Ten Years On, Mark Little Defends Caveman Again

A decade after he made his West End debut in Defending the Caveman (See News, 3 Feb 1999), Australian comedian and television presenter Mark Little (pictured) will reprise his role in the Olivier Award-winning one-man comedy, with a limited five-week season from 6 February to 15 March 2009 (previews from 3 February) at the Leicester Square Theatre (formerly The Venue).

Why do men and women misunderstand each other? The answer can be traced back to the caveman. Defending the Caveman catalogues the instantly recognisable traits that separate men and women and brings the historical ‘battle of the sexes’ bang up to date. But, although it highlights differences, the play’s underlying message is that, from these, “springs the potential for bridge-building rather than potential warfare”.

Defending the Caveman was created, and initially performed, by Rob Becker in San Francisco in 1991 and since then, it has been endorsed by Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus author John Gray and seen by over five million people worldwide. The play had its West End premiere, starring Mark Little, at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue in February 1999 after which it launched a UK tour.

Little first came to the British public’s attention as Joe Mangel in the Australian soap opera Neighbours, which he followed up on UK television with presenting stints on the like of The Big Breakfast. In addition to his own stand-up shows, Little’s stage credits include Boy George musical Taboo (at the same address), Safari Party, Love’s Labour’s Lost, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and A Chorus of Disapproval. On film, he’s appeared in Blackball and Evil Angels.

Defending the Caveman is directed by Cath Farr and produced by Norwell Lapley Productions Ltd & Theater Mogul. Prior to London, it will run for two nights only at the Pavilion Theatre Worthing on 28 and 29 January 2009.

– by Terri Paddock