The Duck House, a new comedy starring Ben Miller to open at The Vaudeville Theatre on 10 December
By: Robert Diamond Sep. 16, 2013
Ben Miller leads an all-star cast in the West End premiere of The Duck House, an outrageous new comedy set in a world of dodgy receipts, dodgier deceit, and pure Parliamentary panic. Opening at the Vaudeville Theatre on 10th December 2013, with previews from Wednesday 27th November following a five week UK tour, The Duck Housealso stars Olivier Award Winning Actress Nancy Carroll, Debbie Chazen, James Musgrave,Simon Shepherd and Diana Vickers. Tony and Olivier Award winner Terry Johnson directs this hilarious political satire from two writers who've been making fun of politicians for decades: Dan Patterson and Colin Swash.
May 2009. Gordon Brown's Government is in meltdown and a General Election is just one year away. Labour backbencher Robert Houston (Ben Miller) loves being an MP and will do anything to save his seat - including change sides. All is going well with his switch from red to blue until, on the eve of his final interview with Sir Norman Cavendish (Simon Shepherd), a Tory grandee, the Expenses Scandal breaks.
As public fury mounts over taxpayers' millions being frittered away on second homes, hanging baskets, moat-cleaning and duck houses, Robert and his secretarial staff, aka wife Felicity (Nancy Carroll), student son Seb (James Musgrave), Seb's girlfriend Holly (Diana Vickers) and Russian housekeeper Ludmilla (Debbie Chazen) find themselves in big, big trouble.
Ben Miller said:
"They say that comedy equals tragedy plus time, and traumatic as the expense scandal was hopefully we can all now have a bloody good laugh about it. And if any MPs don't like it they can always claim for it on expenses."
Authors Dan Patterson and Colin Swash said:
"it is a real treat to hear such a brilliant cast performing the lines. Between the two of us we have written topical jokes for TV for over fifty years, but there aren't usually enough on one subject to make a play. MP's expenses were - as the MP's also found - the gift that keeps on giving".
Producer Nica Burns said:
"This wickedly funny play delights in having a good laugh at the expense of our politicians - whilst inspiring serious debate about the underlying issues which affect us all."
The Duck House is produced in the West End by Nica Burns, TC Beech, Charles Diamond, Neil Eckersley, Ian Lenagan and Max Weitzenhoffer in association with the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
PERFORMANCE DETAILS AND BOX OFFICE INFO
Vaudeville Theatre, 404 Strand, London WC2R 0NH
Booking number: 0844 412 4663
Performance Times : Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday at 3pm
Dates : 27th November 2013 to 29th March 2014
Ticket Prices : £20, £35, £45.50, £49.50. Premium seats available with a free hanging basket.
Tour Dates
Guildford Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Wednesday 23rd October - Saturday 2nd November
Malvern Theatres
Monday 4th - Sat 9th November
Nottingham Theatre Royal
Monday 11th - Saturday 16th November
Cambridge Arts Theatre
Monday 18th - Saturday 23rd
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