A Question of Errol Flynn - In Development
A Question of Errol Flynn by Karen Lynne began life as an acclaimed stage production, earning strong reviews for its sharp writing, humour, and emotional depth.
Originally set on a stylised stage-boat, the new screen version will take the story out to sea — quite literally — aboard a real vessel.
This shift creates a more immersive, cinematic experience where the audience feels they can’t escape the boat’s claustrophobic tension.
Stage Cast of A Question of Errol Flynn by Karen Lynne
Directed by Graham Howes
Some pictures from the stage version:
Sophie Scannell and Luke Rose Picture Mike Kwasniak
Luke Rose and Gary Turner in the stage version
All Pictures: Mike Kwasniak
Erin Geraghty as Mother Picture: Mike Kwasniak
ERROL FLYNN…
played by GARY TURNER.
Star of Hollyoaks – Let Loose and Emmerdale.
THE WRITER…
played by LUKE ROSE.
Actor, fight director and Fencing expert
MOTHER…
played by ERIN GERAGHTY.
Star of Angels and The Chief.
THE GIRL…
played by SOPHIE SCANNELL.
Star of Carrie’s War and Little Women
Reviews:
Errol Flynn was an Australian-born American actor who achieved worldwide fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood and was known for his romantic hero roles. He also had a reputation for his womanising, his hedonistic lifestyle which included drinking, smoking and narcotics abuse.
Karen Lynne’s brilliant, funny, moving and deep play explores the difficult, charming, elusive and flawed actor. Kind permission from one of his daughters, Rory, was given for Karen to write the play. It is a fictional play where we deep dive into the pressure cooker scenario of a complex man.
We find Errol Flynn on his schooner moored off the coast of Jamaica with his biographer, his mother whom he dislikes and his latest girlfriend who is loving and young. The play is set when Errol Flynn is fifty, the age he died, and as it’s based mainly around writing the biography, it is very reflective of his life. All four of them are on the boat and the biographer gets to observe Errol up close and personal and their relationships with each other. The biographer asks a lot of questions to get to the truth of his life and Errol, depending on his mood and state of mind, either answers them honestly or responds with a question which means we get to know the biographer more.
The relationships are either up or down, depending on Errol’s state of mind which is very sporadic, depending on what he’s drinking, how much sleep he’s had or whether he’s self-medicating. It’s volatile to say the least, we get to understand the strained relationship he has with his mother, the interesting relationship with the girlfriend, who is probably just the latest woman in his life, and the developing relationship Errol has with the biographer which certainly improves after their fight.
The play never lets up and is full of drama. Errol Flynn loves life and wants to experience everything to the point where one minute they are drinking, then next they are sword-fighting, or he’s either playing mind games or pushing the biographer overboard with a smile.
This play has adult language, themes, and scenarios. The show is fast paced, funny, tragic and dramatic and the four actors are very talented. Gary Turner, who has been in Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, Soldier Soldier, The Bill and other shows was completely engaging and held the audience. It’s an interesting play, seeing the complex mind of another person and their relationships helps you appreciate any simplicity you have in your own life!
Cast:
Gary Turner – Errol Flynn
The Writer – Luke Rose
Mother – Erin Geraghty
Girlfriend – Sophie Scannell
GRAPEVINE MAGAZINE – HAYLEY CLAPPERTON
“Karen Lynne you are a genius. It was a fantastic spin on his life and troubles. I grew up watching his movies over and over and read a book on him and his life off camera. Equally swashbuckling!! Go see the show. You won’t be disappointed!” PERRY EVANS
A Question of Errol Flynn’ – honestly….I knew nothing of Errol Flynn; my husbands choice but I loved it. An actor I shall go and learn more about and watch some films! A must see performance from 4 amazing actors. I really loved it. Go see it whilst you can!” JEN EVANS
Tweets about: A QUESTION OF ERROL FLYNN
“Fantastic performance! Went to see it this evening. I hold my hands up & admit knowing not a lot about EF; but my husband @SuffolkBaggie is somewhat of an expert; we both loved it & will be telling everyone we know about it! Well done cast & crew, it was brilliant!”
“Just WOW!! Thx to the hard working cast for an amazing show. Loved the journalist twist & how the actors showed a troubled soul who was equally infamous off stage. Go see it now!”
“Dancing, sword fight, laughter and tears – all wrapped up in this fantastic show. ” Emma Seahorse
“I went to “A question of Errol Flynn” last night.
A play of great depth, exploring dysfunctional relationships with a fading star at it’s centre.
His formidable Mother played by Erin Geraghty admits to locking the child in a room for 3 days because ” she was frightened of what she would do to him.
An erratic charming alcohol fueled Errol played by Gary Turner has little regard for his long term beautiful young girlfriend played by Sophie Scannell.
His biographer, a bundle of angst and energy played by Luke Rose completes this wonderful cast.
They bring to life the claustrophobic heady days of life on board a yacht in the middle of the Caribbean.
The “star” knows his days are numbered a fact constantly drummed in by mother.
He has it all! But the adoring attentions of his ‘little one’ are barely noticed by the rarely sober Flynn.
Throughout the play the biographer draws out painful memories and mines ‘the legend’ for more and more “everyone wants something from him” A cynical sadness haunts him. His moral compass firmly set to his own agenda.
On the surface the play oozes the glamour of Hollywood in the 50’s with the skill of costume designer Mary Hunt
There are cocktail hour dances and moments of real connection but through it all the brewing storm is never far away.
I’d like to see it again.
A passionate and intriguing play written by Karen Lynne produced by Missing Pieces and directed by Graham Howes
2 more days to catch it 3 more performances Sir John Mills Theatre.”
AGNES LILLIS
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Question of Errol Flynn
Missing Pieces
Errol Flynn was born to trouble … writer Karen Lynne had ample material.
We even have a re-enactment of the famous sword fight of Flynn and Rathbone in the 1938 Robin Hood film.
Deeply flawed, misanthropic, Flynn is nevertheless seen as a man of culture and learning, a mix that Gary Turner deals with relish.
The other characters also prove to be complex. The slightly nerdish biographer, in bow tie, specs and straw hat (Luke Rose), the bobby soxer girlfriend (Sophie Scannell) and the possessive Mum (Erin Geraghty) all reveal deeper traits that the actors reveal with skill.
Graham Howes’ production, set on a boat with a hurricane coming, is a chastening picture of the devil’s bargain of worldly success.
BASIL ABBOTT
A Question Of Errol Flynn