“Boucicault’s breathlessness acquires the unmistakable hue of brilliance.” The Daily Telegraph
“The incredulous plot and witty asides are full of comic mockery” The Stage
“McNulty is ferociously entertaining as Lady Spanker.” The Guardian
“A feast of enjoyment” Newbury Weekly News
“Charming and lively revival.” What’s On Stage
“There are fine performances all round in this well-cast production.” What’s On Stage
“Easy to see why this show was a hit of its day.”
The Oxford Times
Just what is it about the ravishing heiress Grace Harkaway that attracts the attentions of both the aging, self-deluded dandy Sir Harcourt Courtly and his rakish son Charles? Destined to be married for her money, Grace professes indifference to her fate. Her resolve to remain aloof begins to waiver, however, when Charles arrives at her country estate in the guise of “Augustus Hamilton”. Grace colludes with her cousin, the lusty Lady Gay Spanker, who undertakes to distract her seasoned suitor, leaving Grace free to pursue the object of her desire. The course of true love is further complicated by the scheming lawyer Mr Meddle and Charles’ shady friend, Richard Dazzle.
This witty and stylish, romantic comedy about misunderstandings and mistaken identity inspired the work of Oscar Wilde and a generation of aesthetes.
The cast
Ken Bradshaw, Mike Burnside, Robert Calvert, Clare Corbett, Nigel Hastings, Alan McMahon, Geraldine McNulty, Laurence Mitchell, Gerard Murphy, Vivien Reid, Christopher Ryan
Please note: there will be smoking on stage during the performance
Talk Back
Free talk back after the shows on Friday 11 and Friday 25 April.
First Week Special
All seats £12 until Friday 11 April (no other discounts apply)
Interpreted Performance
British Sign Language interpreted performance on Monday 21 April
Tickets
£12 to £21.50
Tour Dates & Venues
20 – 24 May
Oxford Playhouse
Box office: 01865 305 305
27 – 31 May
Cambridge Arts Theatre
Box office: 01223 503 333
3 – 7 June
Liverpool Playhouse
Box office: 0151 709 4776
10 – 14 June
Richmond Theatre
Box office: 0870 060 6651
17 – 21 June
Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Box office: 01483 440 000
24 – 28 June
Worthing’s Connaught Theatre
Box Office: 01903 206206
2 – 5 July
Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre
Box office: 01227 787 787
Monday to Friday at 7.30pm
Thursday and Saturday matinées at 2.30pm
No matinée on Thursday 10 April
Saturday 17 May performances at 1.30pm & 6.30pm
Directed by Nikolai Foster
Lighting by Guy Hoare
Music by Grant Olding