Audiences are in for some comic relief as The Playhouse Theatre Hottentots Holland Drama Society presents London Suite to their Somerset West-stage this month.
The show dates and times are as follows: Sunday 22 January at 14:30; Wednesday 25 January, Thursday 26 January and Friday 27 January at 20:00; and Saturday 28 January at 14:30 and 18:30.
Written by Pulitzer Prize winner, Neil Simon, London Suite follows suit to his earlier plays California Suite and Plaza Suite.
This time Simon crosses the Atlantic for a suite of hilarious comedies set in a deluxe London hotel, a sedate place until these couples check in. Audiences can expect to laugh at the comedy, enjoy the farce, be moved by the romance, and sympathize with the conflicts.
The production consists of four one-act plays: The first, Settling Accounts, tells the story of Brian, a successful author who has caught Billy, his manager, trying to run off with his money.
The second, Going Home, tells the story of Sharon and Lauren Semple, a mother and daughter on a shopping trip. Lauren convinces her mother to go on a date with an older gentleman they met on the plane.
The third story is about Diana and Sidney, a divorced couple; she is a very successful actress, and he is living with his male lover. He claims to want to borrow money to help his partner who is dying of cancer.
The last play, Man on the Floor, tells the story of Mark and Ann Ferris, in London to watch Wimbledon. Their plans are put on hold when they lose the tickets, Mark’s back gives out and they are to move suites as they have accidentally been given the wrong suite.
Neil Simon has a keen insight to the human condition. He can make an audience laugh, or cry, at the drop of a hat.
The production is directed by Lindsey Small and produced by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd. London.
Tickets are available from Computicket at R70 and R100.
For more information contact Lindsey on 076 314 8968; 082 678 9077, ann.ctz@gmail.com; or visit www.theplayhouse.org.za.
