Alison Steadman stars in Alan Bennett's Enjoy
One of the UK’s best-loved and most prolific actresses Alison Steadman will be appearing in Alan Bennett’s comedy Enjoy at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 10 – 15 November.
Alan Bennett is without question one of Britain’s most loved and brilliant playwrights. Enjoy is a rarely performed gem by one of theatre’s greatest observers of the English way of life.
Written in 1980, Alan Bennett set this dark comedy in his home town of Leeds where an ageing couple are living in the city’s last back-to-back. With the demolition of the area in progress, Wilf and Connie are soon to be re-housed in a brand new maisonette with a waste disposal unit and non-slip vinyl flooring! When a sociologist comes to observe them in their daily life, normality takes a decidedly atypical turn…
Mam tries to show the "observer" that they are acting completely normally, while clearly not. She brings out the best china that they never use, an act brutally exposed by Dad. But this simple act of not doing what they normally do hides the fact that they really ARE an unusual family.
Everyone in the play isn’t what they first appear to be and that makes the whole experience thrilling and completely unpredictable. The whole production is laced with memorable Bennett one liners and numerous laugh out loud moments. But like all classic Bennett, one minute you’re laughing and the next you’re gasping in shock.
Alison Steadman will be playing Connie. On stage, she created the role of the monstrous Beverly in Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party, and starred in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, for which she won an Olivier Award. Her films include Shirley Valentine, Clockwise and A Private Function, and Mike Leigh’s Life Is Sweet and Topsy Turvy. Television work includes Fat Friends, Selling Hitler, The Singing Detective, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, and Pride and Prejudice. Her most recent TV appearances include The Worst Week of My Life, Gavin & Stacey and Fanny Hill.
David Troughton, who plays Wilf, comes from a theatrical family: he is the son of Doctor Who actor Patrick Troughton, elder brother of Michael Troughton, and father of both Sam Troughton and Warwickshire cricketer Jim Troughton. He is known for his many TV appearances such as New Tricks, Dr Who, Midsomer Murders, A Very Pecular Practice and Born and Bred to name but a few. His stage work is extensive having performed with the RSC and National Theatre.
Joining Alison and David in the cast is: Richard Glaves (Ms Craig), Josie Walker (Linda Craven), Mark Killeen (Heritage), Anthony (Peter McGovern), Julian Pindar (Gregory), Carol Macready (Mrs Clegg), John Gould (Adrian), Chris McCalphy (Sid), Jake Ferretti (Harman), James Parkes (Charles) and John Duffer (Rowland).
Enjoy is a Theatre Royal Bath production and is directed by Christopher Luscombe with design by Janet Bird, lighting by Paul Pyant and sound by Jason Barnes.
Listings Information
Enjoy
Monday 10 – Saturday 15 November
Performance Times: 7.30pm, apart from Monday 10 November at 7.00pm
Matinees at 2.00pm on Thursday 13 and Saturday 15 November
After Dark – free post-show discussion with the acting company: Wednesday 12 November
Spotlight – free pre-show talk: Friday 14 November
+ Permalink