Comic Potential at Christopher Newport University

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Authors

• Alan Ayckbourn

It's a small step from comic lessons to love, or it is, at least, for TV actoid Jacie and television writer Adam. Set in the future, where human actors have been replaced by robotic actoids, Jacie captures Adam's heart with her unusual grasp of comedy - especially the old ‘pie-in-face' routine. Under the threat of being scrapped by high-powered TV exec Carla Pepperbloom, Jacie and Adam go on the lam, only to be tracked down and returned to the TV station. In the end, it's Jacie who gets the upper-hand but will she wield her power any better than her predecessor?

"Comic Potential" premiered with critical and popular acclaim at the Stephen Joseph Theatre (Scarborough, England) in 1998, with Janie Dee in the challenging role of Jacie, the actoid. The production moved to London's Lyric Theatre in 1999, with Dee remaining in the role. She received the three prestigious awards for ‘Best Actress' at the Lawrence Olivier Awards, the London Evening Standard Awards and the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards, a remarkable feat only achieved previously by Dame Judi Dench. The production moved to the Manhattan Theatre Club in New York where Dee garnished an Obie Award, a Theatre World Award, a Lucille Lortel Nomination, Drama League Citation and Drama Desk Nomination for 'Best Actress'.