Four Farces: A hilarious evening of Victorian one-act farces, written by John Madison Morton, William E Suter and Joseph Stirling Coyne, will be directed by Jonathan Kemp at Wilton's Music Hall, 18th - 27th June. Press night: Tuesday 18th June, 7:30pm.
Duelling pistols, cross dressing, thwarted lovers, double-crossing, romance and intoxication are the order of the day when European Arts Company bring their evening of one-act Victorian farces to the grandeur and faded magnificence of Wilton's (the world's oldest surviving Grand Music Hall) to provide the perfect backdrop for this hilarious evening of short plays, by three of the best farce writers Victorian England had to offer.
There's more than a hint of Monty Python and The Goons to these hidden farcical gems, which have been touring the UK since April and will continue until July. Written between 1847 & 1860 Box and Cox, A Most Unwarrantable Intrusion (John Madison Morton), Wanted, A Young Lady (William E Suter) andDuel in the Dark written by Joseph Stirling Coyne (co-founder of Punch Magazine) take us back to a nearly forgotten era of theatrical conventions; from direct address, asides and pleading epilogue's European Arts Company whisks us back over 150 years and invites us to forget our worries for an hour or two.
The show stars celebrated farceur Richard Latham who in a long comic career has worked with Sir Brian Rix in his Whitehall Farces, with Mia Farrow at the RSC, as well as appearing alongside the great Alastair Sim in Sir Ian McKellen's production of The Clandestine Marriage, other cast members are Asta Parry (Nice Sally at Riverside Studios) and John O'Connor artistic director of European Arts Company.
It is directed by Jonathan Kemp who is currently starring in the UK stage production of Yes, Prime Minister! who says that 'These four unjustly neglected plays will give the audience a great insight into what made the Victorians' ribs tickle, as well as providing them with plenty of 21st century laughs and entertainment!'
The audience are of course invited to join in the fun and come wearing their Victorian best. Corsets and bonnets, caps and moustaches, feathers and fans all welcome and greatly encouraged!
Wilton's Music Hall is located in Graces Alley, London. Evening shows will run on the 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 25th, 26th, 27th June at 7:30 p.m., with press night set for Tuesday 18th June at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are £25 (Table Seats), £17.50, £12.50. Call the box office at 020 7702 2789 or visit www.wiltons.org.uk.
Following the production's run at Wilton's The Four Farces will head to the Royal borough of Greenwich where it will play for two performances at the Greenwich Theatre on the 4th & 5th July. Tickets for those shows are: £15, £10. Call the box office at 020 8858 7755 or visit http://www.greenwihtheatre.org.uk.
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