When We Are Married (Oberon Modern Plays)

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Simon Higlett's lovingly-recreated sitting room, where all the action takes place, got a well-deserved round of applause when the curtain went up. And Christopher Luscmbe's excellent direction ensures there's space for both the characterisations and Priestley's dialogue to shine. Special mention must go to Kat Rose-Martin as Ruby Birtle, the Helliwells’ untidy 15 year old maid, with her complete inability to state anything but the truth on all occasions. Her timing is exemplary, and this audience completely fell in love with her. There's also excellent support from Jodie McNee as the chirpy maid from Rotherham; Lynda Baron as the cook/ housekeeper who listens at keyholes and treats her employers with open contempt; and Roy Hudd is photographer Henry Ormonroyd who has more interest in alcohol than taking snaps.

When We Are Married is a comedy by the English dramatist J. B. Priestley. Written in 1934, [1] it was first performed in London at the St. Martin's Theatre, London, on 11 October 1938. It transferred to the larger Prince's Theatre in March 1939 and ran until 24 June of that year. [2] Plot [ edit ] The hosts of the party are Alderman Joseph Helliwell (Mark Stratton) and Maria Helliwell (Geraldine Fitzgerald), and the third couple is the Soppitts – submissive Herbert (Steve Huison) and the dictatorial Clara (Kate Anthony).

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The bombshell about the illegal marriages was delivered with barely suppressed glee by the new la-di-dah organist (Danny Washington) and this ‘right to-do’ allowed the audience to see the fault-lines and power plays in the three central relationships. In the heart of Northern England, three respectable couples, married on the same day, at the same church, and by the same vicar, join to celebrate 25 years of blissful matrimony. Or so they think. Joan Sydney: Neighbours and A Country Practice star dies at 83". BBC News. 6 January 2023 . Retrieved 6 January 2023. Female lead was taking advantage of SML till the end… like Girl he confessed to you already yet you keep talking to him as if nothing happened and even accepting extra helps from him…

Set designers Carolyn and David Garwes with their construction team created an Edwardian sitting room perfectly: aspidistras, antimacassars, velvet curtains and sepia photographs conveyed an image of prosperous respectability, cushioned from the world outside. The costumes complemented the set, giving an impression of starched, buttoned-up formality, creating a sense that keeping up appearances is of prime importance. The publication of English Journey in 1934 emphasised Priestley's concern for social problems and the welfare of ordinary people. The acting ...on point in most cases ...the third couple storyline was neither interesting nor fresh and I mostly skipped through them ….our main couple ...with a fairly high share of screen time ...do deliver and ...our second leads ….yep they do fit their roles perfectly ….but sadly do feel a bit underdeveloped …! Hope Amateur Dramatic Independent Theatre (HADIT) provided laughs galore in their production of J.B. Priestley’s well-loved comedy, When We Are Married, writes Margaret Coupe.Ran Xiwei ( Zhong Li li ) — Her outfits were on another level. I would like to have some of them in my wardrobe ;)…… well She acts nicely. Infact, great. After all, it's never easy to act an annoying character… Priestley, J. B. (1938). When We Are Married: A Yorkshire Farcical Comedy (French's actinged.). London: Samuel French. ISBN 0-573-01476-0. There isn't a dud performance in the ranks and this venerable play still delivers the comic goods with engaging panache." What's new? there's accidental kisses (too many of them), wrist grabs with long pause, constantly looking at each other moments (and me be like "Let's skip 30 sec" the same thing is still going on "Oh no! Let's skip more………" ) and ta-da this is how they fell in love, a bitch yet Beautiful looking 2nd female lead who plans obstacles, then ML saving FL like some superhero, the good 2nd male lead (who will never get the girl **actually sad for him** )… again what's new!? After the war Priestley continued his writing, and his work invariably provoked thought, and his views were always expressed in his blunt Yorkshire style.

Mo Zixian ( Ian Yi ) — I hope they gave him a different suit lol. He was literally repeating the same suit in the whole drama. He had a good role here & his acting compliments it. I wish to see him in a lead role someday… Even though there were loopholes with the story yet the chemistry between Main leads felt real in some scenes… I guess it's their acting…In November 1938, When We Are Married became the first play to be televised unedited from a theatre when the BBC relayed the complete performance between 8.30 and 10.50 pm on 16 November. [7] Gu Xixi ( played by Uvin Wang ) — Not having much to say about her. I think the way her role is… she didn't stand out much in the drama. She didn't impress me or disappoint me. The other prize role is that of the tipsy local photographer, Henry Ormonroyd; and Roy Hudd now brings to it a lifetime of music-hall expertise. With his too short trousers and his overlong sleeves, he looks like a Cruikshank caricature. And merely to see him making a rhino-like charge through a doorway with an extended tripod or essaying drunkenly balletic steps to the tune of Dear Old Pals is to be reminded of the pleasures of vaudevillian physical comedy. Set in a prosperous woollen town in Yorkshire's West Riding, 'When We Are Married' is a comedy which has stood the test of time relatively well. Now a septuagenarian, it's as much a historical piece as a comedy, but it's also one of those plays that has actors fighting for parts because of the richness of the characters, and the riches to be found in Priestley's unique concept and nimble dialogue. This fine ensemble make the most of every moment. Maureen Lipman as Clara Soppitt employs her exceptional comic timing to great effect as her mousey husband (Sam Kelly) suddenly finds his voice and exerts his authority. Simon Rouse's bombastic Councillor Parker has to rethink his marital stance as his initially meek wife Annie (Michele Dotrice) bluntly tells him that he's not only "pompous, dull and stingy" but also "very, very dreary". And David Horovitch's Alderman Helliwell finds his temper strained as his better half Maria (played by Susie Blake) threatens to leave him and the drudgery she endures in running the household.