The 25th Anniversary Production of WIFE BEGINS AT FORTY

The Playhouse Entertainment Group have announced their 25^th Anniversary Production of one of Ray Cooney’s best loved and best known Comedies

At the age of 37, Linda Harper is already starting to worry about the approach of her fortieth birthday. She is dissatisfied spiritually and physically with her seventeen-year marriage to the slightly staid George, and following a drunken night during which George recounts passionate stories involving a flamenco dancer and a grand piano, she decides that it might finally be time to leave. In the end it is George who moves out in order to give Linda a chance to “find herself” through a variety of courses including everything from aerobics to sculpting.

When George returns to the family home a few weeks later to sort out maintenance arrangements he and Linda discover that the flames of passion are not quite dead…. They are just in need of a little fanning!

Wife Begins At Forty stars Vicki Michelle probably best known for her portrayal of Yvette in all nine series of the iconic BBC show Allo Allo which has gained her worldwide recognition. Michelle has also firmly established herself as a leading musical performer with roles as diverse as Miss Hannigan in Annie and Mona Stangley in The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. She appears regularly in Emmerdale as flamboyant Patricia Foster and, more recently, returned to her dramatic roots to star as Ray Winstone’s wife Emma, in the controversial film All in the Game.

Joining Michelle is stage and screen legend Trevor Bannister whom has had a varied career playing everything from Shakespeare to farce. Best known for his role as Mr Lucas in the highly successful Are You Being Served? but recent television appearances include Silent Witness and Keeping up Appearances and the part of Toby in Last of the Summer Wine. Bannister has performed around the world from Australia to the Middle East and his filmwork includes Hostage with Sam Neil, The Doomsday Gun, The Indiana Jones Chronicles and Captain Jack with Bob Hoskins.

Mark Curry will also join Michelle and Bannister, a favourite presenter on children’s television for many years including such shows as The Saturday Picture Show, Record Breakers and Blue Peter. Curry’s theatre credits include Woman In Black, Noises Off, Far From The Madding Crowd and, most recently he played The Compere in Victoria Wood’s Talent at The Menier Chocolate Factory and The Narrator in the UK Tour of The Rocky Horror Show. His Television roles include Kevin in Last Of The Summer Wine and Michael Marsden in Doctors (both for the BBC).

Wife Begins At Forty also stars Anita Graham, Brian Godfrey and Damian Hunt.

Ray Cooney said when he heard about the production “I’m often asked which is my favourite of all the plays I’ve written and my answer is “whichever one I’m working on at the moment”. However! I do have a soft spot for Wife Begins At Forty. I’m thrilled to bits that it’s being revived – so, for the moment, it’s definitely my favourite play. Enjoy”

The National Tour will open at the magnificent Grand Theatre, Blackpool on Tuesday 27 April and run until Saturday 1 May. The production will then continue across the UK. This guaranteed laugh-a-minute production is one not to miss!

Visit www.wifebeginsatforty.co.uk

Tour Dates

Grand Theatre, Blackpool
Tuesday, 27th April to Saturday, 1st May
Evening – 8.00pm (Tues 27th), 7.30 (Weds – Sat), Matinee – 2.00pm (Thurs & Sat)
Box Office 01253 290 190
www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond (N. Yorks)
Tuesday, 4th to Saturday 8th May
Evening – 7.30pm, Matinee – 2.30pm (Sat)
Box Office 01748 825 252
www.geaorgiantheatreroyal.co.uk

Camberley Theatre, Camberley
Thursday, 20th to Saturday 22nd May
Evening – 7.45pm, Matinee – 2.30pm (Sat)
Box Office 01276 707 600
www.camberleytheatre.biz

Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
Monday, 24th to Saturday, 29th May
Evening – 7.30pm, Matinee – 2.00pm (Weds and Sat)
Box Office 01284 769 505
www.theatreroyal.org

Harlequin Theatre, Redhill
Tuesday, 1st to Wednesday 2nd June
Evenings 7.45pm
Box Office 01737 276 500
www.harlequintheatre.co.uk

Pier Theatre, Bournemouth
Friday, 4th to Sunday, 6th June
Evenings 8.00pm
Box Office 0844 847 2391 (Ticketmaster), 0844 576 3000 (Theatre ticketline)
www.thebournemouthpier.com

Theatre Royal, St Helens
Tuesday, 8th to Saturday 12th June
Evening – 7.30pm, Matinee – 2.30pm (Weds and Sat)
Box Office 01744 756 000
www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
Monday, 14th to Saturday19th June
Evening – 7.30pm, Matinee – 2.30pm (Weds and Sat)
Box Office 01743 281 281
www.theatresevern.co.uk

Victoria Theatre, Halifax
Monday, 21st to Tuesday, 22nd June
Evenings 7.30pm
Box Office 01422 351 158
www.victoriatheatre.co.uk

Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa
Thursday, 24th to Saturday 27th June
Evening – 7.30pm, Matinee – 2.30pm (Sun)
Box Office 01926 334 418
www.royal-spa-centre.co.uk

Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke
Tuesday, 29th June to Saturday, 3rd July
Evening – 7.30pm, Matinee – 2.00pm (Thurs and Sat)
Box Office 01256 844 244
www.anvilarts.co.uk

Lyceum Theatre, Crewe
Monday, 5th to Saturday, 10th July
Evening – 7.30pm, Matinee – 2.30pm (Sat)
Box Office 01270 537 333
www.lyceumtheatre.net

Malvern Theatres, Malvern
Monday, 12th to Saturday, 17th July
Evening – 8.00pm, Matinee – 2.30pm (Weds & Sat)
Box Office 01684 892 277
www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

Palace Theatre, Newark
Wednesday, 21st July to Saturday, 24th July
Evenings 7.30pm
Box Office 01636 655 755
www.palacenewark.com

Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl
Wednesday, 28th to Saturday, 31st July
Evening – 7.30pm, Matinee – 2.30pm (Sat)
Box Office 01745 33 00 00
www.rhylpavilion.co.uk

Ray Cooney:

CHASE ME COMRADE by Ray Cooney
RUN FOR YOUR WIFE by Ray Cooney
TWO INTO ONE by Ray Cooney
OUT OF ORDER by Ray Cooney
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY by Ray Cooney
FUNNY MONEY by Ray Cooney
WIFE BEGINS AT FORTY by Arne Sultan, Earl Barrett, & Ray Cooney
BANG BANG BEIRUT by Ray Cooney and Tony Hilton
ONE FOR THE POT by Ray Cooney and Tony Hilton
WHY NOT STAY FOR BREAKFAST? by Gene Stone and Ray Cooney
MY GIDDY AUNT  by Ray Cooney and John Chapman
MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM by Ray Cooney and John Chapman
NOT NOW DARLING by Ray Cooney and John Chapman
THERE GOES THE BRIDE by Ray Cooney and John Chapman

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