Red Peppers / Aged in Wood at Theatre at the Tabard

OnBook Theatre presents

“Red Peppers” by Noel Coward and “Aged in Wood” by Cian Griffin

Set in a theatre dressing room in 1936, “Red Peppers” is one of Noel Coward’s most celebrated comic one act plays. The play depicts a second-rate music hall double act, a husband and wife team, who perform two musical numbers, in between which they bicker in their dressing room and quarrel with colleagues. The original production, starring Coward and Gertrude Lawrence played in a pre-London tour, and then the West End, and finally New York, in 1936–1937. Red Peppers has been revived periodically and has been adapted for the cinema and television.

“Aged in Wood” is set in the very same theatre dressing room but in present day. 89 years have passed, but backstage antics in the world of theatre haven’t changed much. Leading lady, Deena Ames, faces an uphill battle after a disastrous opening night. An hour before curtain, she finds herself swept up in backstage drama with agents, directors, her leading man, an ex-husband and her wilful son in another comedic play very much in the style of Noel Coward. This new play by Cian Griffin is having it’s world premiere at The Tabard.

This unique production uses the same cast of six actors, each playing different parts in each play.

Directed by Jason Moore.

“Red Peppers” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk