

In 1974 Alan Bennett befriended Miss Mary Shepherd, an eccentric, cantankerous and rather smelly old lady. She ‘temporarily’ parked her dilapidated van outside Bennett’s London home – and stayed for 15 years.
"The Lady in the Van" is a mostly true story of the fascinating relationship between the award-winning British writer and his long-term guest. Was she a fugitive on the run? A talented pianist? A nun? Or just an old lady struggling with mental health and homelessness?
Touching, uplifting and heartbreakingly funny, "The Lady in the Van" is classic Alan Bennett. Share the fondness and frustrations of the legendary writer as he navigates life with a very peculiar tenant in this moving, bittersweet comedy.
Best-known for the celebrated 2015 film starring Maggie Smith, this incredible new stage production stars international icon Miriam Margolyes ("I’ll Eat You Last") as Miss Shepherd and Daniel Frederiksen ("Abigail’s Party") as Alan Bennett, directed by Dean Bryant ("An Ideal Husband").
The venue is wheelchair accessible. An Assistive Hearing system is available. Assistance Animals are welcome in all areas of Arts Centre Melbourne and water bowls are available on request.
BY TRAIN: The closest train station is Flinders Street Station. Exit the station onto Swanston Street, turn your back on the city and walk across Princes Bridge.
BY TRAM: The tram routes that stop in front of Arts Centre Melbourne are: 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72. This stop is number 14 – “Arts Precinct"
BY BICYCLE: Bicycle lanes run north and south along St Kilda Road. On-street bicycle hoops are available outside Hamer Hall and the Theatres Building (under the Spire)
BY CAR: Arts Centre Melbourne's paid undercover car park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is extremely limited street parking.
Unfortunately, tickets for this event are no longer available.
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