key Cast
    "Mr Theatre"
    Small Axe, Strike, Cuffs, Tracy Beaker returns
  • Jonathan Livingstone
    Key Cast
    "Mr Theatre"
    The Witches, Death in Paradise, Chewing Gum
  • Jenna Boyd
    Key Cast
    "Mr Theatre"
    Les Miserables, Coronation Street
  • Charlotte Arrowsmith
    Key Cast
    "Mr Theatre"
    RSC:As you Like it, Taming of the Shrew, Troilus & Cressida
  • Shelley King
    Key Cast
    "Mr Theatre"
    Coronation Street,
  • Eliza Hunt
    Key Cast
    "Mr Theatre"
    This Country, Cardinal Burns, Grange Hill
  • Michael Cusick
    Key Cast
    "Mr Theatre"
    Punchdrunk
  • Naeem Hayat
    Key Cast
    "Mr Theatre "
    The Girl on The Train, Hamlet
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 33 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 28, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    0 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Adam Jackson-Smith, David Symmons

Adam trained as an Actor at RADA. He works in the UK in theatre, film & TV. Most recently, he appeared in Master of None on Netflix. He is currently filming a feature & writing a series of adventure films.

David Symmons works in the TV and film industry in the UK. He has worked as a D.O.P. for many short films and features filmed in Britain and beyond.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This film was made to raise awareness that theatre has suffered its hardest 18 months due to the global pandemic, and that many people's jobs rely on this industry to thrive. From playwrights, actors, and backstage crew, to ushers, hospitality, Box Office and facilities staff, everyone connected to theatre has had a punishing couple of years. We screened the film at an exclusive fundraiser in May 2021 and raised money for the Theatre Artists Fund in the UK. We now want to showcase this wonderful piece of work by Will Eno, realised by our dedicated cast and crew.

The film’s mission to encourage people to support theatre artists and freelancers is, unfortunately, as relevant as ever. As COVID-19 takes another bow, we must ensure Theatre doesn’t take its last.