Absent Friends offers Ayckbourn fun in Eastbourne

A spokesman said: “This latest production, from producers phil&ben, stays faithful to this classic comedy promising all the 1970s social nuances and trademark toe-curling humour.

“Of his 89 full length plays, Absent Friends remains an Ayckbourn favourite with new and returning audiences alike. It is a great example of his wry wit and his sense of the humour in awkward scenarios. The drama unfolds when Colin, a friend who has been absent, comes back to his circle of friends and they are worried about how to approach him over the death of his fiancée, Carol, who has drowned. Diana organis es a tea party for Colin's arrival. Interrelationship tensions soon become apparent and are near erupting when Colin arrives, heightening the tension when they all work to appear friendly towards him. The party progresses while the middle-aged friends reveal the misery and failure of their own relationships. As it turns out, the mourning guest Colin becomes the one responsible for comforting everyone else. The play, set firmly in the 1970s, beautifully depicts nostalgia, lovelessness and social awkwardness and weaves them all together with some of Ayckbourn’s sharpest dialogue to hilarious effect. The production is the first of three phil&ben productions coming to the Devonshire Park this summer. The production team have been responsible for hit shows including Don’t Dress for Dinner and Boeing Boeing previously at the Devonshire Park.”

Cast includes; Rob Maloney, most recently seen in the Bridgerton spin-off Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story as Paul, Lucy Trodd, founding member of the Olivier Award winning Showstopper!, is Diana, Paul Westwood (My Fair Lady) takes the role of John, Lucy-Jane Quinlan (Made You Look) is Evelyn, Ben Roddy (Dame Of The Year at The Great British Pantomime awards 2017, Around the World in 80 Days) plays Colin and Katy Dean (Emmerdale) is Marge.

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