Christmas farce

Press, 28 November 1984, Page 22

Christmas farce

The Court Theatre’s next production for the Christmas and holiday period will be an entertaining farce — “Charley’s Aunt,” by Brandon Thomas. “Charley’s Aunt” was first performed at the Royalty Theatre in London in 1892 where it ran for four years. Since then, it has been frequently performed by professionals and amateurs all over the world. In one year it was running simultaneously in 48 theatres in 22 different languages, including Chinese, Gaelic, Russian, Zulu, Esperanto and English. The play has been described as a classic example of pure farce. Set in the college gardens of Oxford, it has all the right ingredients of farce, a mistaken identity, unlikely coincidences, ridiculous chases and, of course, romance.

As “Babs,” the student forced to dress up as his friend’s aunt, is Tony Mack, who recently performed in

“The Cherry Orchard” and “Bent.” Geoffrey Wearing plays the miserly Mr Spettigue, panting his way around Oxford after the aunt. Babs’ friends, Jack and Charley, are played by Alastair Browning and Jeff Boyd. Their lady loves are played by Janet Fisher, Eilish Moran and a newcomer to the Court, Ruth Bijl, whom some may recognise from the latest Hertz advertisement on television. John Curry plays the ele-

gant Sir Francis Chesney which was the part originally played by the author of “Charte/s Aunt.” Yvonne Martin appears as the mysterious and Channing Mrs Beverley Smyth. Pamela Mating has designed the Victorian costumes, which are in tune with the summer season of the play. Tony Geddes has designed the set and Elric Hooper has directed the Play. “Charley’s Aunt” will open on December 8.