Five birthdays. Two unhappy marriages. One possessive mother.
It is 1976. Dennis tinkers in his garage, cheerfully indifferent to wife Vera’s impending breakdown. Marjorie hovers in the background, making tea and finding fault. Neil has planned a birthday surprise for his wife, but Pam doesn’t share his enthusiasm, preoccupied by frustrations of her own.
In perhaps his most emotionally charged play, Alan Ayckbourn masterfully evokes a world of hidden tensions and suppressed hostility. He skilfully navigates the tightrope between comedy and tragedy, guiding us towards a hilarious, yet chilling finale.
An Olivier and Tony Award winning playwright, Alan Ayckbourn’s ninety plays have been produced worldwide. Notable successes include The Norman Conquests, Relatively Speaking, Bedroom Farce, A Chorus of Disapproval and Communicating Doors.
Following successful tours of Absent Friends (2015) and Absurd Person Singular (2020-21), Alan Ayckbourn’s 1976 masterclass in suburban comedy and heartbreak will form the centrepiece of London Classic Theatre’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.
‘A master of comic ingenuity’ The Guardian
Tickets: £15.00 - £33.00
Concessions: £2.00 off
Group Discounts: £2.00 off for ten or more
Under 26s Go Free
"The beautifully tight way of working from all involved gives the play a brand-new lease of life..."
— Sascha Cooper, LondonTheatre1
"A fantastic production…the actors showed great skill..."
— Carly Burlinge, Fairy Powered Productions
"London Classic Theatre have an enviable reputation for quality productions..."
— Pete Phillips, The View From The Stalls
"A testament to London Classic Theatre’s commitment to bringing classic works to life with fresh insight..."
— Greg Stewart, Theatre Weekly
"evening of strong performances, really stylish design choices, and deeply relatable British dysfunction..."
— Jonathan Harper, Stageside UK
"A sharp mix of domestic comedy and creeping emotional disquiet..."
— Theatre & Tonic
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