Dish of Tea with Dr Johnson

Out of Joint Presents: A Dish of Tea With Dr JohnsonIrritable, generous, seriously depressed yet a great wit: meet Samuel Johnson – poet, essayist and lexicographer. This evening of stories and conversation brings to life some of the most colourful figures of the eighteenth century.The host of characters bringing detail to this fascinating portrait includes biographer James Boswell, painter Joshua Reynolds, King George III, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s saviour Lady Flora MacDonald, and Mrs Thrale, the society hostess whowas Johnson’s final, unrequited love.‘With A Dish of Tea with Dr Johnson we return to the fascinating world of the great Dr Johnson. Until the middle of the 19th Century only the two patent houses, Drury Lane and Covent Garden, were permitted to present drama. So when Samuel Foote, Johnson’s contemporary, presented his evening of comic impersonations and vignettes it was billed as An Invitation to a Dish of Chocolate with Samuel Foote. From him we have purloined our title.’ - Max Stafford-Clark

Russell has worked as an actor for over ten years. he has worked extensively in film and theatre. He trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. His first play "Sisters, Such Devoted Sisters' was first performed at the Traverse in an Out of Joint production directed by Max Stafford Clark. It won the Carol Tambor/ Scotsman award for the best production at the Edinburgh Festival 2004, and when on to do two runs in London at the Drill Hall, and two runs off broadway. His recent plays include "Vantastic" and "Lobster" which were commissioned for Queer up North 2009. A double bill of "Vantastic" and "Lobster" was performed at the Oval House Theatre in Autumn 2009 He is a recipient of multiple awards from the Peggy Ramsay Foundation. Ian's appearances with Out of Joint include Shopping and Fucking, Our Country's Good, Some Explicit Polaroids, Rita, Sue and Bob Too, A State Affair, A Laughing Matter (in which he first played Doctor Johnson), She Stoops to Conquer and The Permanent Way, as well as extensive roster of roles in theatre, film and television. He was the founder and Artistic Director of Xenia Theatre Company.