Synopsis
Comedy with music Alan Ayckbourn, Music by John Pattison Characters: 5 males, 3 females Scenery: Exterior The reigning king of English comedy strikes off in a new direction with this gleeful fantasy.
A couple is preparing for an al fresco party while their hapless ex son in law is holed up in their summer house, drinking off his divorce while he completes illustrations for a new edition of Beauty and the Beast.
When he conjures Belle to life and she appears in the garden unable to understand English unless it is sung, her fantastical presence wreaks havoc with the all too real lives around her.
The story develops into a cliff hanger when the Beast also appears and carries off the strident ex wife.
This outrageously comic battle of the sexes delightfully illustrates the disparity between romantic ideals and earthly reality, proving once again that true love is impossible but necessary.
"It is almost impossible not to be seduced by this fanciful flight of the imagination."
Daily Telegraph.
"A masterpiece in plot design with some marvelous characters."
Stage & TV Today.
Themes
Performance
Cast
A medium cast size of 8 total roles, 3 female and 5 male roles.
