2008/2009 season
All shows are performed in the Somerset Hall, Portishead, and start at 7:30pm (Doors 7pm) unless otherwise stated.
About the plays
Early Ayckbourn at his inventive best!
The three couples involved in this complex comedy are Frank Foster and his wife, Fiona, who is having an affair with one of Frank's senior employees, Bob Phillips.
In order to cover his tracks, Bob leads his bored wife, Teresa, to believe that the third couple, William and Mary Featherstone, are having marital problems.
The single set is almost a seventh character as it conveys both the Fosters' middle-class home and the untidy, rather slovenly Phillips' living room, only delineated by differing furnishing styles.
The action culminates in a hilarious dinner party scene at which the Featherstones are guests in both residences simultaneously.
Now what is it about a play written in 1673 that might appeal both to a modern audience and me? The plot is about a man who gets a bit of cash together and tries to buy his way into the world of the posh people; he tries to have an affair with a celeb; and tries to marry off his daughter to an aristocrat who is in fact a rogue. Sounds familiar? You only have to read the papers.
Molière, the play's author, besides enjoying poking fun at the would be celebs and the real celebs also liked a bit of slapstick. Our hero gets his comeuppance in a suitable style and at the same time falls for a neat trick that allows his daughter to marry the man of her choice.
We're going to take a few leaps in time during the play and I'm sure that you will recognize some of the characters that appear. You might even feel a little sympathy for the man who wanted to be a celeb.
The story of Dick Whittington is well told by John Morley while being a mixture of stand-up comedy, music and dance. All the favourite characters are here, Tommy the Cat, Alice Fitzwarren, Sarah the Cook, King Rat, the Fairy of the Bells, and of course Dick himself.
This is family entertainment at its best; guaranteed to brighten the winter.
All seats bookable in advance, or on the door (subject to availability).
As well as the normal evening performances at7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) there is a matinee on Saturday 14th February in the afternoon at 2pm
(doors open at 1.30pm)
The title is a play on the word 'ghost' in both its spiritual and emotional meaning.
It is a comedy about the events that take place when a man, his wife, his ex wife, his current love and his first love are all in the same place at the same time.
Simon Williams has once again written a captivating quirky story, with strong characters, witty dialogue and situations of stress, chaos and hilarity
Last updated 22/07/2008
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