Beryl Cook: A Private View
A celebration of the life of
Beryl Cook (1926-2008)
written and performed by
Kara Wilson
with the support of
John and Teresa Cook
Kara completed this play about the much loved British artist Beryl Cook with the extraordinary good luck of having the artist’s own family to help. Kara had always wanted to portray Beryl but it wasn’t till 2023 that she persevered in finding a contact for the family. After a few zoom sessions with Beryl’s son John and his wife Teresa, Kara went down to Plymouth with her first ideas for the play. Although people feel they know Beryl from her wonderfully funny and affectionate paintings, the real Beryl was a very private person who shunned any kind of publicity and hated giving interviews. It has been a profound pleasure and a privilege for Kara to work with John and Teresa to shed light on this intriguing character. Kara has also appreciated the help received from Sophie Cook, Beryl’s granddaughter who runs the business.
The show previewed twice in London in the spring of 2024 at the King Alfred Phoenix Theatre, Hampstead.
The show had its premiere at the Attic, Pleasance Courtyard in the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 31st July – 25th August and sold out daily.
NEXT PERFORMANCES:
SEPTEMBER Wednesday 10th 2025
THE RADLETT CENTRE
Box office 01923 859291
SEPTEMBER Friday 26th 2025
BARBICAN THEATRE, PLYMOUTH
Contact info@karawilson.co.uk