TWO well known stars of stage and screen combine for a fresh look at the tantalising and true story of friendship based on the original novel of 84 Charing Cross Road.

Full casting was recently announced for this Cambridge Arts Theatre touring production which has been adapted by James Roose-Evans from Helene Hanff’s original story in collaboration with Lee Dean and Salisbury Playhouse.

Joining Stefanie Powers (Helene Hanff) and Clive Francis (Frank Doel) are Fiona Bruce (Mrs Todd), Loren O’Dair (Megan/Maxine), William Oxborrow (Mr Martin), Samantha Sutherland (Cecily Farr) and Ben Tolley (Bill Humphries/Alvin).

A tender and heart-warming tale of transatlantic friendship, 84 Charing Cross Road is a bitter-sweet comedy based on the extraordinary true story of the remarkable relationship that developed over 20 years between a vivacious New York writer and a London bookseller.

Through their exchange of humorous and often intimate correspondence a snapshot of Britain from the post-war 1940s to the swinging 60s is revealed, alongside a touching human story that still resonates today.

Helene Hanff (1916-1997) was an American novelist and screenwriter whose principal works include 84 Charing Cross Road, Q’s Legacy, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street and Underfoot in Show Business.


James Roose-Evans founded the Hampstead Theatre in London and The Bleddfa Centre for the Creative Spirit. His numerous credits also include a landmark adaptation of Laurie Lee’s Cider with Rosie; and directing Sir John Gielgud’s last appearance on the London stage.

He is the first British theatre director to be ordained a non-stipendiary priest, and has preached in Westminster Abbey, Winchester, Chichester, Gloucester, and Norwich cathedrals.

Stefanie Powers is a star of stage and screen with a career spanning over 50 years.

She is best known for her iconic role opposite Robert Wagner in Hart to Hart, which ran over five series and eight TV movies between 1979 and 1996.

Her film and TV credits include McLintock!, The Magnificent Seven Ride Again, The Rockford Files, The Bionic Woman, The Six Million Dollar Man and The Girl From U.N.C.L.E. 

Clive Francis’s recent theatre credits include An Inspector Calls (West End), Les Blancs (National Theatre) and Enron; on screen he has appeared in The Queen, Mr Turner and most recently as Lord Salisbury in the award-winning Netflix series, The Crown.


84 Charing Cross Road appears at Malvern’s Festival Theatre from Monday, June 4 to Saturday, June 9.