It is 1976. Dennis tinkers in his garage, cheerfully indifferent to wife Vera’s impending breakdown. Marjorie hovers in the background, making tea and finding fault. Neil has planned a birthday surprise for his wife, but Pam doesn’t share his enthusiasm, preoccupied by frustrations of her own.
In perhaps his most emotionally charged play, Alan Ayckbourn masterfully evokes a world of hidden tensions and suppressed hostility. He skilfully navigates the tightrope between comedy and tragedy, guiding us towards a hilarious, yet chilling finale.
An Olivier and Tony Award winning playwright, Alan Ayckbourn’s ninety plays have been produced worldwide. Notable successes include: The Norman Conquests, Relatively Speaking, Bedroom Farce, A Chorus of Disapproval and Communicating Doors.
Following successful tours of Absent Friends (2015) and Absurd Person Singular (2020-2021), Alan Ayckbourn’s 1976 masterclass in suburban comedy and heartbreak will form the centrepiece of London Classic Theatre’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.
Directed by Michael Cabot.
Trailer
/"The beautifully tight way of working from all involved gives the play a brand-new lease of life"London Theatre 1
/"A fantastic production…the actors showed great skill"Fairy Powered Productions
/"London Classic Theatre have an enviable reputation for quality productions"The View From the Stage
/"A testament to London Classic Theatre’s commitment to bringing classic works to life with fresh insight"Theatre Weekly
/"An evening of strong performances, really stylish design choices, and deeply relatable British dysfunction"Stageside UK
/"A sharp mix of domestic comedy and creeping emotional disquiet"Theatre & Tonic
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