Cast announced for Alan Ayckbourn’s
‘Bedroom Farce’ at The Mill at Sonning Theatre
The production reunites Director Robin Herford and Designer Michael Holt – the creative team behind The Woman in Black, which ran 33 years in the West End and 13 UK tours
Rhiannon Handy, Julia Hills, Damien Matthews, Ben Porter
Bedroom Farce
by Alan Ayckbourn
Director Robin Herford
1 August – 21 September
Filled with witty dialogue, cleverly constructed situations and Alan Ayckbourn’s signature blend of charm and chaos, Bedroom Farce is a roller-coaster ride of laughter, love, and lunacy.
Director Robin Herford, who most recently helmed How The Other Half Loves and Barefoot in the Park at The Mill at Sonning returns to direct Ayckbourn’s uproarious play – an hilarious and chaotic world of misunderstandings, mishaps and marital mayhem. Together with designer Michael Holt they were the creative team behind The Woman in Black, which ran 33 years in the West End and has completed 13 UK tours. Antony Eden, Damien Matthews and Ben Porter in the cast all starred in The Woman in Black.
Over one night we follow the comically entangled lives of four couples as they navigate an evening of bedroom hopping, heart-to-hearts, and tangled relationships.
Ernest and Delia, a middle-aged couple, are trying to celebrate their wedding anniversary in peace. Malcolm and Kate are dealing with a strained marriage and a malfunctioning bed. Newly engaged Jan and Nick find themselves in the middle of the chaos as they try to navigate the challenges of commitment. Troubled pair Trevor and Susannah are at the centre of the chaos as they meet the other couples, creating havoc wherever they go, leading to a side-splitting cascade of comic events.
Cast:
Georgia Burnell (Jan) was in Alan Ayckbourn’s Constant Companions, Truth Will Out, Family Album and The Girl Next Door (Stephen Joseph Theatre).
Allie Croker (Susannah) was in The Inquisition of Queen Elizabeth and Hitler On Trial (UK Tour), Much Ado About Nothing (Sun and Moon Theatre), Not Half Bard (Hotspur Theatre), Days of Wine and Roses and Around The World in Eighty Days (Theatre By The Lake).
Antony Eden (Malcolm) was in Welcome to The Family (Old Laundry Theatre), Family Album, (Stephen Joseph Theatre) for which he won Best Supporting Performance in a musical or a play at the UK Theatre awards, 2023, The Woman in Black (West End, National and international tour), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (West End), Ten Times Table (Mill at Sonning).
Stuart Fox (Ernest) previously appeared at The Mill at Sonning in How The Other Half Loves, Ten Times Table, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Educating Rita and Time of My Life.
Rhiannon Handy (Kate) was in 2:22 A Ghost Story (West End), Ten Times Table (UK Tour), The Comedy of Errors (RSC, UK Tour); The Jew of Malta, Love’s Sacrifice and Volpone (RSC); Gaslight, Ten Times Table, Improbable Fiction (The Mill at Sonning).
Julia Hills (Delia) is best known for playing Rona in eight series of the BBC’s 2 Point 4 Children and starring in the C4 comedy sketch show Who Dares Wins. She is an Olivier Award nominee (The Hired Man) and played Ruth in the original cast of Calendar Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre, UK Tour and West End. Theatre includes: Drop The Dead Donkey – The Reawakening (UK Tour), How The Other Half Loves (The Mill at Sonning), The Mirror Crack’d (UK Tour).
Damien Matthews (Nick) was in Sweet Bird of Youth (National Theatre), The Philadelphia Story (The Old Vic), The Mousetrap (St Martin’s), The Woman in Black (Fortune Theatre, UK & international tours).
Ben Porter (Trevor) was in The Indian Queen (Europe), The Woman in Black (West End, New York and US tour), 1984 (West End) Visitors (Oldham Coliseum), Time of My Life, Absurd Person Singular (Stephen Joseph Theatre), Orwell (Trafalgar Studios).
Creative team:
Director Robin Herford
Set Designer Michael Holt
Costume Designer Natalie Titchener
Lighting Designer Graham Weymouth
Sound Design The Mill at Sonning Technical Team
The Mill at Sonning Theatre
Set majestically on the banks of the River Thames, the Mill at Sonning Theatre is celebrating more than 40 years of entertainment. Uniquely, as one of the only dinner theatres in the United Kingdom, it has gained unrivalled praise both nationally and internationally, winning awards such as the 2023 UK Theatre Award Winner for the Best Musical Production for GYPSY, and The Most Welcoming Theatre 2016, 2017 and 2018. The intimate theatre seats 217. The elegant restaurant, separate from the theatre but within the premises, with views over the river Thames has the friendliest young staff of waiters and waitresses. A spinning waterwheel features in the gorgeous bar. Only a short taxi journey from the Elizabeth Line (Reading Station or Twyford Station), The Mill at Sonning Theatre is the perfect day trip from London. A two-course meal, coffee and tea, and a beautiful programme are included in the price of the tickets
LISTINGS INFO
Bedroom Farce
by Alan Ayckbourn
Directed Robin Herford
The Mill at Sonning Theatre
Sonning Eye
Reading
RG4 6TY
1 August – 21 September