Eat your heart out social media, this is where it all began. A stellar cast have scandalous fun in Sheridan’s raunchy comedy of celebrity gossip, ‘fake news’ and human vanity.
Summary
The play is introduced by Ian Hislop, Editor of Private Eye. Rosalind Ayres and Martin Jarvis direct an outstanding company in this brand-new production of Sheridan’s surprisingly up-to-date comedy. Written by the 27-year-old genius in 1777. Scandalmonger Lady Sneerwell controls a nest of gossipy vipers: Backbite, Crabtree, Snake, and two-faced Mrs Candour. Young Lady Teazle, bored by her elderly husband Sir Peter, has been lured into the circle too. What’s the latest? Which of the young Surface brothers is the good guy, and which the hypocrite? Rakish Charles or admired Joseph? Their Uncle Oliver puts them both to the test. Who deserves to win feisty Maria? Glittering performances. Wonderfully gossipy music specially composed by A-Mnemonic. Loads of wicked laughs in this sparkling new production. Can scandal ever die?
Stars
- Crabtree – Roger Allam
- Sir Oliver Surface – Hugh Bonneville
- Mrs Candour – Joanna Lumley
- Sir Benjamin Backbite – Mark Gatiss
- Lady Sneerwell – Lisa Dillon
- Lady Teazle – Susannah Fielding
- Sir Peter Teazle – Martin Jarvis
- Master Rowley – Nigel Anthony
- Joseph Surface – Joe Bannister
- Charles Surface – George Blagden
- Maria – Amy Morgan
- Snake – Ifan Meredith
- Mr Moses – Jon Glover
- Trip – Kieran Hodgson
- Careless/William – Simon de Deney
- Sir Harry – Richard Sisson
Production info.
Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
Violinist: Francesca Barritt
Specially composed music: A-Mnemonic
Sound Design: Mark Holden
Directed by Rosalind Ayres and Martin Jarvis