Northern classic for the Arundel Players

J B Priestley's northern comedy When We Are Married is the next production from the Arundel Players.
When We Are Married                     photo by Rosey PurchaseWhen We Are Married                     photo by Rosey Purchase
When We Are Married photo by Rosey Purchase

Directed by Tony Hudson, the show opens at The Priory Playhouse Theatre in Arundel on Monday, April 3 and runs for six nights until Saturday, April 8.

Tony, who is directing his first play for Arundel Players, said: “This is a beautifully-written, classic comedy and is a popular play that has stood the test of time.”

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The year is 1908 and three couples, the Helliwells, (Liz Lawrence and Roger Booth); the Parkers (Deborah Addicott and Andy Horner) and the Soppitts (Gill Lambourn and Andre Bougard) gather at Alderman Helliwell’s home to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversaries, and the fact that they were all married on the same day, in the same church by the same parson.

During the celebrations, despised as a la-di-da Southerner, the new chapel organist (Jamie Potts) arrives with information that shocks them all. He tells them that the parson who married them was not authorised to conduct weddings, so they are not legally married.

Listening to this socially-embarrassing news is the wickedly-destructive housekeeper, Mrs Northrup (Muriel Carnegie), who hopes to use the couples’ mortification to her own advantage.

Tony said: “Being pillars of the chapel and the local society, the couples cannot believe they have been living in sin for the past 25-years.

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“The anniversary celebrations are brought to a sudden halt by the shocking revelation.

“The couples react with Victorian horror at the news they have just heard, which opens a can of worms, and they start to re-evaluate their marriages, and comic mayhem erupts.

“The play continues with more humour and general confusion when the rather drunk local paper photographer, played by David Bennett, together with his reporter from the Yorkshire Argus (Peter Hall) arrive at the house to record the happy wedding anniversary celebrations for posterity.”

Cast and crew are confident it will all go down a storm in Arundel.

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“This well-written comedy of misunderstanding and mayhem will provide The Priory Playhouse Theatre audiences with an evening of laughter and surprises.”

Other members of the 14-strong cast include Angela Barber, Amy Clayton, Julie Waite and Steven Jupp. The Edwardian costumes have been specially designed and created by Pat Moss.

Performances start at 7.30pm; tickets are £12 and are available from the Arundel Players box office on 07523 417 926. Alternatively go to www.arundelplayers.org.uk and follow the link to Ticketsource and book tickets online.

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